Antibiotics In Aquatic Environment Research Articles

Adsorption of sulfamonomethoxine antibiotics to cucurbit[6]uril polymer: kinetics and thermodynamic studies

The occurrence of sulfonamide antibiotics in aquatic environments has been recognized as a significant issue warranting focused attention. A cucurbituril polymer (CP) was used as an adsorbent for sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) in aqueous solution. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using non-linear Freundlich and Henry isotherm equations. Five error functions were used to predict the parameters of the isotherm. The Freundlich model had performed better with respect the equilibrium data and the HYBRID error function provided the lowest sum of normalized error. Our thermodynamic investigation indicated that the adsorption of SMM onto CP was spontaneous at all temperatures and was an exothermic process. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic model were used to fit the kinetics process of SMM adsorption on CP. The adsorption of SMM could be best described by the pseudo-second-order equation. The intra-particle diffusion model was used to further analyze the diffusion mechanism of SMM on CP. The result implies that intra-particle diffusion is not the only rate-limiting step. And the adsorption was favorable in the pH range of 2.0–6.0. The results indicate that CP could serve as alternative adsorbent for removing SMM antibiotics from water.

The occurrence of quinolone and imidazole antibiotics in rivers in Central Taiwan

The occurrence of antibiotics in aquatic environments has been of increasing concern around the world due to their ability to alter the structure of microbial communities and to promote the development of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Six major rivers in Central Taiwan were investigated for the occurrence of the eight most frequently prescribed quinolone and imidazole antibiotics using solid-phase extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. Nalidixic acid, flumequine, ofloxacin, dimetridazole, and metronidazole were detected at 0.8–192 ng/L in the water samples. The three most frequently detected antibiotics at all sampling sites were metronidazole, nalidixic acid, and flumequine (detection frequency (n = 24) ⩾19 sites). The highest concentration of flumequine was detected at 192 ± 6.5 ng/L in the Old Zhuoshui River. Compared to the available predicted no-effect concentration data, the risk quotients of flumequine and ofloxacin were estimated to be close to one. The Old Zhuoshui and Beigang Rivers were shown to be the two most contaminated rivers with the nearby animal husbandries being the important source of contamination. The information provided here warrants future attention and is useful for the development of regulation and remediation strategies.

Effects of Matrix and Functional Groups on Tylosin Adsorption onto Resins and Carbon Nanotubes

The presence of macrolide antibiotics in aquatic environments causes serious antibiotic resistance propagation in microorganisms. In this study, the use of porous resins as adsorbents for the removal of tylosin from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The effectiveness of the resins (macroporous resin XAD-4, hypercross-linked resin MN-202, and aminated polystyrene resin MN-150) was compared with commercial hydroxylated multiwall carbon nanotubes (H-MWCNTs). Similar patterns of pH-dependent adsorption were observed despite the different surface properties and pore structures of the three resins, implying the importance of the tylosin molecular form in the adsorption process. Tylosin adsorption onto the four adsorbents showed different ionic strengths and temperature dependence consistent with the tylosin speciation and corresponding adsorption mechanism. The adsorption of tylosin onto the XAD-4 and MN-202 is mainly controlled by the intermolecular interactions between the matrix of the adsorbents and the tylosin molecule, whereas specific bonds among multiple surface functional groups are the predominant contributors to MN-150 and H-MWCNTs. The pore size is the key parameter in tylosin adsorption onto the surface of the adsorbents. The adsorption kinetics of the four adsorbents followed the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherm data well fit the Langmuir models, indicating surface coverage by a monomolecular layer.

A Qualitative Survey of Five Antibiotics in a Water Treatment Plant in Central Plateau of Iran

Introduction. This study aimed to survey a total of five common human and veterinary antibiotics based on SPE-LC-MS-MS technology in a water treatment plant at central plateau of Iran. Also two sampling techniques, passive and grab samplings, were compared in the detection of selected antibiotics. Materials and Methods. In January to March 2012, grab and passive samples were taken from the influent and effluent of a water treatment plant. The samples were prepared using solid-phase extraction (SPE), and extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Results. The results showed that enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and tylosin were not detected in none of the samples. However, ampicillin was detected in the grab and passive samples taken from the influent (source water) of the plant, and ciprofloxacin was detected in passive samples taken from the influent and effluent (finished water) of the plant. Conclusion. The results imply that passive sampling is a better approach than grab sampling for the investigation of antibiotics in aquatic environments. The presence of ampicillin and ciprofloxacin in source water and finished water of the water treatment plant may lead to potential emergence of resistant bacteria that should be considered in future studies.

