Flowrates were also taken into account to give gene loads (table ). The overall distribution of ARG loads and the corresponding resistance AA classes were investigated over the studied period (figure ). AAs from the sulphonamide class were the most prevalent, averaging 63 ± 24 g/day, with macrolides and lincosamides following at 26 ± 12 g/day. Quinolones AAs had the lowest prevalence in comparison at 20 ± 11 g/day in wastewater. The inclusion of AA metabolites within AA classes did not change this overall trend (sulphonamides > macrolides and lincosamides > quinolones), but macrolide and sulphonamides class averages did increase to 100 ± 39 g/day and 36 ± 15 g/day respectively. Quinolone metabolites were rarely detected, which may be because CIP and OFX are often excreted as parent compounds at 30-65% and 73% respectively. Another factor could be the limited stability of quinolone metabolites in wastewater; it has previously been reported degradation between 29-62%, depending on the metabolite, after 24 hours at room temperature . In comparison, dmCLR and the acetyl sulphonamides reported higher stability in the same study. With dmCLR demonstrating little to no degradation in wastewater over a 24 hour period at room temperature, and sulphonamide metabolites exhibiting degradation between 10-30% over the same time period .