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Joannard B, Sanchez-Cid C. Bacterial dynamics of the plastisphere microbiome exposed to sub-lethal antibiotic pollution. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:97. [PMID: 38790062 PMCID: PMC11127405 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01803-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotics and microplastics are two major aquatic pollutants that have been associated to antibiotic resistance selection in the environment and are considered a risk to human health. However, little is known about the interaction of these pollutants at environmental concentrations and the response of the microbial communities in the plastisphere to sub-lethal antibiotic pollution. Here, we describe the bacterial dynamics underlying this response in surface water bacteria at the community, resistome and mobilome level using a combination of methods (next-generation sequencing and qPCR), sequencing targets (16S rRNA gene, pre-clinical and clinical class 1 integron cassettes and metagenomes), technologies (short and long read sequencing), and assembly approaches (non-assembled reads, genome assembly, bacteriophage and plasmid assembly). RESULTS Our results show a shift in the microbial community response to antibiotics in the plastisphere microbiome compared to surface water communities and describe the bacterial subpopulations that respond differently to antibiotic and microplastic pollution. The plastisphere showed an increased tolerance to antibiotics and selected different antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Several metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) derived from the antibiotic-exposed plastisphere contained ARGs, virulence factors, and genes involved in plasmid conjugation. These include Comamonas, Chryseobacterium, the opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and other MAGs belonging to genera that have been associated to human infections, such as Achromobacter. The abundance of the integron-associated ciprofloxacin resistance gene aac(6')-Ib-cr increased under ciprofloxacin exposure in both freshwater microbial communities and in the plastisphere. Regarding the antibiotic mobilome, although no significant changes in ARG load in class 1 integrons and plasmids were observed in polluted samples, we identified three ARG-containing viral contigs that were integrated into MAGs as prophages. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates how the selective nature of the plastisphere influences bacterial response to antibiotics at sub-lethal selective pressure. The microbial changes identified here help define the selective role of the plastisphere and its impact on the maintenance of environmental antibiotic resistance in combination with other anthropogenic pollutants. This research highlights the need to evaluate the impact of aquatic pollutants in environmental microbial communities using complex scenarios with combined stresses. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brune Joannard
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR CNRS 5557, UMR INRAe 1418, VetAgro Sup, Ecologie Microbienne, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Concepcion Sanchez-Cid
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR CNRS 5557, UMR INRAe 1418, VetAgro Sup, Ecologie Microbienne, 69622, Villeurbanne, France.
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Yin LZ, Luo XQ, Li JL, Liu Z, Duan L, Deng QQ, Chen C, Tang S, Li WJ, Wang P. Deciphering the pathogenic risks of microplastics as emerging particulate organic matter in aquatic ecosystem. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134728. [PMID: 38805824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are accumulating rapidly in aquatic ecosystems, providing habitats for pathogens and vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), potentially increasing pathogenic risks. However, few studies have considered microplastics as particulate organic matter (POM) to elucidate their pathogenic risks and underlying mechanisms. Here, we performed microcosm experiments with microplastics and natural POM (leaves, algae, soil), thoroughly investigating their distinct effects on the community compositions, functional profiles, opportunistic pathogens, and ARGs in Particle-Associated (PA) and Free-Living (FL) bacterial communities. We found that both microplastics and leaves have comparable impacts on microbial community structures and functions, enriching opportunistic pathogens and ARGs, which may pose potential environmental risks. These effects are likely driven by their influences on water properties, including dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, DO, and pH. However, microplastics uniquely promoted pathogens as keystone species and further amplified their capacity as hosts for ARGs, potentially posing a higher pathogenic risk than natural POM. Our research also emphasized the importance of considering both PA and FL bacteria when assessing microplastic impacts, as they exhibited different responses. Overall, our study elucidates the role and underlying mechanism of microplastics as an emerging POM in intensifying pathogenic risks of aquatic ecosystems in comparison with conventional natural POM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Zi Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust, Systems Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jia-Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zetao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Li Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Qi-Qi Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chen Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ecological Environment Simulation and Protection, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Shaojun Tang
- Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust, Systems Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Pandeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ecology & School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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Bocci V, Galafassi S, Levantesi C, Crognale S, Amalfitano S, Congestri R, Matturro B, Rossetti S, Di Pippo F. Freshwater plastisphere: a review on biodiversity, risks, and biodegradation potential with implications for the aquatic ecosystem health. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1395401. [PMID: 38699475 PMCID: PMC11064797 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1395401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The plastisphere, a unique microbial biofilm community colonizing plastic debris and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, has attracted increasing attention owing to its ecological and public health implications. This review consolidates current state of knowledge on freshwater plastisphere, focussing on its biodiversity, community assembly, and interactions with environmental factors. Current biomolecular approaches revealed a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa associated with plastic surfaces. Despite their ecological importance, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria and mobile genetic elements (i.e., antibiotic resistance genes) raises concerns for ecosystem and human health. However, the extent of these risks and their implications remain unclear. Advanced sequencing technologies are promising for elucidating the functions of plastisphere, particularly in plastic biodegradation processes. Overall, this review emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies to understand plastisphere dynamics in freshwater and to support effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on freshwater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Bocci
