Characteristics, Performance and Microbial Response of Aerobic Granular Sludge for Treating Tetracycline Hypersaline Pharmaceutical Wastewater. - Related Documents




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759001.0000Characteristics, Performance and Microbial Response of Aerobic Granular Sludge for Treating Tetracycline Hypersaline Pharmaceutical Wastewater. Salt-tolerant aerobic granular sludge(AGS) was successfully cultivated under the dual stress of tetracycline and 2.5% salinity, resulting in an average particle size of 435.0 ± 0.5 and exhibiting a chemical oxygen demand(COD) removal rate exceeding 80%, as well as excellent sedimentation performance. The analysis of metagenomics technology revealed a significant pattern of succession in the development of AGS. The proportion of Oleiagrimonas, a type of salt-tolerant bacteria, exhibited a gradual increase and reached 38.07% after 42 days, which indicated that an AGS system based on moderate halophilic bacteria was successfully constructed. The expression levels of targeted genes were found to be reduced across the entire AGS process and formation, as evidenced by qPCR analysis. The presence of int1 (7.67 log10 gene copies g(-1) in 0 d sludge sample) enabled microbes to horizontally transfer ARGs genes along the AGS formation under the double pressure of TC and 2.5% salinity. These findings will enhance our understanding of ARG profiles and the development in AGS under tetracycline pressure, providing a foundation for guiding the use of AGS to treat hypersaline pharmaceutical wastewater.202438930555
784410.9998Insight into using a novel ultraviolet/peracetic acid combination disinfection process to simultaneously remove antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater: Mechanism and comparison with conventional processes. In this study, the simultaneous removal mechanism of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was investigated using the novel ultraviolet/peracetic acid (UV/PAA) combination disinfection process and conventional disinfection processes were also applied for comparison. The results showed that UV/PAA disinfection with a high UV dosage (UV/PAA-H) was most effective for the removal of tetracyclines, quinolones, macrolides and β-lactams; their average removal efficiencies ranged from 25.7% to 100%, while NaClO disinfection was effective for the removal of sulfonamides (∼81.6%). The majority of ARGs were well removed after the UV/PAA-H disinfection, while specific genes including tetB, tetC, ermA and bla(TEM) significantly increased after NaClO disinfection. In addition, β-lactam resistance genes (-35.9%) and macrolides resistance genes (-12.0%) remarkably augmented after UV/NaClO disinfection. The highly reactive oxidation species generated from UV/PAA process including hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and carbon-centered organic radicals (R-C•), were responsible for the elimination of antibiotics and ARGs. Correlation analysis showed that tetracycline, sulfonamide and macrolide antibiotics removal showed a positive correlation with the corresponding ARGs, and a low dose of antibiotic residues played an important role in the distribution of ARGs. Metagenomic sequencing analysis showed that UV/PAA disinfection could not only greatly decrease the abundance of resistant bacteria but also downregulate the expression of key functional genes involved in ARGs propagation and inhibit the signal transduction of the host bacteria, underlying that its removal mechanism was quite different from that of NaClO-based disinfection processes. Our study provides valuable information for understanding the simultaneous removal mechanism of antibiotics and ARGs in wastewater during the disinfection processes, especially for the novel UV/PAA combination process.202234982977
758520.9998Impacts of engineered nanoparticles and antibiotics on denitrification: Element cycling functional genes and antibiotic resistance genes. The wide presence of antibiotics and minerals warrants their combined effects on the denitrification in natural aquatic environment. Herein, we investigated the effects of two antibiotics, sulfamethazine (SMZ) and chlortetracycline (CTC), on the reduction of NO(3)(-)-N and accumulation of NO(2)(-)-N in the absence and presence of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) (Al(2)O(3), SiO(2), and geothite) using 16 S rRNA sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR. The results showed that the addition of antibiotics inhibited the reduction of NO(3)(-)-N by changing the bacterial community structure and reducing the abundance of denitrification genes, while engineered NPs promoted the denitrification by increasing the abundance of denitrification genes. In the binary systems, engineered NPs alleviated the inhibitory effect of antibiotics through enriching the denitrification genes and adsorbing antibiotics. Antibiotics and its combination with engineered NPs changed the composition of functional genes related to C, N, P, S metabolisms (p < 0.01). The addition of antibiotics and/or engineered NPs altered the bacterial community structure, which is dominated by the genera of Enterobacter (40.7-90.5%), Bacillus (4.9-58.5%), and Pseudomonas (0.21-12.7%). The significant relationship between denitrification, carbon metabolism genes, and antibiotic resistance genes revealed that the heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria may host the antibiotic resistance genes and denitrification genes simultaneously. The findings underscore the significance of engineered NPs in the toxicity assessment of pollutants, and provide a more realistic insight into the toxicity of antibiotics in the natural aquatic environment.202235738104
