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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Time-resolved co-transport dynamics of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes during stormwater first flush
ClearMicroplastic dynamics along an extreme flood event in a peri-urban stream
Researchers monitored microplastic dynamics in a peri-urban stream at high temporal resolution during an extreme flood event, finding that MP concentrations and fluxes varied dramatically throughout the event in ways not captured by pre- and post-event sampling alone.
Storm events as key moments of microplastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems
Researchers monitored microplastic concentrations in waterways before, during, and after storm events and found that storm-driven runoff caused major spikes in microplastic abundance, identifying storm events as key transport moments that standard monitoring programs typically miss.
Evaluating the role of microplastics and wastewater in shaping Vibrio spp. and antibiotic resistance gene abundance in urban freshwaters
Researchers sampled water and microplastic biofilms from urban South African rivers and found that microplastics disproportionately enriched Vibrio spp. and tetracycline resistance genes relative to the surrounding water, suggesting microplastics selectively concentrate pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes.
Watershed urbanization enhances the enrichment of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in the water environment
Researchers compared microplastic biofilm communities (the plastisphere) across watersheds with different levels of urbanization, finding that higher urbanization enriched pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on plastic surfaces in waterways. The study suggests that urban runoff substantially elevates the health risk posed by microplastics as vectors of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
Inter-event and intra-event dynamics of microplastic emissions in an urban river during rainfall episodes
Researchers conducted high-frequency sampling of microplastics in a Japanese urban river during three different rainfall events to understand how storms mobilize plastic pollution. They found that rainfall events increased microplastic loads by 4 to 110 times compared to dry weather, with smaller particles mobilizing first during lighter rains and larger particles surging after peak rainfall intensity. The study reveals that storm dynamics play a critical role in determining when and how microplastics are flushed from urban areas into waterways.
Quantifying health risks of plastisphere antibiotic resistome and deciphering driving mechanisms in an urbanizing watershed
This study measured the health risks posed by antibiotic resistance genes found on microplastic surfaces in a watershed affected by urbanization. Polyethylene microplastics carried the highest risk, and urban development increased the danger by promoting the spread of resistance genes among bacteria living on plastic surfaces. The findings show that microplastics in waterways act as vehicles for antibiotic resistance, which could make infections harder to treat in communities downstream.
Impact of Urbanization on Antibiotic Resistome in Different Microplastics: Evidence from a Large-Scale Whole River Analysis
Researchers conducted a large-scale river survey across urbanization gradients and characterized antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics from each zone, finding that urbanization level strongly predicted the diversity and abundance of resistance genes on plastic surfaces.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in urban stormwater runoff: Functional area effects and transport pathways (Shanghai, China)
During a heavy rainfall event in Shanghai, microplastic concentrations in stormwater peaked within just 5 minutes in dining areas (nearly 690 particles per liter), far exceeding residential and parking zones, driven by a pronounced first-flush effect. The results show that food-service land use is an underrecognized microplastic hotspot, with urban stormwater rapidly exporting these particles to waterways.
High frequency sampling during a storm hydrograph offers insights into the possible transport and source activation dynamics of microplastics within a peri urban stream.
High-frequency sampling during a storm hydrograph in a peri-urban stream revealed that microplastic concentrations spike dramatically during peak flow, indicating that storm events are key drivers of microplastic mobilization and transport to downstream water bodies.
Change in microplastic concentration during various temporal events downstream of a combined sewage overflow and in an urban stormwater creek
Researchers examined how microplastic concentrations in urban waterways changed during rain events, snowmelt, and combined sewage overflow episodes, finding that stormwater runoff and sewer overflows substantially increase microplastic loads, with event type and intensity influencing concentration patterns.
Correlation appraisal of antibiotic resistance with fecal, metal and microplastic contamination in a tropical Indian river, lakes and sewage
Researchers sampled water from Indian urban rivers, lakes, and sewage plants and found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria correlated with fecal contamination and microplastic presence, especially for certain antibiotics, while fluoroquinolone resistance appeared more linked to seasonal temperature. The study suggests microplastics may help spread antibiotic resistance in urban waterways, adding a new dimension to concerns about plastic pollution.
Microplastic emission characteristics of stormwater runoff in an urban area: Intra-event variability and influencing factors
Researchers found that stormwater runoff from both industrial and residential urban catchments contained substantial microplastics (54–639 particles per liter), with polypropylene and polyethylene dominating, and that microplastic concentrations peaked early in rain events following longer dry periods.
