Environmental Science › Pollution

Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Works Count: 52216

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This cluster of papers focuses on the occurrence, impact, and removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments and wastewater. It explores the presence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic contaminants, as well as their effects on microbial communities and ecological systems. The cluster also delves into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, horizontal gene transfer, and the environmental risks associated with antibiotic pollution.

Keywords

Antibiotics; Resistance Genes; Wastewater Contaminants; Aquatic Environment; Pharmaceuticals; Environmental Impact; Microbial Communities; Removal Methods; Ecotoxicity; Horizontal Gene Transfer

Occurrence of drugs in German sewage treatment plants and rivers

1998-11-01

Thomas A. Ternes

Response to Comment on “Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999−2000: A National Reconnaissance”

2002-08-14

Dana W. Kolpin , Edward T. Furlong , Michael T. Meyer +4 more

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVCorrespondence/Rebut...Correspondence/RebuttalNEXTResponse to Comment on "Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999−2000: A National Reconnaissance"Dana W. Kolpin, Edward T. Furlong, Michael T. Meyer, E. … ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVCorrespondence/Rebut...Correspondence/RebuttalNEXTResponse to Comment on "Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999−2000: A National Reconnaissance"Dana W. Kolpin, Edward T. Furlong, Michael T. Meyer, E. Michael Thurman, Steven D. Zaugg, Larry B. Barber, and Herbert T. BuxtonView Author Information U.S. Geological Survey 400 South Clinton Street Box 1230 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 U.S. Geological Survey Box 25046, MS 407 Denver, Colorado 80225-0046 U.S. Geological Survey 4500 SW 40th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34474 U.S. Geological Survey 4821 Quail Crest Place Lawrence, Kansas 66049 U.S. Geological Survey Box 25046, MS 407 Denver, Colorado 80225-0046 U.S. Geological Survey 3215 Marine Street Boulder, Colorado 80303 U.S. Geological Survey 810 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton, New Jersey 08628Cite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 18, 4004Publication Date (Web):August 14, 2002Publication History Published online14 August 2002Published inissue 1 September 2002https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es0201350https://doi.org/10.1021/es0201350article-commentaryACS PublicationsCopyright © Not subject to U.S. Copyright. Published 2002 American Chemical Society. This publication is available under these Terms of Use. Request reuse permissions This publication is free to access through this site. Learn MoreArticle Views921Altmetric-Citations111LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail PDF (16 KB) Get e-AlertscloseSUBJECTS:Impurities,Mathematical methods,Pharmaceuticals,Wastewater Get e-Alerts

Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Natural Environments

2008-07-17

José Luis Martínez

The large majority of antibiotics currently used for treating infections and the antibiotic resistance genes acquired by human pathogens each have an environmental origin. Recent work indicates that the function … The large majority of antibiotics currently used for treating infections and the antibiotic resistance genes acquired by human pathogens each have an environmental origin. Recent work indicates that the function of these elements in their environmental reservoirs may be very distinct from the "weapon-shield" role they play in clinical settings. Changes in natural ecosystems, including the release of large amounts of antimicrobials, might alter the population dynamics of microorganisms, including selection of resistance, with consequences for human health that are difficult to predict.

Carbamazepine and diclofenac: Removal in wastewater treatment plants and occurrence in water bodies

2008-09-16

Yongjun Zhang , Sven‐Uwe Geißen , Carmen Gal

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in water environments

2008-06-01

Fernando Baquero , José Luis Martínez , Rafael Cantón

Tackling antibiotic resistance: the environmental framework

2015-03-30

Thomas U. Berendonk , Célia M. Manaia , Christophe Merlin +7 more

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Call of the wild: antibiotic resistance genes in natural environments

2010-03-01

Heather K. Allen , Justin J. Donato , Helena Huimi Wang +3 more

Environmental pollution by antibiotics and by antibiotic resistance determinants

2009-06-28

José Luis Martínez

The Challenge of Micropollutants in Aquatic Systems

2006-08-24

René P. Schwarzenbach , Beate I. Escher , Kathrin Fenner +4 more

The increasing worldwide contamination of freshwater systems with thousands of industrial and natural chemical compounds is one of the key environmental problems facing humanity. Although most of these compounds are … The increasing worldwide contamination of freshwater systems with thousands of industrial and natural chemical compounds is one of the key environmental problems facing humanity. Although most of these compounds are present at low concentrations, many of them raise considerable toxicological concerns, particularly when present as components of complex mixtures. Here we review three scientific challenges in addressing water-quality problems caused by such micropollutants. First, tools to assess the impact of these pollutants on aquatic life and human health must be further developed and refined. Second, cost-effective and appropriate remediation and water-treatment technologies must be explored and implemented. Third, usage and disposal strategies, coupled with the search for environmentally more benign products and processes, should aim to minimize introduction of critical pollutants into the aquatic environment.

Occurrence, fate, and removal of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment: a review of recent research data

2002-05-01

Thomas Heberer

Antibiotic Resistance Genes as Emerging Contaminants: Studies in Northern Colorado

2006-08-15

Amy Pruden , Ruoting Pei , Heather Storteboom +1 more

This study explores antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as emerging environmental contaminants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ARGs in various environmental compartments in northern Colorado, … This study explores antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as emerging environmental contaminants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ARGs in various environmental compartments in northern Colorado, including Cache La Poudre (Poudre) River sediments, irrigation ditches, dairy lagoons, and the effluents of wastewater recycling and drinking water treatment plants. Additionally, ARG concentrations in the Poudre River sediments were analyzed at three time points at five sites with varying levels of urban/agricultural impact and compared with two previously published time points. It was expected that ARG concentrations would be significantly higher in environments directly impacted by urban/agricultural activity than in pristine and lesser-impacted environments. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection assays were applied to detect the presence/absence of several tetracycline and sulfonamide ARGs. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to further quantify two tetracycline ARGs (tet(W) and tet(O)) and two sulfonamide ARGs (sul(I) and sul(II)). The following trend was observed with respect to ARG concentrations (normalized to eubacterial 16S rRNA genes): dairy lagoon water > irrigation ditch water > urban/agriculturally impacted river sediments (p < 0.0001), except for sul(II), which was absent in ditch water. It was noted that tet(W) and tet(O) were also present in treated drinking water and recycled wastewater, suggesting that these are potential pathways for the spread of ARGs to and from humans. On the basis of this study, there is a need for environmental scientists and engineers to help address the issue of the spread of ARGs in the environment.

Emerging organic contaminants in groundwater: A review of sources, fate and occurrence

2012-02-03

Dan Lapworth , Nicole Baran , Marianne Stuart +1 more

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Microbiological effects of sublethal levels of antibiotics

2014-05-27

Dan I. Andersson , Diarmaid Hughes

Occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in urban wastewater: Removal, mass load and environmental risk after a secondary treatment—A review

2012-05-12

Paola Verlicchi , M. Al Aukidy , Elena Zambello

The removal of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors and illicit drugs during wastewater treatment and its impact on the quality of receiving waters

2008-11-11

Barbara Kasprzyk‐Hordern , Richard M. Dinsdale , Alan J. Guwy

Oxidation of Pharmaceuticals during Ozonation and Advanced Oxidation Processes

2003-01-31

Marc M. Huber , Silvio Canonica , Gun-Young Park +1 more

This study investigates the oxidation of pharmaceuticals during conventional ozonation and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) applied in drinking water treatment. In a first step, second-order rate constants for the reactions … This study investigates the oxidation of pharmaceuticals during conventional ozonation and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) applied in drinking water treatment. In a first step, second-order rate constants for the reactions of selected pharmaceuticals with ozone (kO3) and OH radicals (kOH) were determined in bench-scale experiments (in brackets apparent kO3 at pH 7 and T = 20 °C): bezafibrate (590 ± 50 M-1 s-1), carbamazepine (∼3 × 105 M-1 s-1), diazepam (0.75 ± 0.15 M-1 s-1), diclofenac (∼1 × 106 M-1 s-1), 17α-ethinylestradiol (∼3 × 106 M-1 s-1), ibuprofen (9.6 ± 1.0 M-1 s-1), iopromide (<0.8 M-1 s-1), sulfamethoxazole (∼2.5 × 106 M-1 s-1), and roxithromycin (∼7 × 104 M-1 s-1). For five of the pharmaceuticals the apparent kO3 at pH 7 was >5 × 104 M-1 s-1, indicating that these compounds are completely transformed during ozonation processes. Values for kOH ranged from 3.3 to 9.8 × 109 M-1 s-1. Compared to other important micropollutants such as MTBE and atrazine, the selected pharmaceuticals reacted about two to three times faster with OH radicals. In the second part of the study, oxidation kinetics of the selected pharmaceuticals were investigated in ozonation experiments performed in different natural waters. It could be shown that the second-order rate constants determined in pure aqueous solution could be applied to predict the behavior of pharmaceuticals dissolved in natural waters. Overall it can be concluded that ozonation and AOPs are promising processes for an efficient removal of pharmaceuticals in drinking waters.

Occurrence of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in hospital and urban wastewaters and their impact on the receiving river

2014-11-24

Sara Rodríguez‐Mozaz , Sara Chamorro , Elisabet Marti +6 more

Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in U.S. Drinking Water

2008-12-17

Mark J. Benotti , Rebecca A. Trenholm , Brett J. Vanderford +3 more

The drinking water for more than 28 million people was screened for a diverse group of pharmaceuticals, potential endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and other unregulated organic contaminants. Source water, finished … The drinking water for more than 28 million people was screened for a diverse group of pharmaceuticals, potential endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and other unregulated organic contaminants. Source water, finished drinking water, and distribution system (tap) water from 19 U.S. water utilities was analyzed for 51 compounds between 2006 and 2007. The 11 most frequently detected compounds were atenolol, atrazine, carbamazepine, estrone, gemfibrozil, meprobamate, naproxen, phenytoin, sulfamethoxazole, TCEP, and trimethoprim. Median concentrations of these compounds were less than 10 ng/L, except for sulfamethoxazole in source water (12 ng/L), TCEP in source water (120 ng/L), and atrazine in source, finished, and distribution system water (32, 49, and 49 ng/L). Atrazine was detected in source waters far removed from agricultural application where wastewater was the only known source of organic contaminants. The occurrence of compounds in finished drinking water was controlled by the type of chemical oxidation (ozone or chlorine) used at each plant. At one drinking water treatment plant, summed monthly concentrations of the detected analytes in source and finished water are reported. Atenolol, atrazine, DEET, estrone, meprobamate, and trimethoprim can serve as indicator compounds representing potential contamination from other pharmaceuticals and EDCs and can gauge the efficacy of treatment processes.

