A review of antibiotic accumulation, degradation and ecological risk in typical mangrove ecosystems

Mangrove ecosystems, characterized by unique biogeochemical conditions, act as critical zones for intercepting and processing antibiotic contaminants. This study synthesizes existing research using bibliometric and meta-analysis to elucidate the mechanisms of antibiotic accumulation, degradation, and associated ecological risks in mangroves. A central finding from the meta-analysis is the lack of a significant difference in antibiotic concentrations between mangrove forests and adjacent intertidal mudflats, highlighting the complex balance between competing accumulation and degradation processes. The major points are the following: 1) Sediment properties (e.g., texture, organic matter) are primary drivers of antibiotic accumulation; 2) Specific bacterial taxa (e.g., Proteobacteria, Achromobacter) of mangroves mediate antibiotic biodegradation through enzymatic and co-metabolic pathways. The degradation efficiency is further modulated by environmental factors, including salinity, temperature, oxygen availability, moisture, and the presence of co-contaminants such as heavy metals and microplastics; 3) Antibiotic contamination disrupts essential ecological functions (e.g., carbon and nitrogen cycling, water purification) and promotes the propagation of ARGs within mangrove ecosystems, thereby triggering cascading ecological risks within mangrove ecosystems. This review underscores the need for stricter pollution control and calls for research on the combined effects of multiple contaminants to guide mangrove conservation and sustainable management.