804230.9998Algal-bacterial consortium mediated system offers effective removal of nitrogen nutrients and antibiotic resistance genes. The sulfonamide antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) especially sul1 was identified as the dominant in eutrophic water. The performance of Chlorella vulgaris-B. licheniformis consortium toward sul1 removal, total nitrogen (TN) removal, and the mechanism of sul1 removal was investigated. The removal efficiency of exogenous ARGs plasmids carrying sul1 reached (97.2 ± 2.3)%. The TN removal rate reached (98.5 ± 1.2)%. The enhancements of carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and glycoproteins had significant influences on sul1 and TN removals, under the premise of normal growth of algae and bacteria. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results suggested that the absolute abundances of sul1 were low in algal-bacterial systems (0 gene copies/mL) compared with individual systems ((1 × 10(6) ± 15) gene copies/mL). The duplication of sul1 was inhibited in algal cells and bacterial cells. The algal-bacterial consortium seems to be a promising technology for wastewater treatment with a potential to overcome the eutrophication and ARGs challenges.202236049708
800540.9998Deciphering the fate of antibiotic resistance genes in norfloxacin wastewater treated by a bio-electro-Fenton system. The misuse of antibiotics has increased the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), considered a class of critical environmental contaminants due to their ubiquitous and persistent nature. Previous studies reported the potentiality of bio-electro-Fenton processes for antibiotic removal and ARGs control. However, the production and fate of ARGs in bio-electro-Fenton processes triggered by microbial fuel cells are rare. In this study, the norfloxacin (NFLX) average residual concentrations within two days were 2.02, 6.07 and 14.84 mg/L, and the average removal efficiency of NFLX was 79.8 %, 69.6 % and 62.9 % at the initial antibiotic concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 mg/L, respectively. The most prevalent resistance gene type in all processes was the fluoroquinolone antibiotic gene. Furthermore, Proteobacteria was the dominant ARG-carrying bacteria. Overall, this study can provide theoretical support for the efficient treatment of high antibiotics-contained wastewater by bio-electro-Fenton systems to better control ARGs from the perspective of ecological security.202236252757
719050.9998Dynamics of microbial community and tetracycline resistance genes in biological nutrient removal process. The occurrence of antibiotics in wastewater has become a serious concern due to the possible development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater treatment process. In order to understand the dynamics of microbial community and tetracycline resistance genes in biological nutrient removal (BNR) process, three lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated under the stress of tetracycline. Results indicated that microbial community structure was altered, and tetracycline efflux pump genes were enhanced over 150-day operation in the presence of trace tetracycline of 20 and 50 μg L(-1), respectively. Furthermore, when the initial tetracycline concentrations were increased to 2 and 5 mg L(-1), substantial enhancement of tetracycline resistance was observed, accompanied with a sharp shift in microbial community structure. In this study, horizontal gene transfer was found to be the main mechanism for the development of tetracycline resistance genes under the long-terms stress of trace tetracycline. About 90.34% of the observed variations in tetracycline resistance genes could be explained by the dynamics of potential hosts of tetracycline resistance genes and class 1 integron. It should be noticed that the functional bacteria (e.g. Nitrospira, Dechloromonas, Rhodobacter and Candidatus_Accumulibacter) responsible for nutrient removal were positively correlated with tetracycline resistance, which might promote the prevalence of tetracycline resistance during biological wastewater treatment. Consequently, this study provided in-depth insights into the occurrence and prevalence of tetracycline resistance genes and their microbial hosts in BNR process.201930849601
719460.9998Response of antibiotic resistance genes in constructed wetlands during treatment of livestock wastewater with different exogenous inducers: Antibiotic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This work aimed to study the behavior of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in constructed wetlands with different exogenous inducers additions (oxytetracycline and its resistant bacteria) by high-throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results indicated that constructed wetlands have the potential to reduce ARGs relative abundances in wastewater, and the total ARGs removal efficiency could exceed 60%. ARGs profile in the effluent differed from that in the influent, and that did not directly reflect the export of dominant ARGs in wetland biofilms. Meanwhile, the highest levels of detected numbers and relative abundances of ARGs were 43 and 3.35 × 10(-1) for control system and 44 and 6.40 × 10(-1) for treatment system, respectively, which meant that ARGs generation in wetlands were inevitable, and antibiotic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria from wastewater could indeed promote ARGs abundance in the system. Compared to the single roles of inducers, their synergistic role had a more significant influence on ARGs relative abundance.202032652450
