The dispersion of antibiotics in the environment is an area of great concern. Escalating use of antibiotics has led to persistence of these compounds in both soil and natural waters. This has implications for a variety of environmental issues, including the increasing population of resistant strains of bacteria. Results from studies done in the field are influenced by a variety of complex factors. This project involves the development of methods to systematically study these compounds in the laboratory, including the use of a model soil system and solid phase extraction from aqueous solutions to detect low concentrations. Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), a common sulfonamide antibiotic, is used as a model compound. The extraction of SMZ from both water and soil samples was monitored using two different detection methods, GCMS and fluorescence. Fluorescence detection has the advantages of simple sample preparation and quick analysis time, but the results are complicated by the presence of any fluorescent impurities in the sample. GCMS analysis can reliably detect SMZ from a mixture of compounds, but requires the derivatization of SMZ to make the compound volatile.  These methods are used as a basis for partitioning and degradation studies.

Characterization of behavior of sulfonamide antibiotics: Implications for environmental persistence

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.