From agricultural fields to surface water systems: the overland transport of veterinary antibiotics

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess if veterinary antibiotics, which are introduced to agricultural fields via fertilizer, are present in water systems (in both water and sediment) following overland transport via runoff and soil erosion. Materials and methods Three water and sediment sampling schemes were conducted in Germany between June 2013 and June 2014 to examine the effects of (1) season, (2) heavy rainfall and (3) high veterinary antibiotic usage. The samples were analysed for 15 veterinary antibiotics using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results and discussion Antibiotics were detected in all three schemes in trace quantities. This is the first time that veterinary antibiotics have been detected in German sediment. Conclusions In particular, the presence of tetracycline in sediment taken from irrigation ditches in an agricultural area of high veterinary antibiotic usage offers proof that the overland transport of veterinary antibiotics is occurring. Due to the strong sorption of veterinary antibiotics (particularly tetracyclines) to soils, further research into their transport via soil erosion and assessment of their presence in sediment is advised.

Antibiotics and microbial resistance in Brazilian soils under manure application

“…The concentrations of antibiotics and resistance genes found in the Guaporé soils tend to be similar to those observed in other agricultural soils worldwide (see Bailey et al, ; Heuer et al, ; Hou et al, ; Li et al, ; Malik et al, ; Popowska et al, ; Thiele‐Bruhn, ; Wei et al, ; Zhou et al, ). Indeed, animal production in feedlot systems (poultry and pigs) is based on similar technologies.…”

“…Rainfall events favour also soil erosion, which in turn may favour the transport of pharmaceutical compounds attached to soils particles. Bailey, Spielmeyer, Frings, Hamscher, and Schüttrumpf () highlight the displacement of 15 veterinary antibiotics (introduced to German agricultural fields via fertilisation) by runoff and soil erosion. The authors argue that this transport pathway should be studied more intensely to investigate the contamination of river sediments, because some veterinary antibiotics tend to be strongly sorbed to soil particles (Pereira Leal, Ferracciu Alleoni, Tornisielo, & Regitano, ).…”

“…Regardless of the soil potential soil particle export, there is a significant risk of transporting these chemicals into water systems and higher trophic levels. Bailey et al () found the substances SMX (30–37 μg kg −1 ), SMTZ (>20 μg kg −1 ), and tetracyclines (<750 μg kg −1 ) in river sediments adjacent to agricultural fields in Germany. Considering a concentration of 1 μg kg −1 of compound (e.g., SMX), the erosion rate in the Guaporé catchment may lead to a potential export of 394.6 mg of compound per km 2 per year (assuming that the compound concentration in soil remains stable throughout 1 year, i.e., not considering biodegradation or additional contamination).…”

Artificial Aquatic Ecosystems

“…Many artificial waterbodies support species-poor [60] or otherwise undesirable communities or organisms, including disease vectors [58,61,62], and can spread pest species to natural habitats [63,64]. Some have also contributed to, accelerated, or facilitated flow of excess nutrients and other pollutants [65,66], activation of toxicants [58], interrupted desirable species' movement and dispersal [67], increased greenhouse gas emissions [27,68], yielded bad smells [69], and even concealed crime [70]. Other examples of ecosystem disservices proffered by artificial water bodies appear in Table A1.…”

Detection, Occurrence and Fate of Emerging Contaminants in Agricultural Environments

“…Bailey et al (2015) investigated overland transport and potential impact of 15 veterinary antibiotics, including sulfamethazine, on German surface water quality. Three sampling schemes 1) seasonal, 2) post-flood and 3) high usage sampling were simulated.…”