Analysis of antibiotics from liquid sample using electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry

The recent findings of antibiotic residues in aquatic environment at trace level have gained much concern for the detrimental effect on ecological and human health due to bacterial resistance. Here, the feasibility of using electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS) for analysis antibiotics in liquid sample is demonstrated. Reduced mobilities and collision cross sections of 18 antibiotics are experimentally measured and compared with theoretical values according to mass-mobility correlation. Gentamicin is used as an example to investigate the capability of ESI-IMS for multi-component analysis of antibiotics. Mixtures of antibiotics at different concentrations are analyzed. The estimated detection limit for amoxicillin is 0.7mgL−1 (70pg) and the linear range of response maintains over two orders. This method will be a potential technique for the analysis of antibiotics in aquatic environment.

Investigation into adsorption mechanisms of sulfonamides onto porous adsorbents

The presence of sulfonamide antibiotics in aquatic environments poses potential ecological risks and dangers to human health. In this study, porous resins as adsorbents for the removal of two sulfonamides, sulfadiazine and sulfadimidine, from aqueous solutions were evaluated. Activated carbon F-400 was included as a comparative adsorbent. Despite the different surface properties and pore structures of the three resins, similar patterns of pH-dependent adsorption were observed, implying the importance of sulfonamide molecular forms to the adsorption process on the resins. Sulfonamide adsorption to the three resins exhibited different ionic strengths and temperature dependence consistent with sulfonamide speciation and the corresponding adsorption mechanism. Adsorption of sulfadiazine to F-400 was relatively insensitive to pH and ionic strength as micropore-filling mainly contributed to adsorption. The adsorption mechanism of sulfadiazine to the hypercrosslinked resin MN-200 was similar to that of the macroporous resin XAD-4 at lower pH values, whereas it was almost identical to the aminated resin MN-150 at higher pH. This work provided an understanding of adsorption behavior and mechanism of sulfonamide antibiotics on different adsorbents and should result in more effective applications of porous resin for antibiotics removal from industrial wastewater.

Oxidation Kinetics of Antibiotics during Water Treatment with Potassium Permanganate

The ubiquitous occurrence of antibiotics in aquatic environments raises concerns about potential adverse effects on aquatic ecology and human health, including the promotion of increased antibiotic resistance. This study examined the oxidation of three widely detected antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, lincomycin, and trimethoprim) by potassium permanganate [KMnO(4); Mn(VII)]. Reaction kinetics were described by second-order rate laws, with apparent second-order rate constants (k(2)) at pH 7 and 25 degrees C in the order of 0.61 +/- 0.02 M(-1) s(-1) (ciprofloxacin) < 1.6 +/- 0.1 M(-1) s(-1) (trimethoprim) < 3.6 +/- 0.1 M(-1) s(-1) (lincomycin). Arrhenius temperature dependence was observed with apparent activation energies (E(a)) ranging from 49 kJ mol(-1) (trimethoprim) to 68 kJ mol(-1) (lincomycin). Rates of lincomycin and trimethoprim oxidation exhibited marked pH dependences, whereas pH had only a small effect on rates of ciprofloxacin oxidation. The effects of pH were quantitatively described by considering parallel reactions between KMnO(4) and individual acid-base species of the target antibiotics. Predictions from a kinetic model that included temperature, KMnO(4) dosage, pH, and source water oxidant demand as input parameters agreed reasonably well with measurements of trimethoprim and lincomycin oxidation in six drinking water utility sources. Although Mn(VII) reactivity with the antibiotics was lower than that reported for ozone and free chlorine, its high selectivity and stability suggests a promising oxidant for treating sensitive micropollutants in organic-rich matrices (e.g., wastewater).