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Removal of residual pharmaceuticals from aqueous systems by advanced oxidation processes

2008-08-30

Maria Klavarioti , Dionissios Mantzavinos , Despo Fatta‐Kassinos

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

2009-10-31

Lúcia H.M.L.M. Santos , Alberto N. Araújo , Adriano Fachini +3 more

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Natural Antibiotic Resistance and Contamination by Antibiotic Resistance Determinants: The Two Ages in the Evolution of Resistance to Antimicrobials

2012-01-01

José Luis Martínez

OPINION article Front. Microbiol., 13 January 2012Sec. Antimicrobials, Resistance and Chemotherapy Volume 3 - 2012 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2012.00001 OPINION article Front. Microbiol., 13 January 2012Sec. Antimicrobials, Resistance and Chemotherapy Volume 3 - 2012 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2012.00001

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Occurrence of antibiotics in the aquatic environment

1999-01-01

Roman Hirsch , Thomas A. Ternes , Klaus Haberer +1 more

Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999−2000: A National Reconnaissance

2002-03-01

Dana W. Kolpin , Edward T. Furlong , Michael T. Meyer +4 more

To provide the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) in water resources, the U.S. Geological Survey used five newly developed analytical … To provide the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) in water resources, the U.S. Geological Survey used five newly developed analytical methods to measure concentrations of 95 OWCs in water samples from a network of 139 streams across 30 states during 1999 and 2000. The selection of sampling sites was biased toward streams susceptible to contamination (i.e. downstream of intense urbanization and livestock production). OWCs were prevalent during this study, being found in 80% of the streams sampled. The compounds detected represent a wide range of residential, industrial, and agricultural origins and uses with 82 of the 95 OWCs being found during this study. The most frequently detected compounds were coprostanol (fecal steroid), cholesterol (plant and animal steroid), N,N-diethyltoluamide (insect repellant), caffeine (stimulant), triclosan (antimicrobial disinfectant), tri(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (fire retardant), and 4-nonylphenol (nonionic detergent metabolite). Measured concentrations for this study were generally low and rarely exceeded drinking-water guidelines, drinking-water health advisories, or aquatic-life criteria. Many compounds, however, do not have such guidelines established. The detection of multiple OWCs was common for this study, with a median of seven and as many as 38 OWCs being found in a given water sample. Little is known about the potential interactive effects (such as synergistic or antagonistic toxicity) that may occur from complex mixtures of OWCs in the environment. In addition, results of this study demonstrate the importance of obtaining data on metabolites to fully understand not only the fate and transport of OWCs in the hydrologic system but also their ultimate overall effect on human health and the environment.

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A review on emerging contaminants in wastewaters and the environment: Current knowledge, understudied areas and recommendations for future monitoring

2014-09-10

Bruce Petrie , Ruth Barden , Barbara Kasprzyk‐Hordern

This review identifies understudied areas of emerging contaminant (EC) research in wastewaters and the environment, and recommends direction for future monitoring. Non-regulated trace organic ECs including pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and … This review identifies understudied areas of emerging contaminant (EC) research in wastewaters and the environment, and recommends direction for future monitoring. Non-regulated trace organic ECs including pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and personal care products are focused on due to ongoing policy initiatives and the expectant broadening of environmental legislation. These ECs are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, mainly derived from the discharge of municipal wastewater effluents. Their presence is of concern due to the possible ecological impact (e.g., endocrine disruption) to biota within the environment. To better understand their fate in wastewaters and in the environment, a standardised approach to sampling is needed. This ensures representative data is attained and facilitates a better understanding of spatial and temporal trends of EC occurrence. During wastewater treatment, there is a lack of suspended particulate matter analysis due to further preparation requirements and a lack of good analytical approaches. This results in the under-reporting of several ECs entering wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) and the aquatic environment. Also, sludge can act as a concentrating medium for some chemicals during wastewater treatment. The majority of treated sludge is applied directly to agricultural land without analysis for ECs. As a result there is a paucity of information on the fate of ECs in soils and consequently, there has been no driver to investigate the toxicity to exposed terrestrial organisms. Therefore a more holistic approach to environmental monitoring is required, such that the fate and impact of ECs in all exposed environmental compartments are studied. The traditional analytical approach of applying targeted screening with low resolution mass spectrometry (e.g., triple quadrupoles) results in numerous chemicals such as transformation products going undetected. These can exhibit similar toxicity to the parent EC, demonstrating the necessity of using an integrated analytical approach which compliments targeted and non-targeted screening with biological assays to measure ecological impact. With respect to current toxicity testing protocols, failure to consider the enantiomeric distribution of chiral compounds found in the environment, and the possible toxicological differences between enantiomers is concerning. Such information is essential for the development of more accurate environmental risk assessment.

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Behavior of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and hormones in a sewage treatment plant

2004-06-25

Marta Carballa , F. Omil , Juan M. Lema +5 more

Global trends in antimicrobial use in food animals

2015-03-19

Thomas P. Van Boeckel , Charles Brower , Marius Gilbert +5 more

Significance Antimicrobials are used in livestock production to maintain health and productivity. These practices contribute to the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in both livestock and humans, posing a significant public … Significance Antimicrobials are used in livestock production to maintain health and productivity. These practices contribute to the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in both livestock and humans, posing a significant public health threat. We present the first global map (228 countries) of antibiotic consumption in livestock and conservatively estimate the total consumption in 2010 at 63,151 tons. We project that antimicrobial consumption will rise by 67% by 2030, and nearly double in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This rise is likely to be driven by the growth in consumer demand for livestock products in middle-income countries and a shift to large-scale farms where antimicrobials are used routinely. Our findings call for initiatives to preserve antibiotic effectiveness while simultaneously ensuring food security in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

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Diverse and abundant antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese swine farms

2013-02-11

Yong‐Guan Zhu , Timothy A. Johnson , Jian-Qiang Su +5 more

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants posing a potential worldwide human health risk. Intensive animal husbandry is believed to be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of … Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants posing a potential worldwide human health risk. Intensive animal husbandry is believed to be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of ARGs. Despite the volume of antibiotics used in China, little information is available regarding the corresponding ARGs associated with animal farms. We assessed type and concentrations of ARGs at three stages of manure processing to land disposal at three large-scale (10,000 animals per year) commercial swine farms in China. In-feed or therapeutic antibiotics used on these farms include all major classes of antibiotics except vancomycins. High-capacity quantitative PCR arrays detected 149 unique resistance genes among all of the farm samples, the top 63 ARGs being enriched 192-fold (median) up to 28,000-fold (maximum) compared with their respective antibiotic-free manure or soil controls. Antibiotics and heavy metals used as feed supplements were elevated in the manures, suggesting the potential for coselection of resistance traits. The potential for horizontal transfer of ARGs because of transposon-specific ARGs is implicated by the enrichment of transposases—the top six alleles being enriched 189-fold (median) up to 90,000-fold in manure—as well as the high correlation ( r 2 = 0.96) between ARG and transposase abundance. In addition, abundance of ARGs correlated directly with antibiotic and metal concentrations, indicating their importance in selection of resistance genes. Diverse, abundant, and potentially mobile ARGs in farm samples suggest that unmonitored use of antibiotics and metals is causing the emergence and release of ARGs to the environment.

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Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for the release of antibiotics in the environment: A review

2012-11-28

Omolayo M. Ikumapayi , Luigi Rizzo , Christa S. McArdell +5 more

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Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes spread into the environment: A review

2013-02-07

Luigi Rizzo , Célia M. Manaia , Christophe Merlin +5 more

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Co-selection of antibiotic and metal resistance

2006-03-15

Craig Baker‐Austin , Meredith S. Wright , Ramūnas Stepanauskas +1 more

Environmental risk assessment of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater effluents, surface waters and sediments

2005-11-21

Marı́a Dolores Hernando , Milagros Mezcúa , A FERNANDEZALBA +1 more

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment: agents of subtle change?

1999-12-01

Christian G. Daughton , Thomas A. Ternes

During the last three decades, the impact of chemical pollution has focused almost exclusively on the conventional "priority" pollutants, especially those acutely toxic/carcinogenic pesticides and industrial intermediates displaying persistence in … During the last three decades, the impact of chemical pollution has focused almost exclusively on the conventional "priority" pollutants, especially those acutely toxic/carcinogenic pesticides and industrial intermediates displaying persistence in the environment. This spectrum of chemicals, however, is only one piece of the larger puzzle in "holistic" risk assessment. Another diverse group of bioactive chemicals receiving comparatively little attention as potential environmental pollutants includes the pharmaceuticals and active ingredients in personal care products (in this review collectively termed PPCPs), both human and veterinary, including not just prescription drugs and biologics, but also diagnostic agents, "nutraceuticals," fragrances, sun-screen agents, and numerous others. These compounds and their bioactive metabolites can be continually introduced to the aquatic environment as complex mixtures via a number of routes but primarily by both untreated and treated sewage. Aquatic pollution is particularly troublesome because aquatic organisms are captive to continual life-cycle, multigenerational exposure. The possibility for continual but undetectable or unnoticed effects on aquatic organisms is particularly worrisome because effects could accumulate so slowly that major change goes undetected until the cumulative level of these effects finally cascades to irreversible change--change that would otherwise be attributed to natural adaptation or ecologic succession. As opposed to the conventional, persistent priority pollutants, PPCPs need not be persistent if they are continually introduced to surface waters, even at low parts-per-trillion/parts-per-billion concentrations (ng-microg/L). Even though some PPCPs are extremely persistent and introduced to the environment in very high quantities and perhaps have already gained ubiquity worldwide, others could act as if they were persistent, simply because their continual infusion into the aquatic environment serves to sustain perpetual life-cycle exposures for aquatic organisms. This review attempts to synthesize the literature on environmental origin, distribution/occurrence, and effects and to catalyze a more focused discussion in the environmental science community.

