Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2025
08:21
Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies
Published on: July 27, 2022
4.1K
Microplastics accelerate nitrification, shape the microbial community, and alter antibiotic resistance during the
Yang Wang1, Peikun Yuan1, Pin Gao2
1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 31, 2024
Summary
Microplastics (MPs) impact wastewater nitrification by boosting microbial activity and enriching antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Biodegradable polylactic acid MPs particularly increased ARGs and pathogenic bacteria, posing environmental concerns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prevalent emerging pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
- The co-occurrence of MPs and ARGs raises concerns about their combined impact on WWTP processes and public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different types of MPs (polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polylactic acid) on nitrification performance.
- To analyze the influence of MPs on microbial communities and ARG enrichment during nitrification.
- To identify potential microbial hosts for ARGs in nitrifying sludge and MP biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study exposing nitrifying sludge to various MPs (PE, PVC, PLA).
- Measurement of nitrification rates (ammonia oxidation, nitrate production).
- Analysis of microbial community composition using molecular techniques.
- Quantification of ARGs and integrase genes (intI1) via qPCR.
- Variance decomposition and network analysis to assess relationships between MPs, microbial communities, and ARGs.
Main Results:
- MPs enhanced nitrification rates, increasing specific ammonia oxidation and nitrate production rates.
- MPs, particularly PLA, selectively enriched ARGs and the intI1 gene in nitrifying sludge and biofilms.
- PLA-MPs significantly increased intI1 abundance (51.6%) compared to PE (23.9%) and PVC (21.4%).
- Microbial community analysis revealed enrichment of Nitrospira and Nitrosomonas, with Nitrosomonas and pathogenic bacteria identified as potential ARG hosts.
Conclusions:
- MPs can influence nitrification efficiency and microbial community structure in WWTPs.
- MPs act as vectors for ARGs, with biodegradable PLA showing a pronounced effect on ARG enrichment.
- The findings highlight the need to consider the environmental implications of biodegradable MPs, especially regarding ARG dissemination and potential pathogenicity.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance geneMicrobial communityMicrobial nitrificationMicroplasticMicroplastic biofilmMore Related Videos
08:58Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
6.3K
05:31Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
16.0K
Related Concept Videos
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
1
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
1
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
01:33Bacterial Transformation
55.1K
In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
55.1K
01:15Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
1
Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
1
00:57Antibiotic Selection
52.2K
Overview
52.2K
01:29Biofilms
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...