Spatiotemporal distribution, source apportionment and combined pollution of antibiotics in natural waters adjacent to mariculture areas in the Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Q.F.; Song, C.; Sun, X.; Zhao, S.; Wang, S.G.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 279(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Antibiotics -- Spatiotemporal distribution -- Source apportionment -- Heavy metal -- Bohai sea; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The spatiotemporal distribution, source apportionment and combined pollution of 14 antibiotics in natural waters adjacent to mariculture farms of Laizhou Bay in the Bohai Sea were studied. The contribution proportion and quantity of each potential pollution source to antibiotics in natural water bodies were quantitatively described. The correlations between heavy metals and antibiotics and their underlying mechanisms in natural and aquaculture water environment were analyzed. Fourteen antibiotics were detected in natural water and sediment in the coastal area of Laizhou Bay. The maximum concentrations of sulfamethazine and trimethoprim in water reached tens or even hundreds of μg/L in winter. Trimethoprim was the main antibiotic in natural water bodies in winter and summer, and enrofloxacin was the principal antibiotic in sediments. Enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and oxytetracycline were detected in all underground water samples; thus, control of these antibiotics needs to be made a priority to mitigate groundwater contamination. PCA–MLR revealed that the potential sources of antibiotics in natural waters of Laizhou Bay include the mariculture wastewater (18.3%), the domestic sewage (63.3%) and the livestock wastewater (18.4%). Therefore, the antibiotic burden of Laizhou Bay was principally from the domestic sewage. In natural water, the concentration of Cu was positively correlated with antibiotics, which might be related to the common sources, the competitive adsorption in sediments and the easy complexation characteristic of Cu and antibiotics. Positive correlations among antibiotics and heavy metals were observed in mariculture sediments, while negative relationships were observed in natural sediments. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The main antibiotics in natural water and sediment were TMP and ENR, respectively. ENR, CIP and OTC were detected in the groundwater surrounding the Laizhou Bay. Antibiotic burden of seawater in Laizhou Bay was principally from domestic sewage. As a coexisting contaminant, Cu was positively correlated with some antibiotics.