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Occurrence, fate and effects of pharmaceutical substances in the environment- A review

1998-01-01

Bent Halling‐Sørensen , Søren Nors Nielsen , P.F. Lanzky +3 more

A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment and their fate and removal during wastewater treatment

2014-01-04

Yunlong Luo , Wenshan Guo , Huu Hao Ngo +5 more

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Degradation and removal methods of antibiotics from aqueous matrices – A review

2011-06-24

Vera Homem , Lúcia Santos

Fate of Endocrine-Disruptor, Pharmaceutical, and Personal Care Product Chemicals during Simulated Drinking Water Treatment Processes

2005-08-04

Paul Westerhoff , Yeomin Yoon , Shane A. Snyder +1 more

The potential occurrence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as well as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water supplies raises concern over the removal of these compounds by common … The potential occurrence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as well as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water supplies raises concern over the removal of these compounds by common drinking water treatment processes. Three drinking water supplies were spiked with 10 to 250 ng/L of 62 different EDC/PPCPs; one model water containing an NOM isolate was spiked with 49 different EDC/PPCPs. Compounds were detected by LC/MS/MS or GC/MS/MS. These test waters were subjected to bench-scale experimentation to simulate individual treatment processes in a water treatment plant (WTP). Aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride coagulants or chemical lime softening removed some polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) but removed <25% of most other EDC/PPCPs. Addition of 5 mg/L of powder activated carbon (PAC) with a 4-h contact time removed 50% to >98% of GC/MS/MS compounds (more volatile) and 10% to >95% of LC/MS/MS compounds (more polar); higher PAC dosages improved EDC/PPCP removal. EDC/PPCP percentage removal was independent of the initial compound concentration. Octanol−water partition coefficients served as a reasonable indicator of compound removal under controlled PAC test conditions, except for EDC/PPCPs that were protonated or deprotonated at the test pH and some that contained heterocyclic or aromatic nitrogen. Separate chlorine or ozone experiments decreased the EDC/PPCP initial concentration by <10% to >90%; EDC/PPCPs were likely transformed to oxidation byproducts. Ozone oxidized steroids containing phenolic moieties (estradiol, ethynylestradiol, or estrone) more efficiently than those without aromatic or phenolic moieties (androstenedione, progesterone, and testosterone). EDC/PPCP reactivity with oxidants were separated into three general groups: (1) compounds easily oxidized (>80% reacted) by chlorine are always oxidized at least as efficiently by ozone; (2) 6 of the ∼60 compounds (TCEP, BHC, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, musk ketone) were poorly oxidized (<20% reacted) by chlorine or ozone; (3) compounds (24 of 60) reacting preferentially (higher removals) with ozone rather than chlorine. Conventional treatment (coagulation plus chlorination) would have low removal of many EDC/PPCPs, while addition of PAC and/or ozone could substantially improve their removals. Existing strategies that predict relative removals of herbicides, pesticides, and other organic pollutants by activated carbon or oxidation can be directly applied for the removal of many EDC/PPCPs, but these strategies need to be modified to account for charged (protonated bases or deprotonated acids) and aliphatic species. Some compounds (e.g., DEET, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil) had low removals unless ozonation was used. Other compounds had low removals by all the WTP processes considered (atrazine, iopromide, meprobamate, TCEP), and removal processes capable of removing these types of compounds should be investigated.

Effluent from drug manufactures contains extremely high levels of pharmaceuticals

2007-07-07

D. G. Joakim Larsson , Cecilia de Pedro , Nicklas Paxéus

Food Animals and Antimicrobials: Impacts on Human Health

2011-10-01

Bonnie Marshall , Stuart B. Levy

SUMMARY Antimicrobials are valuable therapeutics whose efficacy is seriously compromised by the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The provision of antibiotics to food animals encompasses a wide variety of … SUMMARY Antimicrobials are valuable therapeutics whose efficacy is seriously compromised by the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The provision of antibiotics to food animals encompasses a wide variety of nontherapeutic purposes that include growth promotion. The concern over resistance emergence and spread to people by nontherapeutic use of antimicrobials has led to conflicted practices and opinions. Considerable evidence supported the removal of nontherapeutic antimicrobials (NTAs) in Europe, based on the “precautionary principle.” Still, concrete scientific evidence of the favorable versus unfavorable consequences of NTAs is not clear to all stakeholders. Substantial data show elevated antibiotic resistance in bacteria associated with animals fed NTAs and their food products. This resistance spreads to other animals and humans—directly by contact and indirectly via the food chain, water, air, and manured and sludge-fertilized soils. Modern genetic techniques are making advances in deciphering the ecological impact of NTAs, but modeling efforts are thwarted by deficits in key knowledge of microbial and antibiotic loads at each stage of the transmission chain. Still, the substantial and expanding volume of evidence reporting animal-to-human spread of resistant bacteria, including that arising from use of NTAs, supports eliminating NTA use in order to reduce the growing environmental load of resistance genes.

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A global perspective on the use, sales, exposure pathways, occurrence, fate and effects of veterinary antibiotics (VAs) in the environment

2006-05-09

Ajit K. Sarmah , Michael T. Meyer , Alistair B.A. Boxall

Antibiotics in the aquatic environment – A review – Part I

2009-01-31

Klaus Kümmerer

Ecotoxicology of human pharmaceuticals

2005-10-28

Karl Fent , Anna Weston , Daniel Caminada

Estrogenic Effects of Effluents from Sewage Treatment Works

1994-01-01

C. E. Purdom , P. A. Hardiman , V. V. J. Bye +3 more

Abstract The occurrence of hermaphrodite fish in the lagoons of sewage treatment works led us to hypothesize that sewage effluent might contain a substance, or substances, estrogenic to fish. to … Abstract The occurrence of hermaphrodite fish in the lagoons of sewage treatment works led us to hypothesize that sewage effluent might contain a substance, or substances, estrogenic to fish. to test this hypothesis, we placed cages containing rainbow trout in the effluent from sewage-treatment works, and one to three weeks later measured the vitellogenin concentration in the plasma of the fish. Vitellogenin is a protein synthesized by the liver of oviparous fish in response to estradiol stimulation; it is then conveyed by the blood to the ovary, where it is sequestered by oocytes to form the yolk. Thus, the presence of vitellogenin in the plasma is indicative of estrogenic stimulation of the liver. an initial study, at a sewage-treatment works, showed that plasma vitellogenin concentrations rose rapidly and very markedly (over 1000-fold in three weeks) when trout were maintained in the effluent. an extensive nationwide survey was then conducted. Results were obtained from fifteen sewage-treatment works distributed throughout England. in all cases, exposure of trout to effluent resulted in a very pronounced increase (500 to 100,000-fold, depending on site) in the plasma vitellogenin concentration. Induction of vitellogenesis was also observed in carp, but to a much lesser extent than in trout. The identity of the estrogenic substance is unknown. It is suggested that the two most likely possibilities are ethynylestradiol, originating from pharmaceutical use, or alkylphenol-ethoxylates (APE), originating from the biodegradation of surfactants and detergents during sewage treatment. Laboratory studies on the potency of ethynylestradiol demonstrated that levels as low as 1 to 10 ng 1−1 could generate the response shown by the caged fish and that positive responses may arise at 0.1 to 0.5 ng 1−1. Further work is in progress on the potency of APE.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Antibiotics Emission and Fate in the River Basins of China: Source Analysis, Multimedia Modeling, and Linkage to Bacterial Resistance

2015-05-11

Qian-Qian Zhang , Guang‐Guo Ying , Chang‐Gui Pan +2 more

Antibiotics are widely used in humans and animals, but there is a big concern about their negative impacts on ecosystem and human health after use. So far there is a … Antibiotics are widely used in humans and animals, but there is a big concern about their negative impacts on ecosystem and human health after use. So far there is a lack of information on emission inventory and environmental fate of antibiotics in China. We studied national consumption, emissions, and multimedia fate of 36 frequently detected antibiotics in China by market survey, data analysis, and level III fugacity modeling tools. Based on our survey, the total usage for the 36 chemicals was 92700 tons in 2013, an estimated 54000 tons of the antibiotics was excreted by human and animals, and eventually 53800 tons of them entered into the receiving environment following various wastewater treatments. The fugacity model successfully predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) in all 58 river basins of China, which are comparable to the reported measured environmental concentrations (MECs) available in some basins. The bacterial resistance rates in the hospitals and aquatic environments were found to be related to the PECs and antibiotic usages, especially for those antibiotics used in the most recent period. This is the first comprehensive study which demonstrates an alarming usage and emission of various antibiotics in China.

Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance in Microbial Ecosystems through Horizontal Gene Transfer

2016-02-19

Christian J. H. von Wintersdorff , John Penders , Julius M. van Niekerk +5 more

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria has been a rising problem for public health in recent decades. It is becoming increasingly recognized that not only antibiotic … The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria has been a rising problem for public health in recent decades. It is becoming increasingly recognized that not only antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) encountered in clinical pathogens are of relevance, but rather, all pathogenic, commensal as well as environmental bacteria-and also mobile genetic elements and bacteriophages-form a reservoir of ARGs (the resistome) from which pathogenic bacteria can acquire resistance via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). HGT has caused antibiotic resistance to spread from commensal and environmental species to pathogenic ones, as has been shown for some clinically important ARGs. Of the three canonical mechanisms of HGT, conjugation is thought to have the greatest influence on the dissemination of ARGs. While transformation and transduction are deemed less important, recent discoveries suggest their role may be larger than previously thought. Understanding the extent of the resistome and how its mobilization to pathogenic bacteria takes place is essential for efforts to control the dissemination of these genes. Here, we will discuss the concept of the resistome, provide examples of HGT of clinically relevant ARGs and present an overview of the current knowledge of the contributions the various HGT mechanisms make to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

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Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the freshwater aquatic environment

2017-01-05

Anekwe Jennifer Ebele , Mohamed Abou‐Elwafa Abdallah , Stuart Harrad

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a unique group of emerging environmental contaminants, due to their inherent ability to induce physiological effects in human at low doses. An increasing … Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a unique group of emerging environmental contaminants, due to their inherent ability to induce physiological effects in human at low doses. An increasing number of studies has confirmed the presence of various PPCPs in different environmental compartments, which raises concerns about the potential adverse effects to humans and wildlife. Therefore, this article reviews the current state-of-knowledge on PPCPs in the freshwater aquatic environment. The environmental risk posed by these contaminants is evaluated in light of the persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity criteria. Available literature on the sources, transport and degradation of PPCPs in the aquatic environment are evaluated, followed by a comprehensive review of the reported concentrations of different PPCP groups in the freshwater aquatic environment (water, sediment and biota) of the five continents. Finally, future perspectives for research on PPCPs in the freshwater aquatic environment are discussed in light of the identified research gaps in current knowledge.

