The Presence and Impact of Antibiotic Residues in the Environment
ANTİBİOTİCS
Antibiotics are chemical substances that inhibit or kill the growth and reproduction of bacteria. They are specifically used to treat bacterial infections, excluding viral infections such as the flu and the cammon cold. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics can lead the serious healty problems, including the development of bacterial resistance reducig the effectiveness of the medication in subsequent infections. Although initially seen as an individual concern, this issue poses a thereat to public health and constrains treaatment protocols.
( Photo 1 : Tracking use in Europe Antibiotics )
Where are the antibiotics we use going ?
In Europe alone, over 10,000 tons of antibiotics are consumed annually. Approximately 30-60% of the diverse substances used as antibiotics are excreted from the bodies of human and animal in their unchanged form. Subsequently, these substances mix with the seas and oceans through sewage systems, fish farms, and runoff from agriculture and waste disposal sites. The release of antibiotic residues into water sources can have adverse effects on aquatic life and ecosystems.Antibiotics in water sources may accumulate in aquatic organisms, impacting the upper levels of the food chain. Additionally, these residues have the potential to exert selective pressure on microorganisms in water systems, contributing to the increase of antibiotic resistance in the natural aquatic environments.
(Photo 2 : Where are the antibiotics we use going ?)
Filtration of antibiotics wastewater
Filtering antibiotic wastewater is a complex process achieved through water purification technologies. These precesses aim to remove antibiotic residues and other pollutants from water systems, minimizing environmental impacts.. However, the use of these technologies comes with factors such as costs, energy consumption, and operational complexity.Therefore, comprehensive research and engineering solutions are necessary to determine the most suitable filtration strategy for each application. Some importans types of filtering are these:
- Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration
- Actived Carbon Adsorption
- Ozonation
- İon Exchange Resin
İn conclusion, antibiotics, despite being a significant achievement in modern medicine, pose serious environmental concerns. The widespread use of antibiotics leads to their presence in water systems through various sources, ranging from hospitals to domestic waste. These residues adversely affect living organisms in water, causing harm to the ecosystem. Additionalty, the presence of antibiotics in the environment may lead tot he development of resistant bacterial strains, reducing the effectivensess of antibiotics. Uncontrolled release of antibiotic residues need more frequent legal regulations for prevention and filtration of wastewater beacuse manufacturing companies and similar organizations might not priotitize this adequately,citing factors like cost.On an individual level , developing conscious usage strategies becomes an essential environmental goal.
