Antibiotic pollution in lakes in China: Emission estimation and fate modeling using a temperature-dependent multimedia model

The high use of antibiotics worldwide has poses a serious threat to both human and environmental health. Lakes are served as reservoirs for antibiotics, however, there is a lack of information available on antibiotics emissions and the subsequent pollution. Here, the emission and fate of 34 frequently detected antibiotics were studied in 226 Chinese lakes, via the built emission estimation method and a temperature-dependent multimedia lake model. It has been estimated that totally 5711 tons antibiotic were discharged into the lakes of China in 2019. Antibiotics emissions are due to human activities, with 3800-fold higher emissions in the Eastern China than that in Western China. The antibiotic fate in lakes has been successfully modelled by simulating the lake stratification, freeze-melt cycles and the stable condition throughout the year. Both stratification and freeze-melt cycles can lead to increased antibiotic concentrations in lake water. Deep-water lakes were shown to serve as a highly effective natural storage medium for antibiotics. The reliability of the model was confirmed by published measured concentrations and Monte Carlo method. This is the first study to comprehensively investigate the antibiotic fate in lakes of China, providing valuable guidance for the remediation of contaminated lakes. [Display omitted] •An evaluation of antibiotic emission and pollution in Chinese lakes was investigated.•A multimedia lake model successfully predicted the dynamic fate of antibiotics.•Lakes in Eastern China are with 3800-fold higher emission than that in Western China.•Stratification and icing lead to increased antibiotic concentration in lake water.•Deep-water lakes are served as highly effective storage medium for antibiotics.