Moriah Brown
May 2nd at 2PM
Zoom: https://unl.zoom.us/j/91434647008?
Meeting ID: 914 3464 7008
Passcode: 429734
Watershed Monitoring of Shell Creek for Antibiotics and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Runoff from agricultural fields poses a significant threat to water bodies, carrying sediments, nutrients, and chemicals, including antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs), which degrade water quality. Despite their crucial role in disease prevention and growth promotion in agriculture, antibiotics' presence in watersheds raises environmental and health concerns, particularly regarding the spread of antibiotic resistance. This study focuses on the Shell Creek watershed in east-central Nebraska, an agriculturally dominated area, where antibiotics are extensively used in farming practices. Bi-weekly grab samples are collected from four locations along Shell Creek and are processed for bacteria and antibiotics. Results indicated infrequent antibiotic detections, mostly below quantification limits, while ionophores, notably monensin, were more frequently detected. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria highlights the potential risks associated with agricultural practices and antibiotic use in the watershed, highlighting the need for sustainable management strategies to mitigate water contamination and safeguard public health and ecosystems.