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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Photoaged microplastics enhanced the antibiotic resistance dissemination in WWTPs by altering the adsorption behavior of antibiotic resistance plasmids
ClearUV-aging of microplastics increases proximal ARG donor-recipient adsorption and leaching of chemicals that synergistically enhance antibiotic resistance propagation
Researchers found that UV-aged microplastics are significantly better at adsorbing bacteria and genetic material than fresh ones, boosting the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes by up to nearly fivefold. The aging process also caused the plastics to release organic chemicals that made bacteria more permeable and receptive to gene transfer. The study highlights an overlooked way that weathered microplastics in the environment could accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance.
UV-photoaging of degradable microplastics in atmospheric and wastewater: Surface changes and enhanced antibiotic interaction
When biodegradable microplastics spend time in wastewater rather than open air, they age much more aggressively — developing biofilms and oxidized surfaces that dramatically increase their ability to absorb antibiotics. This study found that wastewater-aged polybutylene succinate microplastics adsorbed 2.4 times more tetracycline than fresh plastic, and outperformed air-aged plastic by 40%, driven by biofilm chemistry and increased surface area. The implication is that wastewater treatment systems — rather than solving the microplastic problem — may be transforming biodegradable plastics into potent carriers for antibiotic 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.
Adsorption of levofloxacin by ultraviolet aging microplastics
Researchers studied how ultraviolet aging changes the ability of common microplastics to adsorb the antibiotic levofloxacin. The study found that UV-aged polystyrene, polyamide, and polyethylene microplastics all showed significantly enhanced adsorption capacity compared to their unaged counterparts, suggesting that weathered microplastics in the environment may carry higher pollutant loads.
Photoaging processes of polyvinyl chloride microplastics enhance the adsorption of tetracycline and facilitate the formation of antibiotic resistance
Researchers found that UV photoaging of PVC microplastics significantly enhanced their ability to adsorb the antibiotic tetracycline and facilitated the development of antibiotic resistance in surrounding microorganisms, raising concerns about aged microplastics in aquatic environments.
Alteration in microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes mediated by microplastics during wastewater ultraviolet disinfection
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics altered microbial community composition and antibiotic resistance gene profiles during UV disinfection of urban wastewater, with certain microplastic concentrations enhancing the survival of specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
UV-aged biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics further enhance horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance plasmids both in vitro and in intestinal flora
Researchers found that both petroleum-based and biodegradable microplastics significantly increase the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, and UV aging amplified this effect by 4 to 20 times. The aged particles disrupted bacterial cell membranes, increased oxidative stress, and boosted bacterial energy metabolism, all of which facilitated gene transfer. The study also showed that UV-aged microplastics promoted antibiotic resistance spread in gut bacteria in living organisms, raising concerns about environmental plastic degradation and public health.
Aged Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Review of Aging Effects on Their Interactions
This review explores how the aging of microplastics in the environment affects their ability to harbor antibiotic resistance genes. Researchers found that weathering processes like sunlight exposure increase the surface area of microplastics and generate reactive oxygen species, both of which can enhance the uptake and transfer of resistance genes among bacteria. The findings suggest that aged microplastics in the environment may be more effective at spreading antibiotic resistance than fresh ones.
Effects of aging of polyethylene microplastics and polystyrene nanoplastics on antibiotic resistance gene transfer during primary sludge fermentation
This study found that aged (weathered) microplastics and nanoplastics promoted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes during sewage sludge treatment more than fresh plastics did. The weathering process changed the surface properties of the plastics, making them better carriers for drug-resistant bacteria and their genes. This is concerning because sludge from treatment plants is often applied to farmland, potentially spreading antibiotic resistance through soil and into the food supply.
Influence of UV wavelength variations on tetracycline adsorption by polyethylene microplastics in aquatic environments
Exposure to UVC, UVB, and UVA light at different wavelengths differentially altered the surface chemistry of polyethylene microplastics and their subsequent adsorption capacity for the antibiotic tetracycline. Shorter UV wavelengths caused more extensive surface oxidation, increasing tetracycline adsorption by up to several fold and changing the antibiotic's environmental fate.
Impact of sequential UV-aging of microplastics on the fate of antibiotic (tetracycline) in riverine, estuarine, and marine systems
Researchers studied how sequential UV aging of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene microplastics, which mimics natural weathering, affects their ability to adsorb the antibiotic tetracycline under different water chemistry conditions. They found that aged microplastics adsorbed significantly more tetracycline than pristine particles, with the effect varying by water type and plastic polymer. The study suggests that as microplastics weather in the environment, they may become increasingly effective at carrying antibiotic contaminants.
Effect of chlorination and ultraviolet on the adsorption of pefloxacin on polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride
Researchers found that water treatment processes like chlorination and UV sterilization actually change the surface properties of microplastics, making them better at absorbing the antibiotic pefloxacin. Chlorination had a stronger effect than UV treatment, increasing the microplastics' ability to carry this pharmaceutical pollutant. This is concerning because it means standard water treatment could unintentionally make microplastics more effective at transporting drugs and other chemicals into drinking water.