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Occurrences and removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water and water/sewage treatment plants: A review

2017-04-21

Yi Yang , Yong Sik Ok , Ki‐Hyun Kim +2 more

Occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater treatment plants from different geographical regions-a review

2017-12-28

Ngọc Hân Trần , Martin Reinhard , Karina Yew‐Hoong Gin

Antibiotic Use in Agriculture and Its Consequential Resistance in Environmental Sources: Potential Public Health Implications

2018-03-30

Christy E. Manyi-Loh , Sampson Mamphweli , Edson L. Meyer +1 more

Due to the increased demand of animal protein in developing countries, intensive farming is instigated, which results in antibiotic residues in animal-derived products, and eventually, antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is … Due to the increased demand of animal protein in developing countries, intensive farming is instigated, which results in antibiotic residues in animal-derived products, and eventually, antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is of great public health concern because the antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with the animals may be pathogenic to humans, easily transmitted to humans via food chains, and widely disseminated in the environment via animal wastes. These may cause complicated, untreatable, and prolonged infections in humans, leading to higher healthcare cost and sometimes death. In the said countries, antibiotic resistance is so complex and difficult, due to irrational use of antibiotics both in the clinical and agriculture settings, low socioeconomic status, poor sanitation and hygienic status, as well as that zoonotic bacterial pathogens are not regularly cultured, and their resistance to commonly used antibiotics are scarcely investigated (poor surveillance systems). The challenges that follow are of local, national, regional, and international dimensions, as there are no geographic boundaries to impede the spread of antibiotic resistance. In addition, the information assembled in this study through a thorough review of published findings, emphasized the presence of antibiotics in animal-derived products and the phenomenon of multidrug resistance in environmental samples. This therefore calls for strengthening of regulations that direct antibiotic manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and prescription, hence fostering antibiotic stewardship. Joint collaboration across the world with international bodies is needed to assist the developing countries to implement good surveillance of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

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Pharmaceuticals of Emerging Concern in Aquatic Systems: Chemistry, Occurrence, Effects, and Removal Methods

2019-03-04

Manvendra Patel , Rahul Kumar , Kamal Kishor +3 more

In the last few decades, pharmaceuticals, credited with saving millions of lives, have emerged as a new class of environmental contaminant. These compounds can have both chronic and acute harmful … In the last few decades, pharmaceuticals, credited with saving millions of lives, have emerged as a new class of environmental contaminant. These compounds can have both chronic and acute harmful effects on natural flora and fauna. The presence of pharmaceutical contaminants in ground waters, surface waters (lakes, rivers, and streams), sea water, wastewater treatment plants (influents and effluents), soils, and sludges has been well doccumented. A range of methods including oxidation, photolysis, UV-degradation, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and adsorption has been used for their remediation from aqueous systems. Many methods have been commercially limited by toxic sludge generation, incomplete removal, high capital and operating costs, and the need for skilled operating and maintenance personnel. Adsorption technologies are a low-cost alternative, easily used in developing countries where there is a dearth of advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and available capital, and adsorption appears to be the most broadly feasible pharmaceutical removal method. Adsorption remediation methods are easily integrated with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Herein, we have reviewed the literature (1990–2018) illustrating the rising environmental pharmaceutical contamination concerns as well as remediation efforts emphasizing adsorption.

Antibiotic resistance in the environment

2021-11-04

D. G. Joakim Larsson , Carl‐Fredrik Flach

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Effect of Acidic Oxidation of Swine Manure on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Load, Unpleasant Odor, Veterinary Antibiotics, and Plant Nutrient Profile in the One-Health Perspective

2025-06-25

Enrico Buscaroli , Sonia Blasioli , Monica Modesto +6 more | Waste and Biomass Valorization

Molecular Dynamics Simulation on the Sorption and Mobility of Sulfamethoxypyridazine in Indian Soils

2025-06-25

Atanu Sarkar , Tirthankar Banerjee , Suman Gupta +1 more | Water Air & Soil Pollution

Inhibition of metformin on sewage sludge anaerobic digestion: Focusing on changes in microbial metabolites and community/functional genes

2025-06-25

Jishi Zhang , Ruixi Wang , Yu‐Cheng Gu +2 more | Journal of Water Process Engineering

The challenge of reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the one health landscape: Diverse perspectives on AMR risks and their mitigation in sinks, drains, and wastewater

2025-06-24

Hillary A. Craddock , Aoife Kearney , Fidelma Fitzpatrick +3 more | The Science of The Total Environment

Multisectoral control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from water/wastewater is critical to meet United Nations targets of 10 % reduced AMR deaths by 2030. The complexity of policy and practice adaptations … Multisectoral control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from water/wastewater is critical to meet United Nations targets of 10 % reduced AMR deaths by 2030. The complexity of policy and practice adaptations underpinning public health protection against AMR, requires coordinated One Health approaches. To inform harmonized solution implementation, we explored AMR mitigation practices, motivations, and opportunities among One Health stakeholders across healthcare, agricultural and environmental sectors, using mixed methods. Quantitative and qualitative responses were collected via online survey (n = 55), followed by semi-structured interviews (n = 26). Respondents were subdivided into; healthcare, facilities/estates, agriculture/veterinary. Thematic analysis was carried out using NVivo. Among 21 survey respondents interfacing with wastewater, antimicrobials, AMR bacteria and persistent pathogens were high priority for all human and animal healthcare respondents (60 % and 80 % respectively) compared to estates/facilities workers (37.5 % and 44 % respectively). Among respondents, 62 % reported wastewater monitoring deficits and containment challenges, including outdated infrastructure (73 %), resourcing (68 %) and persistent colonization of AMR reservoirs (77 %). Technology interventions were important to most stakeholders (92 %) but regulatory needs (28 %), proof-of-concept (22 %), cost and energy use (12 %) and maintenance (10 %) were drivers or considerations for technology adoption. Divergent perspectives emerged between sectors, including; feasible technology, source control, screening/surveillance. Consensus was clearer regarding sink/wastewater risks and comprehensive AMR policy needs. One Health oriented, AMR mitigation requires enhanced practices and implementable policies. This research highlights competing and complementary drivers for change across One Health settings. As new technologies emerge, their performance and integration to meet healthcare, societal and economics needs must be considered.

Natural bio-photosensitizers in sludge: Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-driven persulfate activation for sustainable antibiotic degradation

2025-06-24

Yiyang He , Hanlin Zhang , Xinchao Zhang +7 more | Journal of Cleaner Production

Characteristics of intracellular/extracellular antibiotic resistance genes and microbial community in sludge compost under sulfadiazine stress

2025-06-24

Yingchun Li , Xiangyu Liu , Jie Yang +3 more | Environmental Technology

The accumulation of emerging antibiotics in sewage sludge, which serves as a repository for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), is raising growing concern. To accurately assess … The accumulation of emerging antibiotics in sewage sludge, which serves as a repository for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), is raising growing concern. To accurately assess the environmental risks, it is essential to separately investigate intracellular and extracellular ARGs (iARGs and eARGs) due to their distinct roles in resistance persistence and horizontal gene transfer. However, the impact of sulfadiazine (SDZ) on iARGs and eARGs, and the mechanisms involved in the composting process remain under further investigation. In this study, composts with SDZ concentrations of 5 and 50 mg/kg were constructed, and ARGs, microbial community composition and functional pathways were analyzed. The results showed that the abundance of iARGs varied significantly under SDZ selective pressure, while eARGs showed no significant differences. Specifically, i-erm decreased in the 50SDZ group, likely due to competition for ecological niches. The abundance of ermA, ermB and ermF decreased by approximately 97%, 85%, and 84%, respectively. i-sul increased by 127% to 156% in SDZ-added groups but not dose-dependently. Bacillus, Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, and Caproiciproducens were predominant in the SDZ-added groups. The abundance of potential ARG hosts, such as Bacillus and Paracoccus, increased significantly, with Paracoccus showing 2.3-fold and 1.8-fold higher abundance in the 50SDZ and 5SDZ treatments, respectively, compared to the CK. Functional genes related to the ABC-2 type transport system, signal transduction, and genome maintenance decreased with SDZ application. These findings suggested that the dynamics of ARGs should be continuously monitored during sludge composting and land application of compost products to reduce their environmental risks.

Mechanisms of microorganisms and environmentally persistent free radicals in biochar/PMS degradation of antibiotics after the aging process of fermentation

2025-06-24

Yanzhuo Zhang , Xiaoya Wang | Environmental Technology

The aging of pyrocarbon under the activity of microorganisms is a long and slow process. Microbial aging will affect the physicochemical properties of pyrocarbon and the removal of organic pollutants. … The aging of pyrocarbon under the activity of microorganisms is a long and slow process. Microbial aging will affect the physicochemical properties of pyrocarbon and the removal of organic pollutants. Aging pyrocarbon through anaerobic fermentation more closely simulated the natural microbial processes. Anaerobic fermentation can be used to evaluate the degradation of organic pollutants by pyrocarbon/peroxymonosulfate. Pyrocarbon (HPBC), pyrocarbon + microplastics (HPBC + MPs), and MPs were added in fermentation system. The relative bacterial abundance confirmed that the addition of pyrocarbon and MPs provided carriers for bacterial growth, but it inhibited bacterial growth through biotoxicity. Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) were used to activate PMS to degrade antibiotics after aging. The concentration of EPFRs in the process of degradation of antibiotics by biochar/PMS first increased and then decreased, while the concentration of EPFRs in the natural environment continued to decrease. During the 30-day fermentation process, the degradation efficiency of antibiotics by biochar/PMS first decreased and then increased. After fermentation, the degradation efficiency on day 30 was 6.68%, 8.76%, and 7.24% higher than that on day 10. The aging process of anaerobic fermentation enhanced the biochar/PMS degradation of antibiotics, which suggested that pyrocarbon could be effectively used over the long term.

