A brief account of the antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in an aquatic environment

Abstract

Inappropriate disposal of pharmaceutical waste containing antibiotics into water bodies developed the catastrophe of antibiotic resistance. The occurrence and, thereafter, bioaccumulation of antibiotics in the aquatic ecosystem have raised concern about their associated toxicity toward aquatic organisms. Their presence in aquatic bodies has been widely discussed in developed nations. However, in many developing countries like India, minimal research has been reported on the status of antibiotics in the aquatic environment. This chapter summarizes the global distribution of antibiotics in the aquatic environment, their effects on the microbial community, the evaluation and assessment of antibiotic risks, and the source tracking of these emerging pollutants. Another key objective of this chapter is to investigate the trends in consumption, distribution, and fate of major antibiotic classes in India and their dynamic relation to the biotic world. The eco-toxicity of these emerging contaminants towards different flora and fauna communities at different trophic levels with targeted assessment and remediation technologies, including percent removal efficiencies, has been discussed. Legislative and regulatory measures carried out for the effective management of this growing epidemic by various governments have also been discussed. © 2024 IWAP.