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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Biodegradable Microplastics Increase the Health Risks of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Eutrophic Urban Lake
ClearSelective enrichment of high-risk antibiotic resistance genes and priority pathogens in freshwater plastisphere: Unique role of biodegradable microplastics
This study found that biodegradable microplastics like polylactic acid (PLA) -- often marketed as eco-friendly -- actually attracted more dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria than conventional plastics in freshwater. The biodegradable plastics selectively enriched high-priority pathogens carrying multiple resistance genes, meaning they could help spread antibiotic resistance through water systems that ultimately affect human health.
Polymer type and aging drive the selective enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in microplastics biofilms
Researchers compared how microorganisms colonize conventional polypropylene versus biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics in a wetland environment. They found that while biodegradable PLA attracted fewer total microbes, it actually enriched a higher proportion of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and resistance genes, especially after environmental aging. The findings raise important questions about whether biodegradable plastics may pose unexpected risks as carriers of antibiotic resistance in aquatic ecosystems.
DeterminingAntimicrobial Resistance in the Plastisphere:Lower Risks of Nonbiodegradable vs Higher Risks of Biodegradable Microplastics
Researchers determined the prevalence and diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes in the plastisphere (biofilm on microplastics) compared to surrounding water and sediment, finding that non-biodegradable plastics hosted distinct resistance gene profiles with lower overall resistance risk than biodegradable plastic surfaces.
Determining Antimicrobial Resistance in the Plastisphere: Lower Risks of Nonbiodegradable vs Higher Risks of Biodegradable Microplastics
This study found that biodegradable microplastics actually pose a higher risk for spreading antibiotic resistance than conventional non-biodegradable plastics. As biodegradable plastics break down, they appear to promote stress responses in bacteria that encourage the sharing of antibiotic resistance genes. This is concerning because biodegradable plastics are often marketed as safer alternatives.
Biodegradable microplastics amplify antibiotic resistance in aquaculture: A potential One Health crisis from environment to seafood
Researchers tracked antibiotic resistance genes in tilapia aquaculture systems exposed to conventional polypropylene and biodegradable PBAT microplastics over 90 days. They found that both types of microplastics promoted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, with biodegradable plastics showing comparable or even greater effects. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer, suggesting they may similarly amplify antibiotic resistance risks in food production systems.
Persistent versus transient, and conventional plastic versus biodegradable plastic? —Two key questions about microplastic-water exchange of antibiotic resistance genes
Researchers compared antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) exchange between water and floating biodegradable (PBAT) versus non-biodegradable (PET) microplastics, finding that ARG exchange was persistent over time for both polymer types. Biodegradable plastics did not substantially reduce ARG accumulation compared to conventional plastics, suggesting biodegradability alone does not lower the antimicrobial resistance risk of plastic pollution.
DeterminingAntimicrobial Resistance in the Plastisphere:Lower Risks of Nonbiodegradable vs Higher Risks of Biodegradable Microplastics
This companion study further characterizes antimicrobial resistance in the plastisphere across different plastic types, confirming that polymer biodegradability influences bacterial community composition and the enrichment of resistance determinants on plastic surfaces in aquatic environments.
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.
Dynamic evolution of antibiotic resistance genes in plastisphere in the vertical profile of urban rivers
This study found that microplastics floating at different depths in urban rivers act as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes, which help bacteria survive antibiotic treatment. The type of plastic matters: biodegradable plastics like PLA harbored more resistance genes than conventional PET plastic. This is concerning because microplastics in waterways could help spread drug-resistant bacteria that eventually reach human water supplies.
Biodegradable microplastics show greater potential than conventional types in facilitating antibiotic resistance gene enrichment and transfer through viral communities
Researchers compared how conventional and biodegradable microplastics affect viral communities and antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soils and found that biodegradable plastics posed a greater risk. Biodegradable microplastics significantly enriched high-risk antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements regardless of fertilizer type, while conventional microplastics had more limited effects. The study challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for soil ecosystems.
Biodegradable microplastics exacerbate the risk of antibiotic resistance genes pollution in agricultural soils
This study found that biodegradable plastics (PLA and PBAT), often promoted as eco-friendly alternatives, actually increased antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soil more than conventional plastics like polyethylene. The biodegradable plastics promoted the growth of bacteria that carry resistance genes and enhanced the ability of these genes to spread between organisms. These findings challenge the assumption that switching to biodegradable plastics will reduce environmental and health risks in farming.
Polyethylene microplastics specifically drive the dissemination of ARGs: Mechanisms involving microbial community restructuring and horizontal gene transfer
A 28-day lake water experiment found that polyethylene microplastics specifically — more than polystyrene or polypropylene — drove significant increases in antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in the water's microbial community, largely by restructuring which bacteria dominated and facilitating horizontal gene transfer between microbes. The plastic surface appeared to create a hotspot for resistance gene exchange by enriching certain bacterial genera that serve as hosts for these genes. Since lakes are both drinking water sources and recreational waters, this finding highlights polyethylene microplastics as a particular concern for public health.