Removal of Sulfamethoxazole in Secondary Effluent via Coupled Biofilm Slow Filtration and Nanofiltration: Effect of pH and the Mechanism of Membrane Contamination

2025-06-24

Rui Li , Lihua Sun , Muxi Zhang +2 more | Environmental Engineering Science

Cross-feeding and co-degradation within a bacterial consortium dominated by challenging-to-culture <i>Leucobacter</i> sp. HA-1 enhances sulfonamide degradation

2025-06-24

Guoqiang Zhao , Houyu Yu , Jinli Wang +7 more | Applied and Environmental Microbiology

The use of sulfonamides (SAs) leads to residual environmental pollution. Bacteria play a crucial role in the degradation of SAs, and microbial consortium offers advantages over single bacterium. However, the … The use of sulfonamides (SAs) leads to residual environmental pollution. Bacteria play a crucial role in the degradation of SAs, and microbial consortium offers advantages over single bacterium. However, the complexity of the degradation processes and interaction mechanisms within such consortia remains a mystery. Here, a consortium named ACJ, comprising Leucobacter sp. HA-1, Bacillus sp. HC-1, and Gordonia sp. HAEJ-1, isolated from activated sludge in the wastewater treatment facilities of pharmaceutical plants, was identified as capable of degrading various SAs. Here, a pure culture of Leucobacter sp. HA-1, which plays a key role in SAs degradation, was obtained with the auxotrophic requirements (ARs) provided by strains HC-1 and HAEJ-1. Strain HA-1 initiated the breakdown of SAs molecules, releasing heterocyclic structure products and trihydroxybenzene (HHQ), which were further degraded and used for growth by strain HAEJ-1. Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses indicated that genes related to nucleotide repair, ABC transporters, quorum sensing, the TCA cycle, and the cell cycle in strain HA-1 were upregulated during co-culture compared to cultures without the other two strains, which indicated that certain factors of strains HC-1 and HAEJ-1 activated the growth of strain HA-1. These results demonstrate a bidirectional ecological relationship of cross-feeding and co-degradation among the consortium members. Overall, this study provides new insights into the mechanisms of microbial interaction and co-degradation in sulfonamides-contaminated environments.IMPORTANCESulfonamides (SAs) are widely used antibiotics that have significantly harmed the ecological environment, emerging as a new environmental pollutant. Currently, limited research exists on the mechanisms of microbial consortium interaction and co-degradation of environmental pollutants. Addressing challenges in environmental pollutant degradation, this study isolated a bacterial consortium, ACJ, dominated by the challenging-to-culture Leucobacter sp. HA-1 from a sewage treatment plant and unveiled their interaction and co-degradation mechanisms during SAs degradation. Toxicological experiments demonstrated that the degradation of SAs by consortium ACJ substantially reduced environmental damage. These findings offer new insights into the collaborative mechanisms of the consortium of environmental pollutant-degrading microbial consortia and provide valuable microbial resources for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated environments.

Pesticide-driven antimicrobial resistance in water bodies: insights on environmental concerns, health implications and mitigation strategies

2025-06-24

Vinay Kumar Sonkar , Harshit Devtalla , Shakti Kumar | Environmental Geochemistry and Health

The Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics Use in Plant Agriculture

2025-06-24

Toi Ketehouli , Erica M. Goss , Fernanda Batistel +1 more | Plant Health Cases

Abstract Antibiotics are primarily used in animals to maintain their health and productivity. They are also used to a limited extent in plants in some countries to control bacterial diseases. … Abstract Antibiotics are primarily used in animals to maintain their health and productivity. They are also used to a limited extent in plants in some countries to control bacterial diseases. Despite their benefits, the continuous use of antibiotics in plants is an emerging area of concern given the potential transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to pathogens and non-pathogens, as different organisms (sometimes from different kingdoms) are known to be able to exchange genetic materials. Moreover, antibiotic application can disrupt microbial diversity balance (dysbiosis) and affect plant-beneficial microbes, making plants more susceptible to other diseases and affecting physiological and metabolic processes. This case study aims to explore the current status of antibiotic use in plant agriculture, to elucidate the associated risks, assess environmental and plant health concerns, and investigate sustainable agricultural approaches, highlighting the need for careful management of antibiotic use in plants to mitigate resistance development and environmental impact. Information © The Authors 2025

Differential Adsorption Behaviors of Light and Heavy SPM Fractions on Three Antibiotics: Implications for Lacustrine Antibiotic Migration

2025-06-23

Hao-Ran Tu , Jinlong Gao , Di Su +6 more | Water

Lakes are important sinks for antibiotics as suspended particulate matters (SPMs) in lakes have become significant carriers of antibiotic adsorption and migration. The light and heavy fractions of SPM are … Lakes are important sinks for antibiotics as suspended particulate matters (SPMs) in lakes have become significant carriers of antibiotic adsorption and migration. The light and heavy fractions of SPM are involved in the process of suspension and sedimentation in the aqueous environment. Combined with the adsorption behaviors of antibiotics onto SPM, a basis for the risk of antibiotic migration in lakes will be provided. In this study, SPM from Lake Taihu was collected and grouped according to density as light fraction (LF) and heavy fraction (HF), with heavy fraction including loosely bound humus (WLH) and tightly bound humus (TH). Adsorption studies were carried out with three typical antibiotics: tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), norfloxacin (NOR), and trimethoprim (TMP). The adsorption processes of all particulate fractions towards antibiotics were fast, which is consistent with pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption in the TC and NOR groups was much higher than that in the TMP group, which was mainly related to the properties of the antibiotics. The LF group was the special component with the fastest adsorption rate, the largest adsorption amount, and the lowest desorption ratio, regardless of antibiotics, which is related to the organic matter content and the rich-carbon-containing functional groups in the LF group, such as -C=O. These findings highlight the need for further attention to the high adsorptive transport effect of LF on antibiotics in lake ecosystems.

Book Review: Water Sustainability; Zhang, H.X., Ed.; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2023; ISBN: 978-1-0716-2465-4

2025-06-23

Dmitry A. Ruban | Hydrology

Water is an essential resource of contemporary civilization and also a factor of its progress [...] Water is an essential resource of contemporary civilization and also a factor of its progress [...]

S9 metabolism integrated CALUX® assay reveals invisible endocrine activities of sediments from two eutrophic freshwater lakes in China

2025-06-23

Feng Xue , Cora Schmid , Yunlu Jia +7 more | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Derivation of interim guideline values for pharmaceuticals and personal care products in marine environment

2025-06-23

Xingying Guo , Jinhui Wang , Yonlina Yu Lin Wang +4 more | Marine Pollution Bulletin

Triclocarban removal in agricultural runoff using biochar-microbe-augmented bioretention drainage systems: Performance and role of microbial community

2025-06-22

Wannasorn Saisuwan , Khuanchanok Sonsuphab , Supitchaya Jenjaiwit +5 more | Bioresource Technology

Urbanization increases high-risk antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenic bacteria in soil and phyllosphere microbiomes

2025-06-22

Kubwimana Jean Jacques , Qian Xiang , Yuekai Hao +3 more | Journal of Hazardous Materials

Theoretically improved biodegradability of fluoroquinolones in sewage and sludge

2025-06-21

Yajing Liu , Xingyan Jin , Rui Fu +2 more | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Biodegradation of pretilachlor and butachlor by novel bacterial strains isolated from paddy field soil

2025-06-21

Nguyễn Thị Oanh , Ha Danh Duc | Biodegradation

The study of residual amounts of antibiotics in offal of small cattle

2025-06-21

Michidmaral Ganbold , B. Batpurev | The Journal of Almaty Technological University

The benefits of using pharmaceutical drugs in animals are rarely compared with the risks of not using them, but instead of giving preference to one of them, both options should … The benefits of using pharmaceutical drugs in animals are rarely compared with the risks of not using them, but instead of giving preference to one of them, both options should be considered equally. Medications are used in large doses to treat sick animals, but in relatively small doses to prevent diseases in susceptible animals. In many countries, it is believed that diseases that directly harm animals raised for human consumption, reducing their productivity and eventually leading to death, cannot be controlled without the use of drugs and medications. The main food products of the Mongols have long been meat and milk, which are the basis of the daily diet. This is due to the natural and climatic conditions of Mongolia, favorable for cattle breeding. In Mongolia (which consumes about 545,000 tons of meat per year), it is not enough to control the quality of meat products only with the help of veterinary certificates and internal inspection laboratories in food markets. It is necessary to improve coordination between livestock breeders, butchers and veterinary specialists, to promote the correct use of veterinary medicines, and to improve the work of internal control laboratories in markets.

Removal of the Antibiotic Amoxicillin from Polluted Freshwater by Biosorption Using the Living Biomass of the Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

2025-06-21

David Fernández , Julio Abalde , Enrique Torres | Toxics

The environment is undergoing a constant incorporation of new pollutants, which must be eliminated to avoid toxicity problems. Amoxicillin (AMX) is a widely used antibiotic today, and for this reason, … The environment is undergoing a constant incorporation of new pollutants, which must be eliminated to avoid toxicity problems. Amoxicillin (AMX) is a widely used antibiotic today, and for this reason, it reaches natural media with the consequent environmental risk. Biosorption is an effective and environmentally friendly solution which can be used for the removal of AMX. In the present study, the properties of the living biomass of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were studied to determine the capacity of this biomass to remove AMX. This biomass has demonstrated to have good qualities to remove AMX with a maximum capacity of 12.72 ± 0.57 mg g−1. Light was an important factor in increasing the removal capacity of this living biomass by 35.2%. Although this antibiotic underwent spontaneous degradation (unaffected by light), the presence of the biomass increased the amount removed and the removal rate. The amount removed by this biomass in the presence of light was always higher than the amount lost by spontaneous degradation. The kinetics that best adjusted was pseudo-second order. Maximum removal was obtained at pH 6. A point of zero charge and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry were used to characterize the biomass and study the process.

Chloramphenicol biodegradation by Citrobacter freundii CT2: Degradation pathways, toxicity assessment, and genomic analysis

2025-06-20

Xueping Jiang , Hao Li , Jia Kong +7 more | Environmental Technology & Innovation

Risk assessment of chloramphenicol residues in raw bovine milk: a regulatory and public health perspective

2025-06-20

Davit Pipoyan , Meline Beglaryan , Haykanush Arakelyan +3 more | International Journal of Environmental Health Research

Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a banned antibiotic in food-producing animals due to its genotoxic properties and potential carcinogenicity. Despite existing safety regulations, CAP residues have been detected in milk worldwide, raising … Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a banned antibiotic in food-producing animals due to its genotoxic properties and potential carcinogenicity. Despite existing safety regulations, CAP residues have been detected in milk worldwide, raising public health concerns. In Armenia and its neighboring Caucasus countries, this is the first study to assess the risks of CAP residues in raw bovine milk using the margin of exposure (MOE) approach while considering various potential health effects of CAP exposure. Within the national residue monitoring program, CAP residues in raw milk from all regions of Armenia were analyzed using ELISA for screening and LC-MS/MS for confirmation. CAP was detected in most (83.12%) of the 121 raw milk samples, with 56.2% exceeding the European Reference Point for Action (0.15 µg/kg). Meanwhile, risk assessment outcomes indicated that estimated exposure levels of CAP in raw milk are unlikely to pose health concerns for the general adult Armenian population. Nevertheless, this study highlights the issue of illicit veterinary drug use in Armenia, potentially affecting antimicrobial resistance as well as international trade. Strengthening monitoring, raising consumer awareness, and enforcing stricter regulations are crucial. Additionally, an integrated, One Health-based food chain control system - engaging farmers, food producers, veterinarians, and public authorities is essential.