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Galafassi
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina Levantesi
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Congestri
- Laboratory of Biology of Algae, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Pippo
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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Liu F, Luo Y, Xu T, Lin H, Qiu Y, Li B. Current examining methods and mathematical models of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1371388. [PMID: 38638913 PMCID: PMC11025395 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1371388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment has garnered significant attention due to their health risk to human beings. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is considered as an important way for ARG dissemination. There are four general routes of HGT, including conjugation, transformation, transduction and vesiduction. Selection of appropriate examining methods is crucial for comprehensively understanding characteristics and mechanisms of different HGT ways. Moreover, combined with the results obtained from different experimental methods, mathematical models could be established and serve as a powerful tool for predicting ARG transfer dynamics and frequencies. However, current reviews of HGT for ARG spread mainly focus on its influencing factors and mechanisms, overlooking the important roles of examining methods and models. This review, therefore, delineated four pathways of HGT, summarized the strengths and limitations of current examining methods, and provided a comprehensive summing-up of mathematical models pertaining to three main HGT ways of conjugation, transformation and transduction. Finally, deficiencies in current studies were discussed, and proposed the future perspectives to better understand and assess the risks of ARG dissemination through HGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Liu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqiu Luo
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Tiansi Xu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai Lin
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Qiu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
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Li C, Li X, Bank MS, Dong T, Fang JKH, Leusch FDL, Rillig MC, Wang J, Wang L, Xia Y, Xu EG, Yang Y, Zhang C, Zhu D, Liu J, Jin L. The "Microplastome" - A Holistic Perspective to Capture the Real-World Ecology of Microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4060-4069. [PMID: 38331396 PMCID: PMC10919093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution, an emerging pollution issue, has become a significant environmental concern globally due to its ubiquitous, persistent, complex, toxic, and ever-increasing nature. As a multifaceted and diverse suite of small plastic particles with different physicochemical properties and associated matters such as absorbed chemicals and microbes, future research on microplastics will need to comprehensively consider their multidimensional attributes. Here, we introduce a novel, conceptual framework of the "microplastome", defined as the entirety of various plastic particles (<5 mm), and their associated matters such as chemicals and microbes, found within a sample and its overall environmental and toxicological impacts. As a novel concept, this paper aims to emphasize and call for a collective quantification and characterization of microplastics and for a more holistic understanding regarding the differences, connections, and effects of microplastics in different biotic and abiotic ecosystem compartments. Deriving from this lens, we present our insights and prospective trajectories for characterization, risk assessment, and source apportionment of microplastics. We hope this new paradigm can guide and propel microplastic research toward a more holistic era and contribute to an informed strategy for combating this globally important environmental pollution issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changchao Li
- Environment
Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Michael S. Bank
- Institute
of Marine Research, 5005 Bergen, Norway
- University
of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Tao Dong
- Department
of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - James Kar-Hei Fang
- Department
of Food Science and Nutrition and Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
- State Key
Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University
of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Frederic D. L. Leusch
- Australian
Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, 4222 Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Jie Wang
- Beijing
Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation,
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Wang
- MOE Key
Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yu Xia
- School
of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Elvis Genbo Xu
- Department
of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Yuyi Yang
- Key Laboratory
of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Environment
Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Dong Zhu
- Key Laboratory
of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Environment
Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Ling Jin
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
- State Key
Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University
of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong
- Department
of Health Technology and Informatics, The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
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6