Bio-based microplastics increase the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments
This study found that bio-based plastics — often marketed as environmentally friendly alternatives — actually transfer antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria at dramatically higher rates (21–48 times) than conventional plastics like PET. This is a significant concern because widespread adoption of bioplastics could inadvertently accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.
Slower antibiotics degradation and higher resistance genes enrichment in plastisphere
Researchers compared how antibiotics break down on microplastic surfaces versus natural mineral surfaces in urban water environments. Tetracycline degraded significantly more slowly on microplastic biofilms than on quartzite biofilms, and the plastic surfaces harbored higher levels of antibiotic resistance genes. The findings suggest that microplastics in waterways may slow antibiotic breakdown while promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Selection of antibiotic resistance genes on biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics
This study examined antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) occurrence in biofilms forming on biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics in marine ecosystems. It found that microplastic surfaces selected for ARG-enriched microbial communities, with polymer type influencing which resistance genes were enriched, raising concerns about microplastics facilitating ARG spread.
Selective enrichment of bacterial pathogens by microplastic biofilm
Researchers incubated biofilms on microplastics and natural substrates in freshwater and found that microplastic surfaces selectively enriched bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes compared to rock and leaf surfaces. The study suggests that microplastics in waterways may serve as hotspots for harmful bacteria and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Microplastics can selectively enrich intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistant genes and shape different microbial communities in aquatic systems
Researchers examined how microplastics of different types selectively capture antibiotic resistance genes and shape microbial communities in aquatic systems. They found that microplastics enriched both intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes, with the enrichment patterns varying by plastic type. The study suggests that microplastics may serve as hotspots for the spread of antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and natural water environments.
Distinct species turnover patterns shaped the richness of antibiotic resistance genes on eight different microplastic polymers
Researchers studied antibiotic resistance genes on eight different types of microplastic surfaces in the environment and found 479 different resistance genes across all plastic types. Biodegradable plastics actually harbored more dangerous bacteria carrying resistance genes than conventional plastics, including species linked to human disease like Vibrio cholerae. This is concerning because these microplastics could spread antibiotic-resistant infections through the environment to people.
Comparison of pristine and aged poly-L-lactic acid and polyethylene terephthalate as microbe carriers in surface water: Displaying apparent differences
Researchers compared how pristine and UV-aged biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid and non-degradable PET microplastics serve as carriers for microbial communities in river water. They found that aged microplastics attracted more microbes and had higher biofilm formation than pristine ones, and that the biodegradable PLLA supported greater microbial enrichment and diversity than PET. The study demonstrates that microplastics in aquatic environments are highly effective carriers for bacteria, including pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes.
Microplastic pollution increases gene exchange in aquatic ecosystems
Researchers found that microplastics in aquatic environments serve as surfaces where bacteria form biofilms and exchange genes at higher rates than free-living bacteria. The study demonstrated increased transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among a wide range of bacterial species growing on microplastic particles. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution could accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance in waterways, posing a potential hazard to both ecosystems and human health.
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.
Microplastics Exacerbated Conjugative Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes during Ultraviolet Disinfection: Highlighting Difference between Conventional and Biodegradable Ones
Researchers found that microplastics significantly increased the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes during ultraviolet disinfection of wastewater. Conventional polystyrene microplastics facilitated more gene transfer than biodegradable polylactic acid ones, primarily by shielding bacteria from UV light and generating reactive oxygen species that increased cell membrane permeability.
Traditional and biodegradable plastics host distinct and potentially more hazardous microbes when compared to both natural materials and planktonic community
Researchers compared the bacterial communities that colonize traditional plastics, biodegradable plastics, and natural materials like wood and glass in freshwater environments. They found that both conventional and biodegradable plastics hosted distinct and potentially more hazardous microbial communities than natural materials. The study suggests that biodegradable plastics are not necessarily safer from a microbial perspective and may still serve as platforms for harmful bacteria in the environment.
Biodegradability of microplastics reshapes surface biofilm microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling functions in aquatic environments
Researchers compared how biodegradable (PLA) and non-biodegradable (polyethylene and PVC) microplastics affect the microbial communities that form on their surfaces in aquatic environments, finding substantial differences in which bacteria colonized each plastic type and how they processed nitrogen. PLA supported communities rich in nitrogen-cycling bacteria, while PVC and polyethylene enriched different microbial groups associated with pollutant degradation. The study suggests that the push toward biodegradable plastics will change — not just reduce — the ecological effects of microplastics in rivers and lakes.