Machine learning approaches for predicting antibiotic resistance genes abundance changes during biological nitrogen removal process

2025-06-20

Tianyi Lu , Jingfeng Gao , Ke Zhang +2 more | Journal of Environmental Management

Resistencia antimicrobiana y aguas residuales hospitalarias: impacto ambiental y acciones de mitigación

2025-06-20

Jorge Alberto Carballo-Juárez , Adolfo Sánchez-Flores , Olga L. Valenzuela +3 more | Quimiofilia

La resistencia antimicrobiana (RAM) es una amenaza creciente para la salud pública y el medio ambiente. La eliminación inadecuada de antimicrobianos en aguas residuales hospitalarias contribuye a su presencia en … La resistencia antimicrobiana (RAM) es una amenaza creciente para la salud pública y el medio ambiente. La eliminación inadecuada de antimicrobianos en aguas residuales hospitalarias contribuye a su presencia en cuerpos de agua, favoreciendo microorganismos resistentes. Este artículo examina la asociación entre la contaminación ambiental y la diseminación de la RAM, así como las limitaciones del marco normativo vigente en México. Se ofrece un análisis crítico de este vacío normativo y se plantean recomendaciones de acción frente a la resistencia antimicrobiana ambiental, desde una perspectiva conjunta de salud pública y sostenibilidad ambiental.

Veterinary Antibiotics as an Emerging Class of Environmental Contaminants: Urgent Measures are Needed

2025-06-20

Jūratė Žaltauskaitė | Environmental Research Engineering and Management

The discovery of antibiotics was a key breakthrough of the 20th century in human and veterinary medicine. Antibiotics are essential for maintaining human and animal health, and their health and … The discovery of antibiotics was a key breakthrough of the 20th century in human and veterinary medicine. Antibiotics are essential for maintaining human and animal health, and their health and economic benefits are unquestionable, but their use is also associated with their continuous release into the environment and the resulting risks to the environment and human health. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), driven by excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics, has emerged as one of the leading public health threats of the 21st century. The European Commission identifies AMR as one of the top three priority health threats, causing an annual estimate of 1.27 million deaths globally with direct health care costs of US$ 66 billion (McDonnell et al., 2024; Murray et al., 2022).

Emerging Contaminants in Source and Finished Drinking Waters Across Minnesota (U.S.) and Potential Health Implications

2025-06-20

Sarah Elliott , Aliesha L. Krall , Jane R. de Lambert +2 more | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Relatively little data exist regarding the presence of unregulated contaminants in drinking waters. We sampled source and finished drinking water from 98 community water supply systems throughout Minnesota (U.S.). Facilities … Relatively little data exist regarding the presence of unregulated contaminants in drinking waters. We sampled source and finished drinking water from 98 community water supply systems throughout Minnesota (U.S.). Facilities were grouped into four networks based on water source and influences from anthropogenic activities. Measured contaminants were dependent on network and included some combination of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), benzotriazoles, hormones, wastewater indicators, and illicit drugs. Overall, the number of contaminants detected in samples ranged from 0 to 35 and concentrations ranged from 0.38 ng/L (progesterone) to 47,500 ng/L (bromoform). Fewer contaminants and lower concentrations were detected in finished water samples, compared to source waters. Significantly (p < 0.05) more PFAS and pesticides and higher sample total concentrations were observed in wells designated as vulnerable to contamination. To estimate potential human-health risk from exposure in drinking water, concentrations were compared against bioactivity information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ToxCast database and state-based guidance values, when available. Although comparisons could be made for relatively few contaminants, concentrations in finished waters were at least an order of magnitude lower than screening thresholds. Results from this study were used to inform enhancement of the Minnesota Department of Health’s drinking water protection program.

The Fate of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor Coupled with Constructed Wetlands for Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Treatment

2025-06-20

Evridiki Barka , Asimina Koukoura , Evangelos Statiris +5 more | Molecules

Removal of micropollutants using biological treatment systems remains a challenge, since conventional bioprocess systems require adaptations to provide more advanced treatment. An ambient temperature upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor … Removal of micropollutants using biological treatment systems remains a challenge, since conventional bioprocess systems require adaptations to provide more advanced treatment. An ambient temperature upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was employed, followed by a two-stage (saturated and unsaturated) vertical subsurface flow (VSSF) constructed wetland (CW) system, to treat domestic wastewater from a nearby settlement and investigate the occurrence and fate of 10 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in decentralized, non-conventional treatment systems. The integrated UASB—two-stage CW system achieved high performance regarding abatement of target CECs across all periods. Removal efficiencies ranged from 78% ± 21% (ketoprofen) to practically 100% (2-hydroxybenzothiazole). The pilot system was found to be robust performance-wise and provided enhanced treatment in comparison to a conventional wastewater treatment plant operating in parallel. Most of the target CECs were successfully treated by UASB, saturated and unsaturated CWs, while ibuprofen, bisphenol A and diclofenac were mostly removed in the unsaturated CW. Environmental risk assessment revealed that triclosan poses a significant ecological risk to algae during treated wastewater disposal into the aquatic environment. Additionally, cumulative risk quotient indicated that the potential for mixture toxicity should be carefully considered across all trophic levels.

Pharmaceuticals in water: a bibliometric review of removal technologies, research trends, and socioeconomic factors (2000-2025)

2025-06-20

Dailto Silva , Jean Firmino Cardoso , Daniel Milian Pérez +3 more | Caderno Pedagógico

Pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic environments is a growing global concern due to its ecological and public health implications. These compounds, often resistant to conventional treatments, originate from domestic, hospital, and … Pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic environments is a growing global concern due to its ecological and public health implications. These compounds, often resistant to conventional treatments, originate from domestic, hospital, and industrial effluents and persist in water bodies. This study presents a bibliometric review of scientific publications from 2000 to 2025, aiming to examine the relationship between pharmaceutical pollution, socioeconomic conditions, and remediation technologies. Data were collected from Scopus and Web of Science using the keywords “removal AND pharmaceuticals AND water”. Duplicate records were removed, and the final dataset was processed using a custom Python script to generate bibliometric visualizations. A three-stage filtering process was applied to identify relevant studies, characterize methodologies, and select articles for full reading. Results show a consistent increase in scientific output over the years, with a notable concentration of research in China, the United States, and Brazil. Adsorption was identified as the most explored technique, often employing activated carbon, biochar, and nanomaterials. Funding trends peaked in 2024, with a slight drop in 2025 due to incomplete data. The findings indicate increasing global engagement with pharmaceutical removal, emphasizing the role of research in addressing both environmental and social inequalities. This review highlights the need for scalable, efficient, and context-sensitive treatment solutions.

Avaliação do efeito carcinogênico da desloratadina em células somáticas de Drosophila melanogaster

2025-06-19

Ana Luísa de Castro Melo , Priscila Capelari Orsolin | Research Society and Development

Introdução: A Desloratadina, um eficiente antagonista dos receptores H1 de histamina, é bastante utilizada no tratamento de reações alérgicas, atuando como anti-histamínico e anti-inflamatório. Além de suas propriedades anti-inflamatórias, alguns … Introdução: A Desloratadina, um eficiente antagonista dos receptores H1 de histamina, é bastante utilizada no tratamento de reações alérgicas, atuando como anti-histamínico e anti-inflamatório. Além de suas propriedades anti-inflamatórias, alguns estudos demonstraram efeitos positivos desse fármaco na inibição das vias da carcinogênese, o que somado à escassa literatura sobre seus efeitos biológicos em células cancerígenas, o torna alvo de estudos. Objetivo: Avaliar a toxicidade e o potencial carcinogênico do anti-histamínico Desloratadina. Metodologia: Análises foram feitas utilizando o teste para detecção de tumores epiteliais (ETT) em células somáticas de Drosophila melanogaster. Assim, larvas de terceiro estágio de D. melanogaster, descendentes do cruzamento entre linhagens wts/TM3 e multiple wing hair (mwh/mwh) foram submetidas a um tratamento com quatro concentrações de Desloratadina (1,56, 3,125, 6,25, e 12,50 mg/mL), e também foram incluídos um controle negativo (água osmose reversa) e um controle positivo (doxorrubicina). Resultados: Foi demonstrado que a Desloratadina isoladamente não promoveu aumento significativo (p > 0,05) na frequência de tumores. Conclusão: Nas presentes circunstâncias experimentais, a Desloratadina não apresentou efeito carcinogênico.

Coupled effects of amoxicillin and copper on high-risk antibiotic resistance gene dynamics during dairy manure aerobic composting

2025-06-19

Ya Su , Ranran Wei , Qianting Zhuo +4 more | Chemical Engineering Journal

Impact of industrial wastewater on the microbiome and resistome of waterbodies: a systematic review

2025-06-19

Olukayode Adebola Ibitoye , A. B. Agbaje , Chinyere Anyanwu +4 more | F1000Research

<ns3:p>Background Industrial wastewater significantly affects the microbiome and resistome of aquatic ecosystems, posing environmental and public health risks through the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Methods This study systematically … <ns3:p>Background Industrial wastewater significantly affects the microbiome and resistome of aquatic ecosystems, posing environmental and public health risks through the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Methods This study systematically reviewed the influence of industrial effluents on microbial community structure and ARG prevalence in receiving water bodies. Results Our findings revealed that <ns3:italic>Proteobacteria</ns3:italic> and <ns3:italic>Bacteroidetes</ns3:italic> dominate polluted environments, with beta-lactamases, macrolides, and sulfonamide resistance genes that are frequently detected. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), including integrons and plasmids, are critical drivers of ARG horizontal gene transfer. The limited efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in removing ARGs highlights the urgent need for advanced treatment technologies. Comparisons with the existing literature reinforce the role of industrial activities in exacerbating ARG risks and disrupting microbial diversity. Mitigation strategies including stringent regulatory frameworks, advanced filtration methods, and a one-health approach are recommended to address these challenges. Conclusion This study emphasizes the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration and targeted interventions to safeguard environmental and public health from the impacts of industrial wastewater pollution.</ns3:p>

Occurrence, spatial distribution, potential sources, and risk assessment of common antibiotics in surface seawater of the Northeastern Indian Ocean

2025-06-19

Jiuming Wang , R. Hao , Yuanxin Cao +4 more | Environmental Research Letters

Abstract Abstract&#xD;The increasing entry of antibiotics into the marine environment has led to marine pollution and the potential global spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), posing a threat to both … Abstract Abstract&#xD;The increasing entry of antibiotics into the marine environment has led to marine pollution and the potential global spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), posing a threat to both marine ecosystems and human health. Compared with β-lactam and sulfonamide antibiotics, tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics have longer environmental half-lives and are more widely used, particularly in agriculture, aquaculture, and healthcare. In this study, the composition, spatial distribution, potential sources, and ecological risks of 4 tetracycline and 20 quinolone antibiotics were systematically investigated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the surface seawater of the Northeastern Indian Ocean for the first time. A total of nine antibiotics were detected in seawater samples, including tetracycline (detection rate: 100%), oxytetracycline (100%), chlortetracycline (100%), doxycycline (100%), ofloxacin (100%), ciprofloxacin (100%), norfloxacin (92.3%), enrofloxacin (96.2%), and fleroxacin (23.1%). Tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and enrofloxacin were widely distributed throughout the study area, with tetracycline antibiotics (83.8%) being significantly more prevalent than quinolone antibiotics. Among them, oxytetracycline was the dominant tetracycline antibiotic. The concentrations of tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics ranged from 0.258 to 23.521 ng/L (mean: 16.813 ng/L) and 0.016 to 9.480 ng/L (mean: 3.261 ng/L), respectively. The highest concentrations were found in the northeastern region of the study area. Aquaculture and livestock farming in Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia were identified as potential sources of these antibiotics. Ecological risk assessments indicated that ciprofloxacin poses a moderate risk to aquatic organisms in the Northeastern Indian Ocean. This study provides new insights into antibiotic pollution in the open waters of the Indian Ocean and highlights the urgent need for further research on the ecological impacts of these emerging pollutants in marine environments.

