Microbiome-Informed Pathways Linking Nature-Based Treatment Systems to Antimicrobial Resistance Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• One Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health threat.
• Constructed wetlands are increasingly employed as nature-based solutions (NbS) for aquatic contaminant removal.
• The impact of these NbS on AMR dynamics is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize evidence on the role of aquatic rhizospheres in constructed wetlands concerning AMR.
• To explore how environmental factors and microbial interactions influence resistance in these systems.
• To propose a framework for interpreting and managing AMR risks in NbS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing existing research on AMR in constructed wetlands and aquatic rhizospheres.
• Analysis of how contaminant mixtures, redox gradients, and microbial communities affect resistance.
• Development of a conceptual framework integrating microbiome insights for AMR risk assessment.

Main Results:

• Constructed wetlands can act as reactors influencing AMR, with outcomes ranging from attenuation to dissemination.
• Contaminant removal does not guarantee reduced AMR risk, as selective pressures can persist in biofilms and sediments.
• Wetland performance regarding AMR depends critically on design, operation, and ecological context.

Conclusions:

• Wetlands are conditional solutions for contaminant removal, requiring explicit consideration of AMR.
• A microbiome-informed approach is crucial for understanding and mitigating AMR risks in NbS.
• Future strategies must integrate One Health principles and go beyond traditional chemical monitoring.