Distribution of antibiotics and hormones in soil and groundwater in intensive livestock farming areas

【Objective】 The presence of undigested antibiotics used in livestock farming poses significant environmental concerns, as their disposal into water and soil can lead to contamination of the food chain. This paper presents the analysis of the distribution and concentration of these antibiotics in both soil and groundwater. 【Method】 Soil and groundwater samples were collected from an intensive livestock farming area in H county. Antibiotics and hormones in these samples were analysed using the high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. 【Result】 ① On average, there was more sulfonamide (SAs) in soil than in groundwater. All but megestrone acetate hormones were found in soil and groundwater, although there were more in soil than in groundwater. ② Sulfamethiazole, sulfonamide intermethacil, sulfonamide and sulfoamine were found in soil. In the groundwater, the concentrations of sulfonamide intermethacil and sulfamquinoxine were higher than the concentration of other antibiotics. ③ The concentration of hormone KTY04 was higher in the 0-20 cm soil layer than in the 60-80 cm layer. In the studied area, adrenocorticoid, testosterone, and notestosterone were the dominant hormones, with their mass concentration reaching 325 ng/L. 【Conclusion】 Our study found higher mass concentrations of sulfonamides in soil than in groundwater, except estrogen whose concentration was high in groundwater and moderate in soil. The presence of antibiotics and hormones from livestock farming could lead to increased contamination of both soil and groundwater, particularly sulfonamides and estrogens. Continuous monitoring is needed to assess their potential impacts on ecosystems.