719270.9998Sulfamethoxazole and COD increase abundance of sulfonamide resistance genes and change bacterial community structures within sequencing batch reactors. The abundant microbial community in biological treatment processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may potentially enhance the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes with the presence of antibiotics. A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor was designed to investigate response of sulfonamide resistance genes (sulI, sulII) and bacterial communities to various concentrations of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of wastewater. The SMX concentrations (0.001 mg/L, 0.1 mg/L and 10 mg/L) decreased with treatment time and higher SMX level was more difficult to remove. The presence of SMX also significantly reduced the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen, affecting the normal function of WWTPs. All three concentrations of SMX raised both sulI and sulII genes with higher concentrations exhibiting greater increases. The abundance of sul genes was positive correlated with treatment time and followed the second-order reaction kinetic model. Interestingly, these two genes have rather similar activity. SulI and sulII gene abundance also performed similar response to COD. Simpson index and Shannon-Weiner index did not show changes in the microbial community diversity. However, the 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing results showed the bacterial community structures varied during different stages. The results demonstrated that influent antibiotics into WWTPs may facilitate selection of ARGs and affect the wastewater conventional treatment as well as the bacteria community structures.201728211331
758980.9998Neglected risks of enhanced antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity in anaerobic digestion during transition from thermophilic to mesophilic. Minimization of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and potential pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria (PARB) during anaerobic digestion (AD) is significantly impacted by temperature. However, knowledge on how ARGs and PARB respond to temperature transition from thermophilic to mesophilic is limited. Here, we combined metagenomic-based with culture-based approaches and revealed the risks of antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity during transition from 55 °C to 35 °C for AD, with strategies of sharp (ST, one-step by 20 °C/d) and mild (MT, step-wise by 1 °C/d). Results indicated a lower decrease in methane production with MT (by 38.9%) than ST (by 88.8%). Phenotypic assays characterized a significant propagation of multi-resistant lactose-fermenting Enterobacteriaceae and indicator pathogens after both transitions, especially via ST. Further genomic evidence indicated a significant increase of ARGs (29.4-fold), virulence factor genes (1.8-fold) and PARB (65.3-fold) after ST, while slight enrichment via MT. Bacterial succession and enhanced horizontal transfer mediated by mobile genetic elements promoted ARG propagation in AD during transition, which was synchronously exacerbated through horizontal transfer mechanisms mediated by cellular physiological responses (oxidative stress, membrane permeability, bacterial conjugation and transformation) and co-selection mechanisms of biomethanation metabolic functions (acidogenesis and acetogenesis). This study reveals temperature-dependent resistome and pathogenicity development in AD, facilitating microbial risk control.202438878435
808690.9998Biofilm enhanced the mitigations of antibiotics and resistome in sulfadiazine and trimethoprim co-contaminated soils. Reducing antibiotic levels in soil ecosystems is vital to curb the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and mitigate global health threats. However, gaps persist in understanding how antibiotic resistome can be suppressed during antibiotic degradation. Herein, we investigate the efficacy of a biochar biofilm incorporating antibiotics-degrading bacterial strain (Arthrobacter sp. D2) to mitigate antibiotic resistome in non-manured and manure-amended soils with sulfadiazine (SDZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) contamination. Results show that biofilm enhanced SDZ degradation by 83.0% within three days and increased TMP attenuation by 55.4% over 60 days in non-manured soils. In the non-manured black soil, the relative abundance of ARGs increased initially after biofilm inoculation. However, by day 30, it decreased by 20.5% compared to the controls. Moreover, after 7 days, biofilm reduced TMP by 38.5% in manured soils and decreased the total ARG abundance by 19.0%. Thus, while SDZ degradation did not increase sulfonamide resistance genes, TMP dissipation led to a proliferation of insertion sequences and related TMP resistance genes. This study underscores the importance of antibiotic degradation in reducing related ARGs while cautioning against the potential proliferation and various ARGs transfer by resistant microorganisms.202439255667
