We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The key role of magnetic iron-to-biochar mass ratios in the dissipation of oxytetracycline and its resistance genes in soils with and without biodegradable microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers synthesized magnetic biochars at different iron-to-biochar mass ratios and tested their ability to simultaneously remove the antibiotic oxytetracycline and its resistance genes from soils with and without PBAT biodegradable microplastics. A 1:2 iron-to-biochar ratio achieved the highest removal efficiencies (~95%) in both MPs-contaminated and clean soils, demonstrating biochar as a dual-action tool for antibiotic and resistance gene remediation.
There are challenges involved in the synergistic dissipation of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil because ARGs are affected by not only the selective pressure of antibiotics but also microbial community succession and co-existing pollutants. Here, magnetic biochars (MBCs) at various magnetic iron-to-biochar mass ratios (3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5, and 1:7) were synthesized to develop a strategy for the synergistic dissipation of oxytetracycline (OTC) and its resistance gene (tet) in soils with and without polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) microplastics (MPs). The results showed that MBC12 (1:2) achieved the greatest dissipation efficiencies of OTC in soils without and with PBAT MPs (95.27% and 94.50%, respectively). The reductive degradation of OTC via promoting the electron transfer during conversion between Fe(III) and Fe(II) overwhelmed biodegradation of OTC. MBCs effectively hindered the spread of tet in soil without PBAT MPs, with the efficiencies more than 60%; but they had little influence on its spread in soil with PBAT MPs, excluding MBC15 (1:5). The absolute abundance of tet, regardless of PBAT MPs, just significantly positively correlated with Serratia (the added exogenous tet-host bacterium), indicating that MBCs inhibited the horizontal transfer of tet at the inter-genus level. Down-regulating the degradation/utilization/assimilation metabolic function by MBCs (excluding MBC31, 3:1) contributed to the hindering class 1 integron gene (intI1)-driven tet propagation. After considering efficiency, cost and toxic effects, MBC12 (1:2) was recommended to use for synergistic dissipation of OTC and tet in soils without and with PBAT MPs.
More Papers Like This
The effect of bulk-biochar and nano-biochar amendment on the removal of antibiotic resistance genes in microplastic contaminated soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether bulk-biochar and nano-biochar amendments could reduce antibiotic resistance genes in microplastic-contaminated soil. They found that microplastics initially increased the abundance of resistance genes, but both biochar types effectively inhibited their spread regardless of microplastic presence. The study suggests that biochar amendment is a promising strategy for managing antibiotic resistance in soils co-contaminated with microplastics.
Physiological Responses of Serratia marcescens to Magnetic Biochars and Coexisting Microplastics and the Relationships with Antibiotic Resistance Genes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how magnetic biochars affect Serratia marcescens physiology and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dynamics in the presence of polybutylene microplastics, investigating molecular biological mechanisms underlying biochar inhibition of horizontal ARG transfer in soils.
Co-application of organic fertilizer and biochar ameliorates the triple composite pollution of microplastics, antibiotic resistance genes, and heavy metals in soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Agricultural soils are increasingly polluted by a troubling combination of heavy metals, microplastics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria — and this five-year field study found that combining biochar with organic fertilizer significantly reduces all three types of contamination at once. The treatment worked by reshaping soil microbial communities in ways that suppressed antibiotic-resistant organisms while promoting microbes that break down plastics and immobilize metals. This approach offers a practical, field-tested strategy for cleaning up complex pollution in intensively farmed soils.
Application of food waste digestates and digestate-derived biochar for mitigating antibiotic, Pb, and ARGs pollution in soil containing biodegradable microplastics: The key role of exogenous dissolved organic carbon and organic nitrogen.
AI summary Read the abstract
In lab soil tests containing microplastics from biodegradable plastic mulch, three food-waste-based treatments reduced an antibiotic and lowered levels of antibiotic resistance genes, while two of them also reduced the mobility of lead. The treatments worked partly by changing soil chemistry and bacteria that carry resistance genes.
Performance and Mechanism of Sulfathiazole Adsorption by Magnetic Biochar: Promoting Effect of Co-existing Polystyrene and Simultaneous Removal
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers synthesized a magnetic biochar and tested its ability to remove the antibiotic sulfathiazole from water containing polystyrene microplastics, finding that the biochar achieved efficient removal of both contaminants simultaneously, with the microplastics actually promoting antibiotic adsorption.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.