Grantee Research Project Results
2002 Progress Report: Fate and Effects of Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Agents in Aquatic Ecosystems
EPA Grant Number: R829008Title: Fate and Effects of Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Agents in Aquatic Ecosystems
Investigators: Graham, David W. , deNoyelles, Frank J. , Lydy, Michael J. , Larive, Cynthia K.
Institution: University of Kansas
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Project Period: August 20, 2001 through August 19, 2004 (Extended to August 19, 2006)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 20, 2001 through August 19, 2002
Project Amount: $520,976
RFA: Drinking Water (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water Quality , Water
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to assess the fate, attenuation, and ecotoxicity of selected fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics on surface water quality. These compounds are of concern because: (1) they are potent antibacterial agents and possible genotoxins; (2) they are frequently used in agriculture and medicine; and (3) little is known about their environmental fate or impact. In this study, we are specifically assessing the fate and impact of FQs in aquatic systems using both laboratory and field-scale studies. Associated with these efforts, new methods for detecting and analyzing FQs at low concentrations and their breakdown products are being developed.
Progress Summary:
Early work focused on developing new methods for the analysis of ciprofloxacin (cipro) and its breakdown products at low levels in the environment. This task has been successfully achieved using newly refined extraction and concentration protocols, and liquid chromatography/nuclear magnetic resonance (LC/NMR) and LC/mass spectrometry (MS)/MS (LC/MS/MS) analytical methods. These methods currently are being extended to other related FQ compounds. These methods also are being used to monitor cipro levels in controlled laboratory and field tests aimed at determining the factors that dictate cipro fate in the natural environment. Data indicate that the cipro decay rate is highly variable because it appears to be highly photosensitive and tends to adsorb onto natural particulate matter in water columns. Therefore, cipro levels in water columns tend to be low, whereas cipro decay rates can be very slow in sediments, especially under low light conditions. Current work is being performed on cipro decay mechanisms, with a special emphasis on breakdown product formation patterns associated with photo decay. Parallel studies are being performed on the ecotoxicological impacts of cipro, including tendencies to develop FQ antibacterial resistance development in the environment.
Future Activities:
We will continue efforts on four main tasks that currently are ongoing. First, the analytical methods developed for cipro are being extended to other FQs and equivalent laboratory and field-testing studies are being performed on these new compounds. A special focus is on enrofloxacin because it is among the most commonly used FQs in agriculture. Second, we are studying underlying causes of the observed variability in cipro decay rate, with key parameters including: (1) the levels of particulate and dissolved organic carbon; (2) light intensity; (3) the presence of simultaneously active organic compounds that might affect photodegradation reactions; and (4) possible biotransformation reactions. Third, new molecular biological protocols are being developed for monitoring FQ antibacterial resistance development in natural systems. These protocols are based on "real-time" PCR technology. Finally, ecotoxicological experiments are continuing on selected algae, amphipods, and fathead minnows with the goal of refining observed exposure effects, and determining the ability of H. azteca and P. promelas to accumulate, biotransform, and eliminate ciprofloxacin using toxicokinetic studies.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 43 publications | 19 publications in selected types | All 18 journal articles |
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Cardoza LA, Almeida VK, Carr A, Larive CK, Graham DW. Separations coupled with NMR detection. Trends in Analytical Chemistry 2003;22(10):766-775. |
R829008 (2002) R829008 (2003) R829008 (2004) R829008 (2005) R829008 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
photodegradation, floroquinolone, FQ, ciprofloxacin, cipro, enrofloxacin., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Waste, Ecological Risk Assessment, Health Risk Assessment, Fate & Transport, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Drinking Water, Ecology and Ecosystems, anticeptics, toxicokinetics, ecological effects, microbial contamination, antibiotics, water quality, stressors, microbial risk management, monitoring, chemical contaminants, fate, microbial effects, drinking water contaminants, fate and transport, exposure, ecological exposure, antibacterial agents, pharmaceuticals, fluoroquinolone, human health effects, aquatic ecosystems, exposure and effectsProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.