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Stable isotopes and nanoSIMS single-cell imaging reveals soil plastisphere colonizers able to assimilate sulfamethoxazole
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Researchers used stable isotope labeling and nanoSIMS single-cell imaging to identify soil bacteria capable of colonizing plastic surfaces (the plastisphere) and assimilating 13C-labeled sulfamethoxazole antibiotic, revealing how plastic-antibiotic combinations in soil influence microbial metabolism and potential antibiotic resistance propagation.
Abstract The presence and accumulation of both plastics and antibiotics in soils may lead to the colonization, selection and propagation of bacteria with certain metabolic traits e.g. antibiotic resistance, in plastisphere. However, the impact of plastic-antibiotic tandem on the soil ecosystem functioning, particularly on microbial function and metabolism remains currently unexplored. Herein, we investigated the competence of soil bacteria to colonize plastics and to mineralize/degrade 13 C-labelled sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Using single cell imaging, isotope tracers, soil respiration and SMX mineralization bulk measurements we show that microbial colonization of polystyrene (PE) and polyethylene (PS) surfaces takes place within the first 30 days of incubation. Morphologically diverse, microorganisms were colonizing both plastic types, with a preference for PE substrate. Nano-scale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry measurements show that 13 C enrichment was highest at 130 days with values up to 1.29 atom %, similar to those of the 13 CO 2 pool (up to 1.26 atom%, or 22.55 ‰). Our results provide direct evidence demonstrating, at single cell level, the capacity of bacterial colonizers of plastics to assimilate 13 C from 13 C-SMX. These findings expand our knowledge on the role of plastisphere microbiota in the ecological functioning of soils impacted by anthropogenic stressors.
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Researchers used DNA stable isotope probing combined with metagenomics and Raman-activated cell sorting to identify microbes that degrade the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in soils containing polyethylene microplastics, finding that large-sized MPs (4.5 mm) enhanced degradation by improving soil conditions and microbial diversity, while small MPs (0.1 mm) inhibited it by creating harsher conditions that suppressed degrader populations.
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Plastic pollution in soil doesn't just sit there—it changes which bacteria thrive, and this study found that plastic-associated microbes actually made it harder for soil to break down a common livestock antibiotic (sulfamethazine), causing it to build up by about 25%. This matters because it suggests plastic waste in farmland could help antibiotics linger longer in the environment, potentially contributing to antibiotic resistance and contaminating soil, crops, and water we rely on.
The formation of specific bacterial communities contributes to the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil plastisphere
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Researchers used metagenomic approaches to study how microplastic surfaces in soil become enriched with antibiotic resistance genes through the formation of specific bacterial communities. The study tested three types of microplastics at two particle sizes and found that antibiotic resistance gene abundances significantly increased in the plastisphere compared to surrounding soil. Evidence indicates that microplastics in soil may serve as hotspots for the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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Researchers investigated microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastic surfaces (the plastisphere) in soil environments. They found that plastispheres harbor enriched levels of potential pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes compared to surrounding soil, and that adding manure or increasing temperature and moisture further amplified these concerning microbial communities.
Effects of co-loading of polyethylene microplastics and ciprofloxacin on the antibiotic degradation efficiency and microbial community structure in soil
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Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin together affect soil microbial communities and antibiotic degradation. The study found that co-loading of microplastics with antibiotics altered microbial community structure and affected the rate of antibiotic degradation in soil, suggesting microplastic contamination may influence how soils process pharmaceutical pollutants.
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