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For decades, humans and animals have been using antibiotics on a large scale to prevent or treat diseases and promote the growth of livestock and aquaculture [1]. The annual use of antibiotics in the world is estimated at between 100,000 and 200,000 tons [2]; China alone uses more than 25,000 tons of antibiotics a year [3]. Antibiotic-resistant genes have been recognized as an emerging pollutant in the environment. The potential toxicity of antibiotics to aquatic organisms and humans is also attracting scholars' interest [4]. Furthermore, medical antibiotic abuse situations are becoming a concern in China. The outpatient antibiotic utilization rate is 75% of patients with colds, 95% of surgical procedures, and 80% of hospitalized patients-far more than the international standard of no more than 30% [2]. Untreated antibiotics by sewage treatment plant, landfill leachate, and agricultural runoff are three

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Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic heavy metals and has recently become a global concern. The eco-toxicological effects of Cd in soilplant system are attracting more and more attention. Now many studies are mainly related to the effects of Cd on herbs and crops, and less information is on ornamental plants. Therefore in the present study, the eco-toxicological responses of five ornamental plants (Lonicera japonica Thunb., Weigela florida cv. Red Prince, Ginkgo biloba L., Parthenocissus quinquefolia and Parthenocissus semicordata) to Cd were investigated. Five Cd treatment concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg L −1) were set. The results showed that the difference of physiological and biochemical characteristics in the plants under different Cd concentrations, such as antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll contents and cell membrance permeability. The maintenance of high superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in L. japonica was observed along with the increased Cd concentration, suggesting that the plant had better tolerance than another four plants, and had strong internal detoxification mechanisms to Cd stress. The results will provide an important scientific reference for remediation and management of Cd-contaminated soil.

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