## 1 Introduction
Pressure-driven membranes such as nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) achieve >95% rejection for a broad spectrum of antibiotics and can cut ARG concentrations by up to 99.8%. However, brine management, high specific energy demand, and rapid fouling by manure colloids restrict their application at full scale [28; 29]. Among chemical oxidation routes, UV/H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\) has removed 91% of sulfamonomethoxine at a near-neutral pH of 6.7-6.9, while the photo-Fenton process has mineralized \(\geq\)97% of macrolides within 30 min. Both methods, nevertheless, require strict pH control and continuous reagent addition, and produce iron-rich sludge [30; 31]. These studies show that physicochemical approaches can outperform independent biological steps for selected antibiotics, but each carries trade-offs in cost, by-product generation, and operational complexity. Considering these challenges, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as promising solutions for the degradation of micro-pollutants. Among these, ozone (O\({}_{3}\)) oxidation has gained attention for its potent and broad-spectrum oxidative capabilities. Ozone reacts with organic molecules through two main mechanisms: direct oxidation by molecular O\({}_{3}\) and indirect oxidation via highly reactive radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals (\(\bullet\)OH). During ozonation, these radicals can non-selectively degrade a wide range of organic contaminants, including many antibiotics [32]. Previous research has demonstrated that ozone-based treatments can break down antibiotic compounds into smaller, less harmful molecules, reducing both their direct toxicity and the ecological risks associated with antibiotic-laden effluents. Furthermore, recent findings suggest that ozonation might help mitigate ARGs by damaging the genetic material that encodes their antibiotic resistance traits, lowering the potential for HGT in downstream environments [33]. Despite promising findings, several knowledge gaps remain regarding the efficacy of ozone oxidation in treating swine wastewater specifically. Most existing studies on ozone-based treatment have been conducted under controlled laboratory conditions or with synthetic wastewater formulations [34; 35]. Although these approaches are informative, they do not fully capture the complexity and variability of real swine wastewater, which is often characterized by high organic loads, suspended solids, variable pH, and diverse chemical constituents. These factors can significantly influence ozone's oxidation efficiency. Additionally, while some research has evaluated the cost-effectiveness of ozone systems for municipal or industrial wastewater, fewer studies have focused on their feasibility and scalability for swine wastewater treatment operations [36]. Given these complexities and the urgency of the antibiotic resistance problem, this study aims to evaluate the effects of integrating an ozone oxidation process into a full-scale swine wastewater treatment plant. We focus on measuring how well this treatment process enables operators to remove residual antibiotics and ARGs. By performing comprehensive water quality analyses, quantifying residual antibiotic concentrations, and examining ARG profiles at multiple stages of treatment, we seek to elucidate the potential of ozone oxidation as a robust measure against antibiotic pollution. The insights gained will inform practical strategies to mitigate the environmental dissemination of resistant bacteria, thus contributing to a broader global effort to safeguard public health and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics. Moreover, the findings may guide the development of scalable, robust, and adaptive treatment technologies that can be applied beyond swine operations in standardized treatment approaches.