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Combined effects of ciprofloxacin and microplastics on alpine spring water microbiota: evidence from glacier-fed microcosm experiments
Summary
Researchers used glacier-fed microcosm experiments to examine the combined effects of ciprofloxacin and microplastics on alpine spring water microbial communities, finding that the antibiotic caused significant community disruption while microplastics provided additional conditions favouring antibiotic-resistant biofilm formation.
These findings demonstrate the disruptive effects of CIP on alpine freshwater microbial communities and highlight the additional, though more moderate, influence of MPs. The combined presence of MPs and antibiotics may exacerbate resistance spreading by enhancing persistence and providing favorable conditions for resistant biofilms. A mechanistic understanding of these interactions is essential for accurate risk assessment and the development of effective mitigation strategies in alpine and other vulnerable freshwater ecosystems.