TY - GEN
T1 - Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria of soils irrigated with reclaimed wastewater
AU - McLain, Jean E.T.
AU - Williams, Clinton F.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Wastewater reclamation for municipal irrigation is an increasingly attractive option for extending water supplies. However, public health concerns include the potential for development of antibiotic resistance (AR) in soil bacteria after exposure to residual chemicals in reclaimed water. Though scientific studies have reported high levels of AR in soils irrigated with wastewater, these works often ignore the natural occurrence of soil AR. We are comparing AR patterns in soil Enterococcus isolated from water storage basins recharged with either reclaimed water or groundwater in central Arizona. Resistance to 16 antibiotics is being quantified from the soil surface (0-5 cm) to a depth of 30 cm. Results reveal that resistance to multiple antibiotics, including tetracycline, daptomycin, and erythromycin, exists in soils regardless of the water source (groundwater, reclaimed water). Though resistance patterns differ between bacteria isolated from soils from the two treatments, overall AR is not increased in soils exposed to reclaimed water. Comparing the development of AR in soil bacteria at these two sites will increase awareness of the environmental and public health impacts of using reclaimed water for irrigation of municipal areas.
AB - Wastewater reclamation for municipal irrigation is an increasingly attractive option for extending water supplies. However, public health concerns include the potential for development of antibiotic resistance (AR) in soil bacteria after exposure to residual chemicals in reclaimed water. Though scientific studies have reported high levels of AR in soils irrigated with wastewater, these works often ignore the natural occurrence of soil AR. We are comparing AR patterns in soil Enterococcus isolated from water storage basins recharged with either reclaimed water or groundwater in central Arizona. Resistance to 16 antibiotics is being quantified from the soil surface (0-5 cm) to a depth of 30 cm. Results reveal that resistance to multiple antibiotics, including tetracycline, daptomycin, and erythromycin, exists in soils regardless of the water source (groundwater, reclaimed water). Though resistance patterns differ between bacteria isolated from soils from the two treatments, overall AR is not increased in soils exposed to reclaimed water. Comparing the development of AR in soil bacteria at these two sites will increase awareness of the environmental and public health impacts of using reclaimed water for irrigation of municipal areas.
KW - Enterococcus
KW - Multiple antibiotic resistance
KW - Water reclamation
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:79955136267
SN - 9781617822735
T3 - ASABE - 5th National Decennial Irrigation Conference 2010, Held in Conjunction with Irrigation Show 2010
SP - 1065
EP - 1073
BT - ASABE - 5th National Decennial Irrigation Conference 2010, Held in Conjunction with Irrigation Show 2010
T2 - 5th National Decennial Irrigation Conference 2010, Held in Conjunction with Irrigation Show 2010
Y2 - 5 December 2010 through 8 December 2010
ER -