Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1 Presidency University, University of Kerbala, Karbala, Iraq
2 Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
Abstract
The environmental stability and movement of antibiotics depend on physical, chemical, and biological reactions that produce transformation products (TPs). These transformation products of antibiotics show different levels of toxicity and potency compared to their parent compounds. The environmental contamination of aquatic sediments with antibiotics has become a major environmental concern because these substances retain their toxic properties and resistance-promoting abilities while harming benthic ecosystems. Sediments function as lasting storage sites that release antibiotics into water over time while enabling the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their genetic information. The underwater environments transform substances through the natural processes of water interacting with sediments. The speed of transformation depends on four main factors, which include oxygen levels (aerobic or anaerobic), temperature, light exposure, pH values, matrix effect, and sediment composition. The analysis of sediments faces ongoing difficulties because of their diverse nature, the minimal amounts of antibiotic residues, and insufficient standardized laboratory procedures. The identification and quantification of antibiotics and their transformation products TPs depend on LC–MS/MS systems, which provide superior sensitivity and accuracy. The review demonstrated practical applications of these systems via case studies, which prove analytical methods work and demonstrate their environmental value. The current state of knowledge lacks essential information about the transformation products TPs, and there is no standardized controlling system in place. Scientists need to combine new chemical methods with various environmental monitoring systems and global research partnerships to combat antibiotic contamination while enhancing environmental risk assessment and protecting water sources from antibiotic resistance and long-term contamination.
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