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Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Deciphering the mechanisms shaping the plastisphere antibiotic resistome on riverine microplastics
Chenye Xu1, Jiawei Lu1, Chensi Shen1
1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
Abstract:
Microplastics in urban rivers provide bacterial niches and serve as dispersal vectors for antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) dissemination, which may exacerbate risks in the aquatic systems. However, whether MPs in the river would also selectively enrich ARGs and the underlying mechanisms shaping the resistome on MPs remains largely unknown. In this study, we explored the occurrence of ARGs, bacterial communities, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) on MPs and in waters from the Huangpu River in China. Microplastics were widely distributed in the river (1.78 ± 0.84 items/L), with overwhelming percentages of polyethylene terephthalate fibers. Although reduced ARG abundances were observed on MPs than in waters, MPs selectively enriched the ARGs resistant to Rifamycin and Vancomycin. A clear variation for ARG profiles was elucidated between water and MPs samples. Network analysis suggested that MPs created a unique niche for the genus Afipia to colonize, potentially contributing to the vertical dissemination of ARGs. Additionally, the co-occurrence between ARGs and MGEs revealed that the MPs favor the propagation of some plasmid-associated ARGs mediated by horizontal gene transfer. The null model-based stochasticity ratio and the neutral community model suggested that the ARG assembly on MPs was dominantly driven by stochastic process. The results further indicated that microbial communities and MGEs played significant roles in shaping ARG profiles and dynamics on MPs. Our findings provided new insights into the ecological processes of antibiotic resistome of the aquatic plastisphere.
Insights
Microplastics in rivers act as hotspots for antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), selectively enriching specific ARGs and influencing their spread through bacterial communities and mobile genetic elements.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) in urban rivers are known bacterial habitats and vectors for antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs).
- The selective enrichment of ARGs on MPs and the mechanisms driving these changes in aquatic environments remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of ARGs, bacterial communities, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) on MPs in the Huangpu River.
- To elucidate the mechanisms shaping the antibiotic resistome on microplastics in riverine ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of microplastics and water from the Huangpu River.
- Quantification of ARGs, characterization of bacterial communities, and identification of MGEs on MPs and in water.
- Network analysis and ecological modeling (null model, neutral community model) to understand ARG assembly processes.
Main Results:
- Microplastics were prevalent in the river, primarily composed of polyethylene terephthalate fibers.
- Despite lower overall ARG abundance on MPs compared to water, specific ARGs (Rifamycin, Vancomycin resistance) were selectively enriched on MPs.
- MPs fostered unique bacterial niches (e.g., Afipia genus) and facilitated the propagation of plasmid-associated ARGs via horizontal gene transfer, with stochastic processes dominating ARG assembly.
Conclusions:
- Microbial communities and MGEs significantly influence ARG profiles and dynamics on riverine microplastics.
- Microplastics contribute to the ecological processes of the aquatic antibiotic resistome, highlighting potential risks associated with ARG dissemination.
