Sorption of oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline to marine sediments

Oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline are commonly used antibacterial agents for treatment of infectious diseases in marine fish farming and reach sediments. The aim of this study was to describe the sorption of these antibacterial agents to marine sediments (mud, sandy mud and sand) by using batch experiments. Sorption of antibacterial agents increased with the sediment content in mineral and organic matter and in particles of less than 63 μm diameter. Sorption of oxytetracycline to mud and sandy mud was higher than sorption of oxolinic acid. Furthermore, oxytetracycline, but not oxolinic acid, was transformed in sediment probably by both chemical and bacteriological processes.