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Alteration in microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes mediated by microplastics during wastewater

Zeyuan Yang1, Peng Liu2, Haoyu Wei1

  • 1College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.

The Science of the Total Environment
|February 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) in wastewater alter microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during UV disinfection. PSMPs can increase certain ARGs but decrease free antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing combined environmental risks.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Water Treatment Technology

Background:

  • Microplastics (MPs) act as vectors for microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).
  • Limited understanding exists on how MPs influence wastewater treatment processes, particularly UV disinfection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) on microbial communities and ARGs during urban sewage UV disinfection.
  • To assess how PSMP concentration and size impact ARG distribution and removal.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic study of microbial communities and ARGs in urban sewage with varying PSMP concentrations and sizes.
  • Analysis of microbial community structure (phyla abundance) and function.
  • Quantification of specific ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) before and after UV disinfection.

Main Results:

  • PSMPs altered microbial community abundance and function, increasing Deinococcus-Thermus and Bacteroidetes while decreasing Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria.
  • Specific ARGs (OXA-182, ErmH) increased, while others (adeF, ANT3-Iic) decreased in the presence of PSMPs.
  • PSMPs reduced free ARB by providing colonization sites and interfered with UV disinfection efficiency by increasing turbidity.

Conclusions:

  • PSMPs significantly alter microbial community structure and ARG profiles in wastewater during UV disinfection.
  • The presence of PSMPs presents combined risks, influencing both microbial dynamics and the efficacy of wastewater treatment for ARGs.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance geneDistributionMicrobial communityMicroplasticsWastewater disinfection

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