7582100.9998Anaerobic fermentation for hydrogen production and tetracycline degradation: Biodegradation mechanism and microbial community succession. The misuse and continues discharge of antibiotics can cause serious pollution, which is urgent to take steps to remit the environment pollution. In this study, anaerobic bacteria isolated from the aeration tank of a local sewage treatment plant were employed to investigate hydrogen production and tetracycline (TC) degradation during anaerobic fermentation. Results indicate that low concentrations of TC enhanced hydrogen production, increasing from 366 mL to a maximum of 480 mL. This increase is attributed to stimulated hydrolysis and acidogenesis, coupled with significant inhibition of homoacetogenesis. Furthermore, the removal of TC, facilitated by adsorption and biodegradation, exceeded 90 %. During the fermentation process, twenty-one by-products were identified, leading to the proposal of four potential degradation pathways. Analysis of the microbial community revealed shifts in diversity and a decrease in the abundance of hydrogen-producing bacteria, whereas bacteria harboring tetracycline resistance genes became more prevalent. This study provides a possibility to treat tetracycline-contaminated wastewater and to produce clean energy simultaneously by anaerobic fermentation.202439168318
8084110.9998Metagenomic insights into effects of carbon/nitrogen ratio on microbial community and antibiotic resistance in moving bed biofilm reactor. This study investigated the effects of carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio on microbial community in moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) using metagenomic analysis, and the dynamic changes of relevant antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were also analyzed. The results showed that under low C/N ratio, MBBR exhibited average removal rates of 98.41 % for ammonia nitrogen and 75.79 % for total nitrogen. Metagenomic analysis showed low C/N ratio altered the structure of biofilm and water microbiota, resulting in the detachment of bacteria such as Actinobacteria from biofilm into water. Furthermore, sulfamethazine (SMZ)-resistant bacteria and related ARGs were released into water under low C/N ratio, which lead to the increase of SMZ resistance rate to 90%. Moreover, most dominant genera are potential hosts for both nitrogen cycle related genes and ARGs. Specifically, Nitrosomonas that carried gene sul2 might be released from biofilm into water. These findings implied the risks of antibiotic resistance dissemination in MBBR under low C/N ratio.202438901747
7584120.9998Responses of microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes to co-existence of chloramphenicol and salinity. In recent years, the risk from environmental pollution caused by chloramphenicol (CAP) has emerged as a serious concern worldwide, especially for the co-selection of antibiotic resistance microorganisms simultaneously exposed to CAP and salts. In this study, the multistage contact oxidation reactor (MCOR) was employed for the first time to treat the CAP wastewater under the co-existence of CAP (10-80 mg/L) and salinity (0-30 g/L NaCl). The CAP removal efficiency reached 91.7% under the co-existence of 30 mg/L CAP and 10 g/L NaCl in the influent, but it fluctuated around 60% with the increase of CAP concentration and salinity. Trichococcus and Lactococcus were the major contributors to the CAP and salinity shock loads. Furthermore, the elevated CAP and salinity selection pressures inhibited the spread of CAP efflux pump genes, including cmlA, tetC, and floR, and significantly affected the composition and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). As the potential hosts of CAP resistance genes, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, and unclassified_d_Bacteria developed resistance against high osmotic pressure and antibiotic environment using the efflux pump mechanism. The results also revealed that shifting of potential host bacteria significantly contributed to the change in ARGs. Overall, the co-existence of CAP and salinity promoted the enrichment of core genera Trichococcus and Lactococcus; however, they inhibited the proliferation of ARGs. KEY POINTS: • Trichococcus and Lactococcus were the core bacteria related to CAP biodegradation • Co-existence of CAP and salinity inhibited proliferation of cmlA, tetC, and floR • The microorganism resisted the CAP using the efflux pump mechanism.202236205764
7193130.9998Plasmid-mediated transfer of antibiotic resistance genes and biofilm formation in a simulated drinking water distribution system under chlorine pressure. The effects of disinfectants and plasmid-based antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on the growth of microorganisms and the plasmid-mediated transfer of ARGs in the water and biofilm of the drinking water distribution system under simulated conditions were explored. The heterotrophic plate count of the water in reactors with 0.1 mg/L NaClO and NH(2)Cl was higher than in the control groups. There was no similar phenomenon in biofilm. In the water of reactors containing NaClO, the aphA and bla genes were lower than in the antibiotic resistant bacteria group, while both genes were higher in the water of reactors with NH(2)Cl than in the control group. Chloramine may promote the transfer of ARGs in the water phase. Both genes in the biofilm of the reactors containing chlorine were lower than the control group. Correlation analysis between ARGs and water quality parameters revealed that the copy numbers of the aphA gene were significantly positively correlated with the copy numbers of the bla gene in water and significantly negatively correlated in biofilm (p < 0.05). The results of the sequencing assay showed that bacteria in the biofilm, in the presence of disinfectant, were primarily Gram-negative. 1.0 mg/L chlorine decreased the diversity of the community in the biofilm. The relative abundance of some bacteria that may undergo transfer increased in the biofilm of the reactor containing 0.1 mg/L chlorine.202539617560
