Antibiotics in Crab Ponds of Lake Guchenghu Basin, China: Occurrence, Temporal Variations, and Ecological Risks

Abstract

Antibiotics are widely used in aquaculture, however, this often results in undesirable ecological effects. To evaluate the occurrence, temporal variations, and ecological risk of antibiotics in five crab ponds of Lake Guchenghu Basin, China, 44 antibiotics from nine classes were analyzed by rapid resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-MS/MS). Twelve antibiotics belonging to six classes were detected in the aqueous phase of five crab ponds, among which sulfonamides and macrolides were the predominant classes, and six compounds (sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadiazine, trimethoprim, erythromycin-H2O, monensin, and florfenicol) were frequently detected at high concentrations. In general, the antibiotic levels varied between different crab ponds, with the average concentrations ranging from 122 to 1440 ng/L. The antibiotic concentrations in crab ponds exhibited obvious seasonal variations, with the highest concentration and detection frequency detected in summer. Multivariate analysis showed that antibiotic concentrations were significantly correlated with environmental variables, such as total organic carbon, phosphate, ammonia nitrogen, and pH. Sulfadiazine, clarithromycin, erythromycin-H2O, and ciprofloxacin posed a high risk to algae, while the mixture of antibiotics could pose a high risk to aquatic organisms in the crab ponds. Overall, the usage of antibiotics in farming ponds should be comprehensively investigated and controlled to preserve a healthy aquaculture ecosystem.

Physicochemical and Antibacterial Susceptibility Profile of Fish Pond Waters in Anambra State, Nigeria

“…Reference [24], also reported a temperature range of 26-29 0 C and opined that such temperature range supports fish productivity. Contrary to our findings [25], reported much lower temperature, below 25°C, in their study on occurrence, temporal variations, and ecological risks of use of antibiotics in crab ponds of Lake Guchenghu Basin, China.…”

Bacteriological Quality and Antibiotics' Susceptibility Profile of Small-medium Scale Commercial Fish farms in Nigeria

“…Makori et al [21] reported temperature and pH range of 24-26 °C, and pH 6.1-8.3, respectively. A study conducted in Kenya, reported a temperature range from 20.04˚C to 32.63˚C [24], elsewhere, the temperature was lower than in the present study [7]. Rapid and fluctuating changes in pH and temperature have been reported to cause extreme stress in the fish.…”

“…The contamination of these culture systems has been attributed to poor water quality, high stocking densities and the use of animal manure and contaminated feed [6,5] Due to the high cost of feeding, farmers use animal manure to supplement feeding. The use of organic manure also leads to the release of high concentration of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms into the ponds, which pose a threat not only to fish health but also to the environment [7]. Also, these microorganisms in fish and fish ponds portend grave consequences for public health [2,3].…”

Bacteriological Assessment and Antibiotics Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Recovered from Pond Water, Fish Skin, and Gut in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

“…Optimum pH and temperature directly stabilise the physicochemical parameters of pond water enhancing fish health, and productivity and the maintenance of a proper balance of the microbial ecology in pond water. A study conducted in Kenya, reported a temperature range from 20.04˚C to 32.63˚C [6], elsewhere, the temperature was lower than in the present study [9]. Rapid and fluctuating changes in pH and temperature have been reported to cause extreme stress in the fish.…”

“…Due to the high cost of feeding, farmers use animal manure to supplement feeding. The use of organic manure also leads to the release of high concentration of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms into the ponds which pose a threat not only to fish health but the environment [9]. Also, these microorganisms in fish and fish ponds portend grave consequences for public health [4,5].…”