We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Antibiotic sorption onto MPs in terrestrial environment: a critical review of the transport, bioaccumulation, ecotoxicological effects and prospects
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics in soil absorb and transport antibiotics, creating complex pollutants that can spread antibiotic resistance genes through the environment. When antibiotic-carrying microplastics are taken up by plants or soil organisms, the resistance genes can eventually reach humans through the food chain. The authors highlight the need for better strategies to reduce microplastic contamination in soil to help slow the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance.
Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics are prevalent contaminants in terrestrial environment. MPs possess the ability to absorb antibiotics, resulting in the formation of complex pollutants. While the accumulation and fate of MPs and antibiotics in marine ecosystems have been extensively studied, their combined pollution behavior in terrestrial environments remains relatively underexplored. This paper describes the sources, migration, and compound pollution of MPs and antibiotics in soil. It reviews the mechanisms of compound toxicity associated with antibiotics and MPs, combining different biological classifications. Moreover, we highlight the factors that influence the effects of MPs as vectors and the critical elements driving the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These information suggests the potential mitigation measures for MPs contamination from different perspectives to reduce the impact of ARGs-carrying MPs on human health, specifically through transmission via plants, microbes, or terrestrial vertebrates. Finally, we identify gaps in scientific knowledge regarding the interaction between MPs and antibiotics in soil environments, including the need for standardized research methods, multi-dimensional studies on complex ecological effects, and more comprehensive risk assessments of other pollutants on human health. In summary, this paper provides foundational information for assessing their combined toxicity, offers insights into the distribution of these emerging pollutants in soil, and contributes to a better understanding of the environmental impact of these contaminants.
More Papers Like This
Insight into combined pollution of antibiotics and microplastics in aquatic and soil environment: Environmental behavior, interaction mechanism and associated impact of resistant genes
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the combined pollution created when microplastics absorb antibiotics in water and soil environments. Researchers found that microplastics can concentrate antibiotics on their surfaces, and this combination promotes the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes in microbial communities. The study highlights that the interaction between these two emerging pollutants may pose greater environmental and health risks than either one alone.
Characteristics of tetracycline antibiotic resistance gene enrichment and migration in soil–plant system
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes spread through soil and into plants, with microplastics identified as one of the factors that accelerate this process. Resistance genes can transfer from soil bacteria into plant tissues through root absorption, ultimately accumulating in edible parts like leaves and fruits. This means microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil could help spread antibiotic resistance to humans through the food they eat.
A critical review of the adsorption-desorption characteristics of antibiotics on microplastics and their combined toxic effects
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review examines how microplastics absorb and release antibiotics in the environment, and the combined toxic effects of this interaction. When microplastics carrying antibiotics are ingested by living organisms, they may promote antibiotic resistance and cause greater harm than either pollutant alone, which is a growing concern for human health.
Antibiotic resistance in urban soils: Dynamics and mitigation strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how urban soils act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with microplastics identified as one of the sources spreading antibiotics and resistance genes through soil. The resistant bacteria can transfer to humans through direct contact, food, and water. The findings highlight an underappreciated way that microplastic pollution in cities could contribute to the growing antibiotic resistance crisis.
[Research Progress on Adsorption, Migration, and Compound Toxicity of Microplastics and Antibiotics in Soil].
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined how microplastics adsorb antibiotics in soil, drive their co-migration, and produce combined toxic effects on soil fauna, plants, and microorganisms. Hydrophobic partitioning, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding are the primary adsorption mechanisms, and co-exposure often amplifies toxicity to soil ecosystems.
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.