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Antibiotics
Volume 14
Issue 8
10.3390/antibiotics14080786
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Numerical Modeling of Gentamicin Transport in Agricultural Soils: Implications for Environmental Pollution

by
Nami Morales-Durán
1,2,
Sebastián Fuentes
3,
Jesús García-Gallego
3,
José Treviño-Reséndez
4,
Josué D. García-Espinoza
4,
Rubén Morones-Ramírez
1,2,* and
Carlos Chávez
3,*
1
Chemical Sciences Faculty, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas de los Garza 66451, Mexico
2
Research Center for Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Chemical Sciences Faculty, Research and Technological Innovation Park, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Apodaca 66629, Mexico
3
Water Research Center, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Cerro de las Campanas SN, Col. Las Campanas, Santiago de Querétaro 76010, Mexico
4
Centro de Investigación en Química para la Economía Circular—CIQEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas SN, Col. Las Campanas, Santiago de Queretaro 76010, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080786 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 23 June 2025 / Revised: 28 July 2025 / Accepted: 1 August 2025 / Published: 2 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Antibiotic Residues in Wastewater)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In recent years, the discharge of antibiotics into rivers and irrigation canals has increased. However, few studies have addressed the impact of these compounds on agricultural fields that use such water to meet crop demands. Methods: In this study, the transport of two types of gentamicin (pure gentamicin and gentamicin sulfate) was modeled at concentrations of 150 and 300 μL/L, respectively, in a soil with more than 60 years of agricultural use. Infiltration tests under constant head conditions and gentamicin transport experiments were conducted in acrylic columns measuring 14 cm in length and 12.7 cm in diameter. The scaling parameters for the Richards equation were obtained from experimental data, while those for the advection–dispersion equation were estimated using inverse methods through a nonlinear optimization algorithm. In addition, a fractal-based model for saturated hydraulic conductivity was employed. Results: It was found that the dispersivity of gentamicin sulfate is 3.1 times higher than that of pure gentamicin. Based on the estimated parameters, two simulation scenarios were conducted: continuous application of gentamicin and soil flushing after antibiotic discharge. The results show that the transport velocity of gentamicin sulfate in the soil may have short-term consequences for the emergence of resistant microorganisms due to the destination of wastewater containing antibiotic residues. Conclusions: Finally, further research is needed to evaluate the impact of antibiotics on soil physical properties, as well as their effects on irrigated crops, animals that consume such water, and the soil microbiota.
Keywords: antibiotic pollution; farm soil; advection dispersion equation; Richards equation; inverse modelling antibiotic pollution; farm soil; advection dispersion equation; Richards equation; inverse modelling

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MDPI and ACS Style

Morales-Durán, N.; Fuentes, S.; García-Gallego, J.; Treviño-Reséndez, J.; García-Espinoza, J.D.; Morones-Ramírez, R.; Chávez, C. Numerical Modeling of Gentamicin Transport in Agricultural Soils: Implications for Environmental Pollution. Antibiotics 2025, 14, 786. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080786

AMA Style

Morales-Durán N, Fuentes S, García-Gallego J, Treviño-Reséndez J, García-Espinoza JD, Morones-Ramírez R, Chávez C. Numerical Modeling of Gentamicin Transport in Agricultural Soils: Implications for Environmental Pollution. Antibiotics. 2025; 14(8):786. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080786

Chicago/Turabian Style

Morales-Durán, Nami, Sebastián Fuentes, Jesús García-Gallego, José Treviño-Reséndez, Josué D. García-Espinoza, Rubén Morones-Ramírez, and Carlos Chávez. 2025. "Numerical Modeling of Gentamicin Transport in Agricultural Soils: Implications for Environmental Pollution" Antibiotics 14, no. 8: 786. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080786

APA Style

Morales-Durán, N., Fuentes, S., García-Gallego, J., Treviño-Reséndez, J., García-Espinoza, J. D., Morones-Ramírez, R., & Chávez, C. (2025). Numerical Modeling of Gentamicin Transport in Agricultural Soils: Implications for Environmental Pollution. Antibiotics, 14(8), 786. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080786

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