%X Response surface methodology was used to optimize the Fenton treatment of amoxicillin and cloxacillin antibiotic aqueous solution. Under optimum operating conditions (hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/chemical oxygen demand (COD) molar ratio 2, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio 76, and reaction time 90 min at pH 3), 78.98, 72.96, and 81.18 removal of COD, total organic carbon, and ammonia-nitrogen, respectively were achieved. Experimental removal efficiency and model prediction were in close agreement (<0.4 error). Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated degradation of the beta-lactam bond of the antibiotics. Biodegradability (BOD5/COD ratio) improved from zero to 0.33, indicating that Fenton treated antibiotic aqueous solution was amenable to biological treatment. © 2013 Balaban Desalination Publications. All rights reserved. %K ammonia; antibiotics; aqueous solution; biochemical oxygen demand; biodegradation; chemical oxygen demand; FTIR spectroscopy; hydrogen peroxide; iron; nitrogen; optimization; pollutant removal; reaction kinetics; total organic carbon; water treatment %D 2014 %R 10.1080/19443994.2013.794015 %N 10-12 %O cited By 15 %J Desalination and Water Treatment %L scholars5436 %T Optimization of Fenton treatment of amoxicillin and cloxacillin antibiotic aqueous solution %I Desalination Publications %V 52 %A A.C. Affam %A M. Chaudhuri %P 1878-1884