LAUSR

BACKGROUND Veterinary antibiotics are emerging contaminants and enter into soil principally by agricultural application of organic fertilizers. This paper presents the results of the research obtained for the analyzed 70 samples of fertilizers (pig and poultry manure and slurry and digestate) for various classes of antibiotics. RESULTS Doxycycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, lincomycin, tiamulin and enrofloxacin were found in tested samples. Doxycycline was found as a dominant compound, and its highest concentration was 175 mg/kg in pig manure. This investigation indicated that fertilization with manure, especially animal feces, might be the primary source of antibiotics. Additionally, a risk assessment based on a risk quotient was carried out, which showed that the determined concentrations of antibiotics in fertilizers may pose a threat to soil microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS Results suggested that the ecological risk effects of antibiotic contamination on soil bases and their potential adverse risk on human health needs special attention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.