Chronic and Intergenerational Toxicity of Chloramine-T in Moina macrocopa Following Prolonged Exposure

2025-06-19

Xue Lei Hu , S Cai , Ming Chen +5 more | Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Biochemical Characterization of Bacteria Isolated from Gökçeada Salt Lake Lagoon (Çanakkale) Sediment Samples

2025-06-19

İlke Karakaş , Nurcihan Hacıoğlu Doğru | Sakarya University Journal of Science

Gökçeada Salt Lake Lagoon in Çanakkale, Türkiye, is a hypersaline environment that supports halophilic bacterial communities. This study examined the antibiotic susceptibility of 60 bacterial isolates obtained from four seasonal … Gökçeada Salt Lake Lagoon in Çanakkale, Türkiye, is a hypersaline environment that supports halophilic bacterial communities. This study examined the antibiotic susceptibility of 60 bacterial isolates obtained from four seasonal sediment samples. Morphological and biochemical characterization of the isolates included Gram staining, indole production, nitrate formation tests, and elemental analysis using ICP-OES. Antibiotic resistance was assessed via the disk diffusion method using seven antibiotics: Novobiocin (5 μg), Erythromycin (15 μg), Streptomycin (10 μg), Bacitracin (10 μg), Penicillin G (10 μg), Ampicillin (10 μg), and Tetracycline (30 μg). ICP-OES results showed elevated S, Ca, Mg, Na, and Fe concentrations, particularly in April 2024. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index exceeded 0.2 in all isolates, with the highest value (0.7142) also detected in April 2024. The Shapiro-Wilk test indicated non-normal distribution of MAR values; thus, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. Although no significant difference was found between sampling periods (p > 0.05), seasonal increases in resistance suggest gradual adaptation. The consistently high MAR indices point to ongoing anthropogenic pressure, likely due to tourism, agriculture, and livestock activities in the region. This persistent exposure may drive resistance development in microbial populations. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance in halophilic bacteria, as such resistance may pose public health risks through environmental pathways.

A Hybrid Modeling Framework for Predicting Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance in Coastal Waters

2025-06-19

Xuneng Tong , Zhixin Xiang , Shin Giek Goh +6 more | Environmental Science & Technology

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic environments poses a critical threat to both environmental and human health. This study presents a novel hybrid modeling framework that integrates a process-based hydrodynamic-environmental model … Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic environments poses a critical threat to both environmental and human health. This study presents a novel hybrid modeling framework that integrates a process-based hydrodynamic-environmental model with a data-driven approach to predict the spatiotemporal dynamics of AMR in coastal waters. Macrolide-related antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs_Macro) were selected as representative markers. The model results were validated using data from a monthly sampling campaign conducted across Singapore's coastal waters, yielding a mean coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.693, a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.589, and a root-mean-square deviation (RMSE) of 0.0257 GC/16S rRNA across 12 sampling points. Lincomycin, pH, dissolved oxygen, zinc and temperature were identified as significant influencers of ARGs_Macro. Although Lincomycin is not classified as a macrolide, it ranks as the most important driver of ARGs_Macro due to its shared resistance mechanisms with macrolides, potentially facilitating cross-resistance. The spatiotemporal model results revealed that coastal areas, particularly in the northern part of Singapore, are vulnerable to significant ARG accumulation, with monsoon seasons amplifying the spread of AMR due to hydrodynamic conditions. This study highlights the development of a robust modeling framework that provides valuable insights into the environmental drivers of AMR in coastal waters, offering a foundation for regulatory strategies and future research aimed at mitigating the risks of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments.

Sustainable water reuse in food production: risks of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and antimicrobial resistance gene release from tertiary-treated reclaimed water

2025-06-19

Pilar Truchado , Márcia Oliveira , Rebeca Cordero-García +5 more | Frontiers in Microbiology

Wastewater reuse for agricultural irrigation is increasingly essential, but it carries potential public health risks due to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluates the effectiveness of four … Wastewater reuse for agricultural irrigation is increasingly essential, but it carries potential public health risks due to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluates the effectiveness of four tertiary wastewater treatment technologies—peracetic acid (PAA), PAA combined with low-intensity ultraviolet-C (PAA/UV Low), high-intensity UV-C (UV High), and ultrafiltration (UF)—in reducing extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL- E. coli ) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in reclaimed water used for irrigation. The relative abundance of the genes, normalized to the 16S RNA gene present in the water samples, was then estimated to assess whether there is an amplification of these genes during the reuse process in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The results indicate that while all treatments significantly reduced ESBL- E. coli (≥3 logs cfu/100 mL) and ARGs (≥ 1.5 logs gc/100 mL), complete elimination was not achieved in any WWTP. Among the treatments, UF demonstrated the highest removal efficiency (≈4 log gc ARG/100 mL), against ARGs, followed by UV High (≈3 log gc ARG/100 mL), whereas PAA and PAA/UV Low were less effective (≈2 log gc ARG/100 mL). The study also found that while absolute ARG levels were reduced, their relative abundance remained stable or showed minimal decline, suggesting a persistent environmental reservoir of resistance genes. Among the ARGs analyzed, the most frequently detected were associated with tetracyclines ( tetW, tetA ), quinolones ( qnrB, qnrS ), and sulfonamides ( sul1, sul2 ), highlighting potential public health concerns. Moreover, multidrug-resistant (MDR) ESBL- E. coli isolates were present across all WWTPs, exhibiting resistance to β-lactams, quinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. Nevertheless, notably low levels of resistance to last-resort antibiotics (tigecycline, colistin, and meropenem) were observed. These findings underscore the critical role of tertiary treatments in mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks in water reuse systems. However, the persistence of ARGs in effluents suggests that current WWTP processes require further optimization.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacteria Isolated from Fresh Vegetables in Free State Province, South Africa

2025-06-19

Dineo Attela Mohapi , Tsepo Ramatla , Oriel Thekisoe +2 more | Foods

The important role of antibiotics cannot be overestimated, as human health relies heavily on them for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of pathogens … The important role of antibiotics cannot be overestimated, as human health relies heavily on them for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of pathogens isolated from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) collected from Free State Province were investigated. A total of 38 isolates representing 10 species, Enterobacter cloacae (5.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.2%), Micrococcus luteus (5.3%), Staphylococcus sciuri (5.3%), Acinetobacter haemolyticus (5.3%), Burkholderia cepacia (15.8%), Pseudomonas luteola (15.8%), Escherichia coli (18.4%), Citrobacter freundii (5.3%), and Serratia marcescens (10.5%), were confirmed by the Analytical Profile Index (API). We evaluated antibiotic resistance patterns of 38 unduplicated isolates using the disk diffusion method. As a result, E. coli (18.4%), B. cepacia (15.8%), P. luteola (15.8%), S. aureus (13.2%), and S. marcescens (10.5%), as well as 5.3% each for E. cloacae, M. luteus, S. sciuri, A. haemolyticus, and C. freundii, showed resistance to tested antibiotics. The majority (84%) of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline, and penicillin had a value of 71%. A total of 79% of the antibiotic-resistant isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR) to several classes such as β-lactams, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. The results highlight the importance of monitoring the microbiological quality of leafy greens as they contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria that could affect human health when consumed.

Livestock Antibiotics Use and Antimicrobial Resistance

2025-06-19

Elliot Enshaie , S. N. Nigam , Shaan Patel +1 more | Antibiotics

Background/Objectives: Antibiotic resistance or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock is a growing global concern that threatens both human and animal health. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in livestock production … Background/Objectives: Antibiotic resistance or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock is a growing global concern that threatens both human and animal health. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in livestock production have led to an increased propensity for the development of AMR bacterial strains in animals, which can be spread to humans through the consumption of contaminated animal products, direct contact, or environmental exposure. This review aims to summarize the development and transmission of AMR in livestock, explore its underlying mechanisms and impact on human and animal health, and discuss current practices and potential strategies for mitigation and prevention. Methods: For this narrative review, we searched articles on PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms antibiotic resistance, livestock, and environment, alone or in combination. Results: The history of antibiotic use in livestock and its link to increased AMR, along with the involved mechanisms, including the enzymatic breakdown of antibiotics, alterations in bacterial targets, horizontal gene transfer, and efflux pumps, are important. Antibiotics in livestock are used for growth promotion, disease prevention and control, and metaphylactic use. The role of livestock and the environment as reservoirs for resistant pathogens, their impact on human health, chronic infections, allergic reactions, toxicity, and the development of untreatable diseases is important to understand AMR. Conclusions: Given the widespread use of antibiotics and the potential consequences of AMR, collaborative global efforts, increased public awareness, coordinated regulations, and advancements in biological technology are required to mitigate the threat AMR poses to human and animal health. Regulatory solutions and the development of new therapeutic alternatives like antimicrobial peptides and bacteriophage therapy, and preventive measures such as DNA and mRNA vaccines, are future perspectives.