Effects of erythromycin on biofilm formation and resistance mutation of Escherichia coli on pristine and UV-aged polystyrene microplastics
Researchers investigated how the antibiotic erythromycin affects bacterial biofilm formation on both new and UV-weathered polystyrene microplastics. They found that UV aging significantly changed the surface properties of the plastic, increasing its ability to absorb antibiotics and promote antibiotic-resistant bacterial mutations. The study suggests that weathered microplastics in the environment may act as hotspots for the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Microplastics act as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes in landfill leachate: The enhanced roles of the long-term aging process
This study examined whether the aging of microplastics in aquatic environments influences their role as vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Aged microplastics showed different ARG enrichment patterns on their surfaces compared to pristine particles, suggesting that weathering changes the capacity of plastic debris to accumulate and spread antibiotic resistance.
Influencing Mechanisms of Exogenous and Endogenous Dissolved Organic Matter on the Adsorption of Tetracycline on UV ‐Light Aged Microplastics
Researchers investigated how humic acid and microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) influence tetracycline adsorption onto UV-aged polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics, finding that UV aging increased surface area and functional groups on the plastics while dissolved organic matter altered adsorption capacity through competitive and facilitative mechanisms.
Microplastics shape microbial interactions and affect the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in different full-scale wastewater treatment plants
A study of three full-scale wastewater treatment plants found that microplastics were associated with increased spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with microplastic surfaces appearing to facilitate microbial interactions that promote ARG transfer. This is a significant public health concern because wastewater plants that fail to fully remove microplastics may also be inadvertently accelerating the dissemination of antibiotic resistance into receiving waterways.
Photoaging microplastics as ecological architects of antibiotic resistance dissemination in aquatic sediments: Shifting bacterial adaptation from metabolic regulation to invasive phenotypes
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles in water and sediment environments help spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria - the "superbugs" that are harder to treat with medicines. When these microplastics age from sunlight exposure, they become even better at helping dangerous bacteria multiply and share their resistance to antibiotics with other bacteria. This means that plastic pollution in our waterways could be making it harder for doctors to treat infections in people, creating a serious public health risk.
Investigation of the effect of microplastics on the UV inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water
Researchers found that polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics significantly reduced UV disinfection effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as bacteria associated with microplastic surfaces were shielded from UV exposure, creating a potential public health concern.
Identification of the aged microplastics film and its sorption of antibiotics and bactericides in aqueous and soil compartments
Researchers simulated UV aging of polyethylene microplastics from black garbage bags and examined their sorption behavior toward antibiotics and bactericides in both water and soil. They found that UV-aged PE microplastics exhibited decreased crystallinity and hydrophobicity, significantly enhancing their capacity to adsorb these contaminants compared to virgin microplastics.
[Effect of Aging on Adsorption of Tetracycline by Microplastics and the Mechanisms].
Researchers aged polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics under UV-254 irradiation and analyzed changes in color, surface morphology, and functional groups, finding that UV aging altered the physical and chemical properties of both MPs and significantly affected their adsorption capacity and mechanism for the antibiotic tetracycline.
The unexpected role of aged microplastics in inhibiting antibiotic resistance gene spread
Aged (weathered) microplastics were unexpectedly found to inhibit antibiotic resistance gene transfer between bacteria compared to virgin plastics. This surprising result suggests that the physical and chemical changes plastics undergo in the environment can alter their role in spreading antibiotic resistance, a key public health concern.
Adsorption behaviors of chlorpyrifos on UV aged microplastics
Researchers investigated how UV aging affects the adsorption of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on biodegradable and non-degradable microplastics, finding that UV irradiation significantly modified plastic surfaces and enhanced their capacity to carry organic pollutants.
UV-induced aging creates adsorption hotspots: Oxygen-containing functional groups on nanoplastics dictate the adsorption behavior of ciprofloxacin
When nanoplastics are exposed to UV light, the resulting oxidized surface groups — especially carbonyl and carboxyl groups — dramatically increase their ability to adsorb the common antibiotic ciprofloxacin. This matters because aged nanoplastics in waterways can act as Trojan horses, concentrating antibiotics and potentially delivering them to organisms that ingest the particles.
Sorption behavior and mechanism of hydrophilic organic chemicals to virgin and aged microplastics in freshwater and seawater
UV-accelerated aging of polystyrene and PVC microplastics increased surface oxidation and introduced microcracks, and aged MPs showed significantly increased adsorption of the hydrophilic antibiotic ciprofloxacin compared to virgin MPs. The findings demonstrate that even hydrophilic organic chemicals can accumulate on aged microplastics, expanding the range of compounds that microplastics may carry and deliver to organisms.