Antibiotic assessment of point and non-point sources in the north-eastern state of Assam, India-a step towards abating antibiotic menace.

Abstract

We are surrounded by various kinds of chemical entities which are causing stress to our ecosystem. Antibiotics are one of many pollutants that are causing a multitude of problems to not just humans but every being on this planet. The fact that antibiotics, which are top priority pollutants under the category of contaminants of emerging concerns, have gained the status of persistent pollutants has already brought the attention of the scientific community towards assessing and monitoring antibiotic pollution levels in environmental waters. In light of this, environmental assessment of such pollutants becomes urgent and necessary. In this study, we have investigated antibiotics in different point and non-point sources across Assam, India. A total of 16 samples were collected and analyzed via the HPLC-UV method for quantitation, followed by LC-MS analysis of positive samples for confirmation of analytes. The nature of samples ranges from various cattle farms, veterinary hospitals, sewage treatment plants, and water treatment plants to the Brahmaputra River and its tributary. Finally, the ICP-MS study was taken up for all 16 samples and was analyzed for 24 different elements. The analysis was done via an optimized and ICH-tripartite guideline-validated method. The highest concentration was of amoxicillin, 1216.98 μg/L. However, the highest frequency was of tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. The results concluded that there is contamination of commonly used antibiotics in point and non-point sources. If these waters are fed to major receiving waters, this could lead to their contamination as well.