The increasing use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine and for agricultural purposes led to the spread of antibiotic resistances in the environment. The project focusses on the occurrence and transport of antibiotic resistances in water resources.

The detection of antibiotic resistances is carried out by growth-tests (culture technique) and molecular methods (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR). During the project, a standardised method (Real-Time-PCR) for quantitative molecularbiological analysis of water samples will be established based on the comparative investigations by culture and PCR techniques.

Primarily, surface water with different bacterial numbers (rivers Danube and Rhine, artificial lakes) will be examined. For comparison purposes, spring water, riverbank filtrate and groundwater will be included in the analysis. The influence of varying hydrogeological boundary conditions in different catchment areas will be examined. Additionally, laboratory experiments will study transport in unsatured soil. The systematic investigations will enable an assessment of the relevance of antibiotic resistances in different watersheds.