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Seminar

M.S. Thesis Defense - Kate Glause

Occurrence, inputs, and ecological significance of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in Western Nebraska streams

Date:
Time:
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Hardin Hall Room: 901 South
3310 Holdrege St
Lincoln NE 68583
Additional Info: HARH
Virtual Location: Zoom Webinar
Target Audiences:
Contact:
Dan Snow, dsnow1@unl.edu
Abstract: Antibiotics are a vital component of medicine, especially when treating humans and animals, however, their use can have negative consequences. Pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, may be introduced into streams through wastewater discharge, leaching, and runoff in rural and urban settings. Even though discharging wastewater is a widespread practice, the occurrence of antibiotics in the environment may lead to changes in ecosystem processes and can influence the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. This research was established to evaluate the occurrence and type of antibiotics present in streams and determine whether urban wastewater, row cropping and manure application, or animal feeding operations are the main contributors. Three streams near Scottsbluff, Nebraska were chosen to sample based on the information gathered from other researchers and the known agricultural and urban influences. A confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) was one possible source of antibiotic presence in streams. The stream where the local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges was also chosen to study and a stream that has agricultural fields along it that may have row cropping, manure application, or livestock present throughout the year. Polar organic chemistry integrative samplers (POCIS) that allow measurement of very low concentrations of antibiotics in surface water, were placed into the streams and left for around a month to determine differences between sites influenced by wastewater, surface runoff, or seepage. Results show distinct differences in antibiotic levels between the agriculturally influenced streams and discharge from the WWTP, however, several types of antibiotics present are the same. In this review, the significance of antibiotics and water quality will be discussed, along with the fieldwork techniques, sample preparation, analysis, and conclusions. This research is important as it can lead to further exploration and understanding of the ecological impacts, antibiotic resistance, and other influences antibiotics may have when introduced to the environment.

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