Veterinary antimicrobials in cattle feedlot environs and irrigation conveyances in a high-intensity agroecosystem in southern Alberta, Canada

Thumbnail image

Download files

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22889-x

Language of the publication
English
Date
2022-09-15
Type
Article
Author(s)
  • Sura, Srinivas
  • Larney, Francis J.
  • Charest, Jollin
  • McAllister, Tim A.
  • Headley, John V.
  • Cessna, Allan J.
Publisher
Springer Nature

Abstract

The South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) is considered one of the most intensively farmed regions in Canada, with high densities of livestock and expansive areas of irrigated cropland. We measured concentrations of seven veterinary antimicrobials (VAs) in 114 surface water samples from feedlot environs and 219 samples from irrigation conveyances in the SSRB. Overall, detection frequencies in feedlot environs were 100% for chlortetracycline (CTC) and tetracycline (TC), 94% for monensin (MON), 84% for tylosin (TYL), 72% for lincomycin (LIN), 66% for erythromycin (ERY), and 23% for sulfamethazine (SMZ). For irrigation conveyances, detection frequencies for CTC and TC remained high (94–100%), but dropped to 18% for ERY, 15% for TYL, 10% for MON, and 4% for SMZ. Lincomycin was not detected in irrigation conveyance water. Maximum concentrations of VAs ranged from 1384 µg L−1 (TC) to 17 ng L−1 (SMZ) in feedlot environs while those in irrigation conveyances were 155 ng L−1 (TC) to 29 ng L−1 (ERY). High detection frequencies and median concentrations of VAs in both feedlot environs and irrigation conveyances were associated with high amounts of precipitation. However, an irrigation district (ID) with high livestock density (Lethbridge Northern) did not exhibit higher concentrations of VAs compared to IDs with less livestock, while levels of VAs in irrigation conveyances were less influenced by the degree of surface runoff. The ubiquity of CTC and TC in our study is likely a reflection of its widespread use in intensive livestock operations. Additional investigation is required to link environmental concentrations of VAs with livestock densities and increase our understanding of potential antimicrobial resistance in high-intensity agroecosystems.

Subject

  • Nature and environment,
  • Agriculture

Keywords

  • veterinary antimicrobials,
  • surface water,
  • beef cattle,
  • manure,
  • irrigation,
  • agroecosystem

Rights

Pagination

12235-12256

Peer review

Yes

Identifiers

ISSN
1614-7499

Article

Journal title
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Journal volume
30
Journal issue
5
Accepted date
2022-09-01
Submitted date
2022-02-25

Citation(s)

Sura, S., Larney, F.J., Charest, J., McAllister, T. A., Headley, J. V., & Cessna, A. J. (2023). Veterinary antimicrobials in cattle feedlot environs and irrigation conveyances in a high-intensity agroecosystem in southern Alberta, Canada. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(5), 12235–12256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22889-x

Download(s)

URI

Collection(s)

Animals and insects

Full item page

Full item page

Page details

Date modified: