We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
[Distribution of Microplastic and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Pollution in Jiulong River Estuary].
Original title: [Distribution of Microplastic and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Pollution in Jiulong River Estuary].
AI summary Read the abstract
This Chinese-language study characterized microplastic distribution in water and sediment from the Jiulong River estuary in China and measured antibiotic resistance gene abundance at the same sites. The researchers found that microplastic-rich areas tended to have higher concentrations of antibiotic resistance genes, consistent with the hypothesis that microplastics can harbor and spread resistant bacteria. The co-occurrence of these two types of pollution in estuaries poses combined ecological and public health risks.
Pollution from microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is prevalent in estuarine regions. MPs may also enrich ARGs and increase the spread of ARGs. This study investigated the distribution characteristics of MPs in surface water and sediments from different stations in Jiulong River estuary for the first time, determined eight common ARGs abundance in each sample, and analyzed the correlation between MPs content and ARGs abundance. The results showed:① MPs concentrations in the Jiulong River estuary water environment ranged from 2 to 66 n·L-1, and the sediment content range (dw) was 8 to 85 n·kg-1. The main materials of MPs detected were polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene (PE). More than 85% of the MPs were smaller than 1 mm. ② The predominant ARGs in the estuary were tetracycline resistance genes tetC and tetG and sulfonamide resistance gene sul2; the relative abundance of ARGs in the surface water showed a significant negative correlation with salinity. ③ A positive correlation existed among MPs concentration, ARGs relative abundance, and class1 integron geneintI1, which implied that MPs may promote the spread of ARGs in seawater.
More Papers Like This
[Microplastics-Induced Shifts of Diversity and Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in River Water].
AI summary Read the abstract
This Chinese study used high-throughput quantitative PCR to measure how different microplastic types affect the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in river water. Polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics both increased the overall abundance of resistance genes, supporting concerns that microplastics act as reservoirs and spreaders of antibiotic resistance in freshwater systems.
Distinct profile of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in Ganjiang River at the watershed level
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution and associated bacterial communities, human pathogenic bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes across the Ganjiang River watershed. They found microplastics were widely distributed with an average of 407 particles per cubic meter, and that microplastic surfaces harbored significantly higher bacterial diversity and more antibiotic resistance genes than surrounding water or sediment.
Co-Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Haihe River Estuary and Bohai Sea Coastal Waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studying the Haihe River estuary and Bohai Sea in China found that tiny plastic bits (mostly from PVC) tend to cluster together with drug-resistant bacteria genes in coastal waters, especially near shore. This matters because it suggests plastic pollution and antibiotic resistance might be linked in ways that could help harmful bacteria spread more easily through our water systems, potentially making infections harder to treat if this contamination reaches humans through seafood or drinking water sources.
Effects of tidal action on the stability of microbiota, antibiotic resistance genes, and microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to study microbial diversity and the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary across areas with different land uses. The study found that tidal action influenced the stability and distribution of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes, with different land use types showing distinct patterns of contamination.
Prevalence of microplastics, antibiotic resistant genes and microplastic associated biofilms in estuary - A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined evidence for microplastics, antibiotic resistance genes, and microplastic-associated biofilms in estuarine ecosystems. Microplastics in estuaries serve as substrates for diverse microbial biofilms including pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and estuaries are identified as important reservoirs for microplastic-facilitated horizontal gene transfer.
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.