Emergence, Spread of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria and Phylogenetic Relationships in Coastal Ecosystems—Gastropod Phorcus lineatus as a Bioindicator

2025-06-19

Dércia Santos , Ana Rita Pinto , Ana Rita Barata +7 more | Microbiology Research

Coastal environments have been recognized as key reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The present study evaluated marine gastropods, Phorcus lineatus, as potential bioindicators to assess the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. P. … Coastal environments have been recognized as key reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The present study evaluated marine gastropods, Phorcus lineatus, as potential bioindicators to assess the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. P. lineatus was sampled in four sites, with different anthropogenic pressures, along the northwest Portuguese coastal area. From these specimens, bacteria were isolated and tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility, followed by their phylogenetic and pathotypic determination. All the Escherichia coli isolates showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. The highest levels of multidrug resistance (25%) were observed in E. coli isolates obtained from SITE 2, which is impacted by the city of Porto and industrial settlements, while nearly 17% of these isolates showed a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index higher than 0.2. Among the isolates, phylogroups A and B2 were the most prevalent, followed by phylogroup B1. The isolates of phylogroup A showed a higher prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. This study offers valuable insights into the antibiotic resistance risks posed to marine ecosystems and underscores the need for microbiological monitoring and the development of effective management strategies. The findings suggest P. lineatus as a potential bioindicator of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in marine environments.

Advanced Computational Approaches for Unraveling Transformation Pathways of Organic Micropollutants in Aquatic Environments: Insights from the Photodegradation of Ciprofloxacin

2025-06-19

Weiwen Sun , Xiao-Tong Geng , Jihong Xu +4 more | Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry

Investigating the transformation products (TPs) of organic micropollutants in aquatic environments is crucial for understanding their fate, evaluating ecological and human health risks, and developing effective mitigation strategies to protect … Investigating the transformation products (TPs) of organic micropollutants in aquatic environments is crucial for understanding their fate, evaluating ecological and human health risks, and developing effective mitigation strategies to protect water quality. Thus, it is essential to establish an efficient workflow with low technical complexity for high-throughput TP identification. In this study, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), stable isotope-labeled compounds, and similarity analysis were combined to develop an advanced computational approach for investigating the phototransformation processes of ciprofloxacin. A total of 68 tentatively ciprofloxacin-related TPs were extracted through isotope labeling experiments and formula filtering. Furthermore, structural elucidation of 42 TPs was achieved by combining HRMS/MS fragments and stable isotope labeling results, revealing that piperazinyl and cyclopropyl moieties are the key reaction sites of ciprofloxacin under solar irradiation. A novel similarity analysis workflow was developed to map the phototransformation pathways, establishing 80 parent-TP pairings. Dealkylation, oxygen addition, decarboxylation, and defluorination were found to be the dominant phototransformation reaction types of ciprofloxacin. The study highlights the complexity of ciprofloxacin phototransformation and provides a robust computational framework for elucidating the degradation pathways of organic contaminants. The developed methodology can be extended to study other emerging contaminants, supporting the design of more effective water treatment strategies and comprehensive risk assessments.

Encapsulated Hydrogels Enhance Sulfamethoxazole Removal via Structure-Driven Microbial Metabolisms

2025-06-19

Xinrui Lin , Zhipeng Xu , Feng Lin +6 more | ACS ES&T Engineering

Earthworm-driven modulation of atrazine biodegradation pathways in biofilters

2025-06-19

Xinyi Li , Jibin Wang , Xinhong Wang +4 more | Chemical Engineering Journal

Thermophilic microbial agents promote the fermentation progression of spent mushroom compost and pig manure

2025-06-18

Hongbo Du , Chongchong Lu , Abdul Latif +4 more | Frontiers in Microbiology

Livestock and poultry manure, as a significant organic resource, had an enormous annual production but a utilization rate of less than 50%. Improperly managed manure had become the primary source … Livestock and poultry manure, as a significant organic resource, had an enormous annual production but a utilization rate of less than 50%. Improperly managed manure had become the primary source of agricultural non-point pollution, posing severe challenges to the ecological environment. Achieving efficient resource utilization of livestock manure was a critical step in promoting green agricultural development. Existing research indicated that microbial activity significantly influences the transfer and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the community dynamics of human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) during pig manure composting. However, the specific mechanisms remain unclear. This study innovatively introduced two thermophilic microbial agents (TMS1 and CTMS2) into a pig manure-spent mushroom compost (SMC) aerobic composting system to systematically investigate their regulatory effects on pollutant reduction. The results showed that persistent ARGs ( ErmF , ErmQ , ErmX , blaR1 , QnrA1 , QnrA6 , bla-F , QnrA2 , QnrA5 , Qnra4 and bla-VIM ) primarily rely on vertical gene transfer (VGT) for dissemination, whereas easily removable ARGs ( tetX , tetW , tetG , tetC , suI1 and suI2 ) were regulated by both horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and VGT. Notably, the co-addition of thermophilic microbial agents and SMC reduced persistent ARGs by lg0.45–3.73, significantly decreased the abundances of HPB such as Bacteroides and Treponema , and reduced the enrichment of related metabolic pathways, greatly improving compost quality. In stark contrast, the control group (with only SMC and no thermophilic microbial agents) exhibited ARG proliferation. Overall, the application of thermophilic microbial agents not only extended the high temperature phase of composting by over 30% and shortened the composting cycle by 50%, but more importantly, it achieved comprehensive improvement in compost quality by selectively enriching functional microbial communities such as Pseudomonas . This study provides a theoretical foundation and data support for the industrial application of CTMS2 in the safe production of organic fertilizers and the synergistic control of environmental risks.

Mechanisms for disinfection-driven conjugative spread of antibiotic resistance in drinking water biofilms

2025-06-18

Jinshan Ma , Ziqian Huang , Yuxin He +3 more | Journal of Water Process Engineering

Withdrawal Time Estimation and Dietary Risk Assessment of Sulfamethoxazole in GIFT Tilapia (GIFT Oreochromis niloticus) After Oral Administration

2025-06-18

Xinyue Wang , Ruiqi Fan , Saisai Wang +6 more | Veterinary Sciences

Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic in aquaculture, lacks comprehensive research on its residual elimination kinetics in tilapia. This study investigated SMZ residue depletion, withdrawal periods, and dietary risks … Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic in aquaculture, lacks comprehensive research on its residual elimination kinetics in tilapia. This study investigated SMZ residue depletion, withdrawal periods, and dietary risks in 1-year-old GIFT tilapia (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus) weighing 500 ± 50 g, following oral gavage administration of a loading dose (200 mg/kg BW on day 1) and then 100 mg/kg BW daily for 6 more days, at 22 ± 2 °C. Tissue samples (plasma, muscle, skin, liver, kidney, gill, and remaining tissues) were collected from five fish per time point at intervals from 0.33 to 30 days post-administration, with SMZ residues quantified via HPLC-MS/MS. Results revealed peak SMZ concentrations at 0.33 days (8 h), ordered as liver > skin > plasma > kidney > remaining tissues > gill > muscle. Muscle residues fell below the maximum residue limit (MRL, 100 μg/kg) by day 3, while skin required 10 days. Kidney residues dropped below the limit of detection (LOD) earliest (16 days), followed by muscle, gill, and remaining tissues (25 days), whereas plasma, liver, and skin retained detectable levels until day 30. Elimination equations for SMZ across tissues exhibited first-order kinetics. Based on the specific conditions of this study, a minimum 11-day withdrawal period is recommended for edible tissues (muscle + skin) after SMZ administration. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for all tissues remained below the safety threshold (HQ = 1), indicating low dietary risk. These findings support SMZ use standardization in tilapia aquaculture to ensure food safety compliance.

Detection of Cytotoxic Antimetabolites in Water: Current Analytical Methods

2025-06-18

Selen Al , Aykut Kul , Olcay Sağırlı | Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry

Water is an essential resource for sustaining life and plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. However, the accumulation of cytotoxic drugs used in cancer treatment, such … Water is an essential resource for sustaining life and plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. However, the accumulation of cytotoxic drugs used in cancer treatment, such as antimetabolites, in aquatic ecosystems has become a major problem threatening environmental sustainability. Since cytotoxic drugs can sustain their biochemical activity even at low concentrations, they can have toxic effects on ecological systems. This review examines in detail the analytical methods available for detecting antimetabolites in water. Due to its high sensitivity and selectivity, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the most widely used method for the detection of antimetabolites. However, in this method, matrix effects are one of the main problems. In addition, analyses have shown that conventional wastewater treatment systems cannot adequately remove these components. This situation causes antimetabolites to persist in the environmental cycle and pose potential ecotoxicological risks. In this context, advanced analytical techniques should be used to better understand the environmental effects of antimetabolites and to develop effective removal methods. This review provides a comprehensive source for researchers working in the field of environmental analytical chemistry and is expected to contribute to the existing literature and guide future research. Furthermore, future studies will allow for better modeling of the environmental dispersion of antimetabolites, development of more effective treatment methods, and more in-depth investigation of the long-term effects of these compounds on aquatic ecosystems. Research in this field is critical for reducing environmental health risks and protecting sustainable water resources.

TP-Transformer: An Interpretable Model for Predicting the Transformation Pathways of Organic Pollutants in Chemical Oxidation Processes

2025-06-18

Zhenhua Dai , Jihong Xu , Jian Guan +7 more | Environmental Science & Technology

Chemical oxidation is pivotal in remediating organic pollutants in aquatic systems; however, it frequently yields transformation products (TPs) with potential toxicological profiles surpassing those of the parent pollutants. Comprehensive identification … Chemical oxidation is pivotal in remediating organic pollutants in aquatic systems; however, it frequently yields transformation products (TPs) with potential toxicological profiles surpassing those of the parent pollutants. Comprehensive identification of these TPs is imperative for environmental risk assessment and optimization of oxidation methodologies. Traditional experimental approaches for TP elucidation are often hindered by substantial financial and technical constraints, limiting their applicability in high-throughput scenarios. Here, we introduce TP-Transformer, an advanced deep learning framework designed to predict both the structures of TPs and their corresponding formation pathways. Trained on Chem_Oxi_2K, a meticulously curated data set comprising 2780 pollutant degradation reactions, TP-Transformer achieved a notable accuracy of 86.28% in TP prediction. The model adeptly reconstructs complete degradation pathways, addressing the intricate challenge of pathway elucidation. Attention analyses indicate that the TP-Transformer discerns reactive moieties within substrates and correlates them with specific reaction conditions, emulating expert-level chemical reasoning. Experimental validations corroborate the model's robustness, with accurate TP predictions ranging from 80.20 to 92.86% for five pollutants absent from the training data set. These findings underscore TP-Transformer's potential to transform environmental chemistry by offering a scalable, precise, and efficient alternative to traditional experimental methodologies, thereby enhancing water treatment strategies and safeguarding ecological and human health.