Adsorption of Pharmaceutical Antibiotics on Template-Synthesized Ordered Micro- and Mesoporous Carbons

The presence of pharmaceutical antibiotics in aquatic environments poses potential human health and ecological risks. We synthesized ordered micro- and mesoporous carbons, and further conducted batch experiments to systematically examine their adsorption properties toward three antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and tylosin, in aqueous solution. In comparison, nonporous graphite, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and two commercial microporous activated carbons were included as additional adsorbents. Adsorption of low-sized sulfamethoxazole was stronger on the activated carbons than on other carbonaceous adsorbents resulting from the pore-filling effect; in contrast, due to the size-exclusion effect adsorption of bulky tetracycline and tylosin was much lower on the activated carbons, especially for the more microporous one, than on the synthesized carbons. After normalizing for adsorbent surface area, adsorption of tetracycline and tylosin on the synthesized carbons was similar to that on nonporous graphite, reflecting complete accessibility of the adsorbent surface area in adsorption. Additionally, compared with other porous adsorbents the synthesized carbons showed faster adsorption kinetics of tetracycline and tylosin, which was attributed to their regular-shaped, open and interconnected three-dimensional pore structure. The findings indicate that template-synthesized micro- and mesoporous carbons are promising adsorbents for the removal of antibiotics, particularly, the bulky and flexible-structured compounds, from aqueous solution.

Adsorption of Sulfonamide Antibiotics to Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The presence of sulfonamide antibiotics in aquatic environments has been recognized as an issue warranting consideration. In this study, we evaluated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) as a potential effective adsorbent for removal of two sulfonamide antibiotics, sulfapyridine and sulfamethoxazole, from aqueous solutions. Nonporous, functionality-free graphite was included as a comparative adsorbent. Despite the very low hydrophobicity, the two sulfonamides adsorbed strongly to MWNT and graphite, a fact attributed to pi-pi electron coupling with the graphene surface of the adsorbent. For both sulfonamide antibiotics, similar patterns of pH-dependent adsorption were observed between MWNT and graphite, implying the predominance of graphene structures for the adsorption to MWNT. Moreover, the observed pH effects on adsorption indicate that the protonated neutral form of sulfonamide adsorbs much more strongly than the deprotonated anionic counterpart does. The effects of ionic strength (NaCl and CaCl2) and the presence of a dissolved soil humic acid on adsorption of the two antibiotics to MWNT and graphite were also assessed. Ring current-induced 1H NMR upfield chemical shifts further verified face-to-face complex formation between neutral sulfamethoxazole and model pi-electron donor compounds (naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene) in solution.

Multiresistant waterborne pathogens isolated from water reservoirs and cooling systems

To determine the incidence of multiple antibiotic-resistant strains of the emergent human pathogens Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mesophilic Aeromonas species among those isolated from water reservoirs and industrial cooling systems. Water from four natural water reservoirs and four industrial cooling towers was sampled for 1 year period. The total heterotrophs, mesophilic Aeromonas, Pseudomonas spp. and Legionella spp. counts were performed as recommended by standard procedures, and the sensitivity of the isolates to 27 antibiotics was tested. A total of 117 Aeromonas, 60 P. aeruginosa and 15 L. pneumophila strains were isolated and identified by means of biochemical tests and DNA probes. 46.4% of Aeromonas, and 100% of P. aeruginosa isolates presented multiple resistance. Legionella pneumophila strains were generally sensitive to the drugs used. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria belonging to P. aeruginosa and mesophilic Aeromonas species are common in natural aquatic environments. Thus, the risk of waterborne diseases owing to domestic and industrial uses of freshwater should be re-examined from the increase of bacterial resistance point of view. These data confirm the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in aquatic environments.

Determination of antibiotics in aquatic environment by solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A robust and sensitive solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (LC–ESI-MS) method for determination of antibiotics viz., fluoroquinolones, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and cephalosporines in surface waters was developed. The sample recoveries on Oasis HLB cartridges were found to be >80%. Identification was carried out by LC–ESI-MS/MS. The positive ion ESI mass spectra containing the peaks of quasimolecular ions [M+H] + allowed the determination of molecular masses whereas the fragment ions obtained by MS/MS of [M+H] + ions permitted the structural assignment. Quantification was carried out by selective ion monitoring (SIM) using the quasimolecular ions [M+H] + of the parent compounds. The detection and quantification limits were found to be in the range of 0.6–8.1 and 2.0–24.0 μg/L. The surface waters of different lakes and tanks of Hyderabad, India were found to contain a few antibiotics.