Fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the environment
Premasis Sukul1, Michael Spiteller
1Institute of Environmental Research (INFU), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, University of Dortmund, 44221 Dortmund, Germany.
Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|August 22, 2007
Summary
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) enter soil via animal and human waste. While strongly binding to soil, FQs can persist, impacting ecosystems and potentially leading to resistant bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are widely used in human and veterinary medicine.
- Excretion of FQs and their metabolites leads to environmental contamination.
- Residues in food pose risks of drug-resistant bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the environmental fate and impact of Fluoroquinolones.
- To understand the pathways of FQ contamination in soil and water.
- To assess the effectiveness of removal processes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of FQ excretion products.
- Soil binding studies.
- Wastewater treatment efficiency assessment.
- Photodegradation experiments.
Main Results:
- FQs and metabolites contaminate soil through animal and human waste.
- Strong soil binding limits water contamination but delays biodegradation.
- Wastewater treatment removes 79%-87% of FQs.
- Photodegradation occurs in aqueous environments.
Conclusions:
- Fluoroquinolone environmental persistence is influenced by strong soil binding.
- Wastewater treatment is effective in reducing FQ release into rivers.
- Photodegradation offers another removal pathway for FQs in aquatic systems.
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