ObjectiveWith the extensive use of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are frequently detected in water environments, and the associated health risks of water quality have attracted increasing attention. Traditional wastewater treatment processes are ineffective in removing these contaminants, making ultraviolet (UV)-advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) a research hotspot, particularly regarding their potential to reduce ARGs in water environments.MethodsThis paper reviews the combinations of UV with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), persulfate (PS), chlorine (Cl₂), Fenton reagent, and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which have achieved effectively removal of ARGs to various degrees. It focuses on analyzing their working principles, reduction mechanisms, and reduction effects, and further discusses how different UV-AOPs processes generate highly reactive oxygen species [such as hydroxyl radicals (·OH), sulfate radicals ($S{O}_4^{·-}$)] to disrupt cell surfaces and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structures, thereby inactivating bacteria and eliminating ARGs.ResultsAmong them, the UV/H₂O₂ process utilizes hydroxyl radicals (·OH) to degrade ARGs, UV/PS exhibits a broader pH range of applicability, UV/Cl₂ enhances ARGs removal through the photolysis of Cl₂ to generate reactive species, UV/Fenton reactions generate a large amount of ·OH with high removal efficiency, and UV/TiO₂ inhibits the spread of ARGs through photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species. By comparing the application effects in different water environments, the article explores the advantages and disadvantages of these processes and their feasibility in practical applications. The results show that although UV-AOPs demonstrate significant effects in reducing ARGs in water environments, the degradation efficiency of different processes is influenced by various factors such as water quality conditions, oxidant dosages, and process configuration.ConclusionOverall, UV-AOPs represent a promising water treatment technology that provides an effective mean for reducing ARGs. However, in practical applications, further research is needed on the synergistic effects of different processes and how to optimize various parameters to improve treatment efficiency and ensure stable performance in variable water environments, while minimizing potential secondary pollution. This aims to provide technical references for water environment protection and public health safety.