Metagenomic insights into environmental risk of field microplastics in an urban river
Metagenomic analysis of microplastics sampled along an urban river watershed revealed that MP-associated microbial communities carried antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors at higher levels than surrounding water, with composition shifting along the river gradient. The findings confirm microplastics as environmental vectors for spreading antimicrobial resistance.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in stormwater runoff from parking lots and roadways on a university campus
Rain events washing over university parking lots and roads release pulses of microplastics into stormwater drains, with concentrations spiking at the start of rainfall and rapidly declining—a pattern called the 'first flush' effect. Samples from the University of Mississippi showed concentrations as high as 128 particles per liter at the onset of rain, dropping to around 6–8 particles per liter after 30 minutes. Most particles were small fragments (30–150 µm) of nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene—plastics consistent with tire wear, synthetic textiles, and road-associated debris. This highlights urban stormwater as a direct conduit carrying microplastics from roads to receiving waterways with every rainfall event.
Effect of the first-flush phenomenon on the quantification of microplastics in rainwater
High-frequency rainwater sampling revealed that the first flush effect significantly influences microplastic concentrations in rainfall, with initial rainfall pulses carrying far higher microplastic loads than later stages. This finding has important implications for how wet deposition studies should be designed and how land-to-ocean microplastic transport is quantified.
Contribution of microplastic particles to the spread of resistances and pathogenic bacteria in treated wastewaters
Researchers studied microplastic particles collected from treated wastewater effluents and found that MPs harbored significantly higher loads of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenic bacteria compared to surrounding water, suggesting MPs facilitate their environmental spread.
Metagenomic insights into ecological risk of antibiotic resistome and mobilome in riverine plastisphere under impact of urbanization
This study used advanced genetic sequencing to examine antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics found in an urban river. Microplastics harbored more antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements than natural materials like rocks and wood, and the problem was worse in more urbanized areas. The findings suggest that microplastics in waterways can act as hotspots for spreading antibiotic resistance, which is a growing public health threat.
Fragmented Microplastics Synergize with Biological Treatment To Potentiate Antibiotic Resistance Dissemination during Sewage Treatment
Researchers used metagenomic sequencing and high-throughput qPCR across a full sewage treatment chain to show that fragmented microplastics preferentially concentrate clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes, with MP-bound genes contributing up to 43% of intracellular resistance genes detected in treated effluent, and Acinetobacter emerging as a key resistance indicator.
Fibrous and FragmentedMicroplastics Discharged fromSewage Amplify Health Risks Associated with Antibiotic ResistanceGenes in Aquatic Environments
Researchers used metagenomic sequencing and high-throughput qPCR to characterize antibiotic resistance genes in sewage discharge-receiving waters, finding that fibrous and fragmented microplastics selectively enriched and transported resistance genes — amplifying antibiotic resistance risks beyond the genes' direct aquatic transfer.
Size effects of microplastics on antibiotic resistome and core microbiome in an urban river
Scientists found that microplastics in an urban river serve as platforms for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and dangerous pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Legionella pneumophila. Larger microplastic particles harbored more antibiotic resistance genes, and the concentrations of these genes were much higher on plastic surfaces than in the surrounding water. This research raises concerns that microplastics in waterways could spread drug-resistant infections by providing a surface where dangerous bacteria thrive and share resistance genes.
Microplastics in fresh- and wastewater are potential contributors to antibiotic resistance - A minireview
Researchers reviewed the link between microplastic pollution and the spread of antibiotic resistance in freshwater environments, finding that microplastic surfaces host unique bacterial communities enriched in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the resistance genes they can share with other microbes. The close packing of bacteria in these plastic-surface biofilms may accelerate the spread of drug-resistant pathogens through drinking water sources, though the full health implications remain poorly understood.
Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events
Researchers measured anthropogenic particle concentrations and deposition fluxes in an urban river over time, finding that particle loads were strongly driven by storm events rather than baseline flow conditions. During storm events, particle concentrations increased by an order of magnitude, identifying stormwater runoff as the dominant pathway delivering anthropogenic particles including microplastics to urban rivers.
Estimated discharge of microplastics via urban stormwater during individual rain events
Researchers collected stormwater samples from 15 locations during rain events to assess microplastic discharge through urban runoff. The study found highly variable microplastic concentrations influenced by catchment characteristics, and provided estimates of the quantity of microplastics released to receiving waters during rain events, highlighting urban stormwater as an important pathway for microplastic pollution.
[Microplastics-Induced Shifts of Diversity and Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in River Water].
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.