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Effects of microplastics on the high-risk antibiotic resistance genes in different layer of membrane composting
Summary
Researchers tracked how microplastic contamination influences the fate of high-risk antibiotic resistance genes during semipermeable membrane composting of poultry manure, finding that MPs accelerated removal of mcr-1 and bla genes during peak heating while simultaneously promoting regrowth of tetracycline resistance genes in cooler phases by supporting the recovery of key host bacteria, with the wetter bottom layer posing the greatest resistance gene risk.
The formation of different layers in semipermeable membrane composting piles has been reported in previous studies. Additionally, emerging microplastic (MP) contamination has been detected in livestock and poultry manure. To better understand MPs' influence on high-risk antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during poultry manure semipermeable membrane composting, this study evaluated high-risk ARGs in different layers of composting piles. During membrane composting's megathermal period, MPs significantly enhanced mcr-1 and bla removal rates (>99.50% in each layer) vs. the blank group (P < 0.05), but tetX growth rate in the middle/bottom layers of the MPs group was over twice that of the blank group. Further tests showed MPs altered ARG-associated genera abundance and reduced ARG levels during megathermal period. During cooling, MPs increased tetX abundance by promoting the recovery of ARG host bacteria (especially Paracoccus kondratievae and Bacillus cereus). Additionally, the bottom layer's highest moisture content and electrical conductivity increased ARG host bacteria abundance on MP surfaces, posing the highest risk.