25.06.2015 | University of Bonn: Pharmaceuticals in agricultural soils and their potential relevance for antibiotic resistance (case study Mexico)

The (re)use of wastewater and animal excreta (manure) in agriculture for irrigation and fertilization of fields are globally established, old practices that increase the water- and nutrient use efficiency of crop production while minimizing its environmental side effects. However, in addition to water and plant nutrients also pollutants reach agricultural soils with wastewater and manure. While risks related to salts or “classic” pollutants like heavy metals contained in wastewater and manure are well-studied and documented, comparably little is known on fate and effect of pharmaceuticals in agricultural soils. Concerns are increasing that residues of especially antibiotic pharmaceuticals might promote the selection and spreading of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. The talk will provide an introduction and overview on the fate and effects of antibiotics in manured German soils and soils of the Mezquital Valley that are irrigated with wastewater from Mexico City.

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jan Siemens, Justus Liebig University Giessen

Where: Institut für Geodäsie und Geoinformation, Nussallee 1, HS I

When: 17:00 h

The lecture will be preceded by a visit of the GIZ-exhibition “Soil. Sustains Life” at 16:00 h in the Botanic Garden (Mediterrannean Greenhouse).

More information

Source: Information by the University of Bonn from 23.06.2015The (re)use of wastewater and animal excreta (manure) in agriculture for irrigation and fertilization of fields are globally established, old practices that increase the water- and nutrient use efficiency of crop production while minimizing its environmental side effects. However, in addition to water and plant nutrients also pollutants reach agricultural soils with wastewater and manure. While risks related to salts or “classic” pollutants like heavy metals contained in wastewater and manure are well-studied and documented, comparably little is known on fate and effect of pharmaceuticals in agricultural soils. Concerns are increasing that residues of especially antibiotic pharmaceuticals might promote the selection and spreading of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. The talk will provide an introduction and overview on the fate and effects of antibiotics in manured German soils and soils of the Mezquital Valley that are irrigated with wastewater from Mexico City.

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jan Siemens, Justus Liebig University Giessen

Where: Institut für Geodäsie und Geoinformation, Nussallee 1, HS I

When: 17:00 h

The lecture will be preceded by a visit of the GIZ-exhibition “Soil. Sustains Life” at 16:00 h in the Botanic Garden (Mediterrannean Greenhouse).

More information

Source: Information by the University of Bonn from 23.06.2015