Summary of three scientific articles (0)

Antibiotics are one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine – they have transformed our lives . But they may now be endangering lives, too. I chose three articles on the issue that dissert the topic of antibiotics in wastewater.
To begin with, for years scientists have been aware of the potential problems of antibiotics being present in wastewater. For now, the research of engineering professor Olya Keen is showing that treatments to clean wastewater may actually be creating new antibiotics and further contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Keen is studying doxycycline, one of the widely used class of antibiotics. Their research to date is showing that chlorine used to treat wastewater is actually changing the makeup of the doxycycline and forming new antibiotics.
Subsequently, the question arises: how do all the antibiotics find their way into wastewater? Olya Keen answers: ”Those that are not broken down by the organisms are passed to wastewater, also, expired antibiotics from homes and hospitals are dumped into wastewater.”
For example, the problem is actual in China . It has about a fifth of the world’s population, but it accounts for half of the world’s consumption of antibiotics, according to the study , conducted by the Guanghzou Institute of Geochemistry. Total consumption in 2013 was 162,000 tons. Furthermore, Ying Guangguo, the lead researcher of the topic has said: “There are no regulations for farms in China for how to manage their wastewater. It all depends on the environmental consciousness of farm owners. Many tend to discharge wastewater directly into rivers , wastewater treatment is expensive.”
Kathryn Arnold , at the University of York , who has been researching reasons of wildlife decline said: “With thousands of antibiotics in use globally, they have the potential to have potent effects on wildlife and ecosystems .” Research published in 2014 revealed that in the last 40 years, in freshwater habitats, where drug residues are most commonly found , the research found 75% of fish and amphibians had been lost . That shows clearly the harmful effect of the antibiotics to aquatic animals .
In my opinion, the authors have succeeded with their articles. Firstly, I really liked that all of the articles had specific statistics and I appreciate it. Secondly, all the examples were apposite and points were clear . I personally find the topic very actual and the problems need even more attention .
Articles:
Cherie Chan
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/study-maps-concentrations-of-antibiotics-in-chinese-waterways/?_r=0
Damian Carrington, the head of environment at the Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/13/drugs-flushed-into-the-environment-could-be-cause-of-wildlife-decline
University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Olya Keen
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150528123858.ht m