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Microplastics Exacerbated Conjugative Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes during Ultraviolet Disinfection:

Xinrui Zhang1, Jian Wang2, Zeyuan Yang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-Environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.

Environmental Science & Technology
|December 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Microplastics (MPs) enhance antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) transfer during wastewater treatment. Both conventional and biodegradable MPs facilitate this process, with polystyrene MPs showing a greater effect due to fragmentation and ROS production.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Chemistry

Background:

  • Microplastics (MPs) are known reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater.
  • The influence of MPs on ARG transfer during wastewater treatment processes is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of conventional (polystyrene, PS) and biodegradable (polylactic acid, PLA) MPs in the conjugative transfer of ARGs.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which MPs affect ARG transfer during ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative study of PS and PLA MPs during UV disinfection.
  • Analysis of ARG transfer rates under different conditions.
  • Investigation of MP fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and bacterial responses.

Main Results:

  • MPs significantly facilitated the conjugative transfer of ARGs compared to UV disinfection alone.
  • Polystyrene MPs showed a higher facilitation effect than PLA MPs.
  • Facilitation mechanisms include light shielding, ROS production, and nanoplastic generation, which increase bacterial oxidative stress and intercellular contact.

Conclusions:

  • Both conventional and biodegradable MPs pose risks for ARG transfer in wastewater treatment.
  • The fragmentation of MPs into nanoplastics and ROS generation are key mechanisms enhancing ARG exchange.
  • Understanding these combined risks is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Keywords:
antibiotic resistance genesconjugative transfergene expressionsmicroplasticsultraviolet disinfection

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