U.S. Geological Survey
Fact Sheet 120-02
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Occurrence of Antibiotics in Water from Fish Hatcheries
E.M. Thurman, J.E. Dietze, and E.A. Scribner
CONTENTS
Introduction
Types of Fish Hatcheries
Sample Collection
Analytical Methods
Occurrence of Antibiotics in Fish Hatchery Water
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Web Sites
Thurman, E.M., Dietz, J.E., and Scribner, E.A., 2003, Occurrence of antibiotics in water from fish hatcheries:
U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 120-02, 4 p.
The recent discovery of pharmaceuticals in streams across the United States
(Kolpin and others, 2002) has raised the visibility and need for monitoring
of antibiotics in the environment. Possible sources of antibiotics and other
pharmaceuticals in streams may include fish hatcheries. This fact sheet
presents the results from a preliminary study of fish hatcheries across
the United States for the occurrence and concentration of antibiotics present
in fish hatchery water. The study examines both sufonamides and tetracyclines.
Sulfonamides are synthetic compounds, and tetracyclines are naturally occurring
compounds.
The use of antibiotics added to specially formulated feed is a common practice
in fish hatcheries to treat and prevent bacterial infections in large fish
populations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antibiotics
are oxytetracycline-HCI, sulfamerazine, and a combination drug containing
ormetoprim and sulfadiamethoxine (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2003).
During January 2001–June 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL), Lawrence, Kansas, cooperatively
collected water samples from 13 fish hatcheries across the United States
(fig. 1) with the assistance of hatchery operators. A method for the analysis
of antibiotics was developed and used to identify and quantify these compounds
in fish hatchery water (Lindsey and others, 2001). This study was completed
to determine if trace levels of antibiotics [approximately 1 microgram per
liter (µg/L) or 1 part per billion or greater occurred] in which water
associated with fish hatcheries, which are a potential source of these compounds
in surface water.
For more information contact:
District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
4821 Quail Crest Place
Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3839
(785) 842-9909
email: dc_ks@usgs.gov
http://ks.water.usgs.gov/
Or Visit Emerging Water Quality Issues