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Kim H, Yoo K. Marine plastisphere selectively enriches microbial assemblages and antibiotic resistance genes during long-term cultivation periods. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123450. [PMID: 38280464 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Several studies have focused on identifying and quantifying suspended plastics in surface and subsurface seawater. Microplastics (MPs) have attracted attention as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the marine environment. Plastispheres, specific biofilms on MP, can provide an ideal niche to spread more widely through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), thereby increasing risks to ecosystems and human health. However, the microbial communities formed on different plastic types and ARG abundances during exposure time in natural marine environments remain unclear. Four types of commonly used MPs (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) were periodically cultured (46, 63, and 102 d) in a field-based marine environment to study the co-selection of ARGs and microbial communities in marine plastispheres. After the first 63 d of incubation (p < 0.05), the initial 16S rRNA gene abundance of microorganisms in the plastisphere increased significantly, and the biomass subsequently decreased. These results suggest that MPs can serve as vehicles for various microorganisms to travel to different environments and eventually provide a niche for a variety of microorganisms. Additionally, the qPCR results showed that MPs selectively enriched ARGs. In particular, tetA, tetQ, sul1, and qnrS were selectively enriched in the PVC-MPs. The abundances of intl1, a mobile genetic element, was measured in all MP types for 46 d (5.22 × 10-5 ± 8.21 × 10-6 copies/16s rRNA gene copies), 63 d (5.90 × 10-5 ± 2.49 × 10-6 copies/16s rRNA gene copies), and 102 d (4.00 × 10-5 ± 5.11 × 10-6 copies/16s rRNA gene copies). Network analysis indicated that ARG profiles co-occurred with key biofilm-forming bacteria. This study suggests that the selection of ARGs and their co-occurring bacteria in MPs could potentially accelerate their transmission through HGT in natural marine plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsu Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Major of Ocean Renewable Energy Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea
| | - Keunje Yoo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Major of Ocean Renewable Energy Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea.
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Yin S, Gao L, Fan X, Gao S, Zhou X, Jin W, He Z, Wang Q. Performance of sewage sludge treatment for the removal of antibiotic resistance genes: Status and prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167862. [PMID: 37865259 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive wastewater containing antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), which are predominant contributors to environmental pollution in water and soil. Of these sources, sludge is a more significant contributor than effluent. Knowing how sludge treatment affects the fate of ARGs is vital for managing the risk of these genes in both human and natural environments. This review therefore discusses the sources and transmission of ARGs in the environment and highlights the risks of ARGs in sludge. The effects of co-existing constituents (heavy metals, microplastics, etc.) on sludge and ARGs during treatment are collated to highlight the difficulty of treating sludge with complex constituents in ARGs. The effects of various sludge treatment methods on the abundances of ARGs in sludge and in soil from land application of treated sludge are discussed, pointing out that the choice of sludge treatment method should take into account various potential factors, such as soil and soil biology in subsequent land application. This review offers significant insights and explores the abundances of ARGs throughout the process of sludge treatment and disposal. Unintentional addition of antibiotic residues, heavy metals, microplastics and organic matter in sludge could significantly increase the abundance and reduce the removal efficiency of ARGs during treatment, which undoubtedly adds a barrier to the removal of ARGs from sludge treatment. The complexity of the sludge composition and the diversities of ARGs have led to the fact that no effective sludge treatment method has so far been able to completely eliminate the ecological risk of ARGs. In order to reduce risks resulting by transmission of ARGs, technical and management measures need to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Yin
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Le Gao
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiumin Fan
- Shenzhen Ecological and Environmental Intelligent Management and Control Center, Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Shuhong Gao
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Wenbiao Jin
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhongqi He
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qilin Wang
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Jin R, Zhang J, Zhao Y, Liu S, Shen M. Are microplastics in aquaculture an undeniable driver in accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance genes? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:114685-114689. [PMID: 37840081 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30412-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Aquaculture products have been a key source of protein in the human food supply. Contamination by microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) directly affects food quality and safety. Plastic fishing gear and the long-term misuse of antibiotics result in the persistent residue, migration, and spread of microplastics and ARGs in the aquaculture environment, causing in ecological imbalance and endangering human security. Microplastics can act as "petri dishes" for the reproduction, communication, and spread of ARGs, which adds an additional layer of complexity to the global issues surrounding microplastics and ARGs. Aquaculture has become an important source of microplastics and ARGs in natural waters. Accordingly, this paper mainly discusses the contribution of aquaculture to the presence of microplastics and ARGs in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics and ARGs can (1) affect the production and quality of aquatic products; (2) influence the development and reproduction of aquatic organisms; and (3) accelerate the spread of resistant bacteria. How to eliminate microplastics and ARGs and block their transmission has become a worldwide problem. Actually, further research is required to understand the scale and scope of these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin Jin
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui, 243002, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui, 243002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Zhao
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui, 243002, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui, 243002, People's Republic of China
| | - Maocai Shen
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui, 243002, People's Republic of China.
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