7195140.9998Insight into effect of high-level cephalexin on fate and driver mechanism of antibiotics resistance genes in antibiotic wastewater treatment system. In the study, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were examined in wastewater and sludge samples to explore the effect of cephalexin (CFX) on the spreading and removal of ARGs in the Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactor treating antibiotics wastewater. The result showed that the addition of CFX in the wastewater affected the removal amount of β-lactam ARGs and other types ARGs. Besides, the addition of CFX in the wastewater had no obviously effect on total concentration of targeted ARGs in the sludge, but it was related to the accumulation of some typical ARGs. Based on gene cassette array libraries analysis, the diversity of gene cassettes carried by intI1 gene was increased by the addition of CFX in the wastewater. Furthermore, the co-occurrence patterns between ARGs and bacterial genus were also investigated. The results showed the CFX in the wastewater not only affected the number of potential host bacteria of ARGs, but also changed the types of potential host bacteria of ARGs. The correlation analysis of ARG in influent, effluent and sludge showed that, for blaCTX-M, sul2, qnrS and AmpC genes, their removal amount in EGSB reactor treating antibiotic wastewater system might be enhanced by reducing their concentration in the sludge.202032505047
7580150.9998Inactivation of antibiotic resistance genes in antibiotic fermentation residues by ionizing radiation: Exploring the development of recycling economy in antibiotic pharmaceutical factory. Antibiotic fermentation residues are a kind of hazardous waste due to the existence of the residual antibiotics and the potential risk to generate antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs). The appropriate treatment and disposal of antibiotic fermentation residues is imperative. In this study ionizing radiation was applied to treat the antibiotic fermentation residues and the removal efficiencies of antibiotic (erythromycin), ARGs (ermB and ermF) and antibiotic resistant bacteria were investigated. The experimental results showed that erythromycin A content in antibiotic fermentation residues decreased by 86% when the dose was 10 kGy. Moreover, the abundance of ermB and ermF reduced by 89% and 98% at 10 kGy irradiation. Over 99% of total bacteria was removed and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) were less than detection limit after 10 kGy irradiation. Ionizing radiation process is a promising technology for simultaneously removing antibiotic and inactivating ARGs and ARB in antibiotic fermentation residues. Moreover, the irradiation at 10 kGy had no significant influence on the macromolecules organic matters (protein, polysaccharides) of the antibiotic fermentation residues, suggesting that the treated fermentative residues can be used as fertilizer, which could provide the technical support for the development of recycling economy in antibiotic pharmaceutical factory.201930691886
7586160.9998Integrated metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses of ultraviolet disinfection effects on antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial communities during wastewater treatment. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is now widely implemented in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) worldwide, but its effect on antibiotic resistome of the surviving bacteria remains unclear. In this study, we employed high-throughput sequencing-based metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches to comprehensively elucidate the effects of UV disinfection on the shifts of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on both DNA and mRNA levels in one WWTP. Metagenomic analyses revealed an insignificant change in the bacterial community after UV disinfection, while metatranscriptomic analyses showed that UV disinfection significantly changed the abundance of 13.79% of phyla and 10.32% of genera. In total, 38 ARG-like open reading frames (ORFs) and 327 ARG-like transcripts were identified in the DNA and RNA samples, respectively. The relative abundances of the total ARGs, each ARG type, and each ARG subtype also varied after UV disinfection. Additionally, UV disinfection significantly reduced the expression of total ARGs from 49.40 transcripts per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads (TPM) to 47.62 TPM, and significantly changed the expression of 10.75% of ARG subtypes in wastewater (p < 0.05). Notably, the significant increase in the expression and obvious increase in the relative abundance of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance genes revealed that UV disinfection increases the potential health risk of MLSB resistance genes in wastewater. Moreover, potential host analyses of ARGs revealed the different preferences of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) to ARGs. This study may shed new light on the underlying mechanism of the UV disinfection effect on antibiotic resistance.202133278015
7583170.9998Insights into the combined effect of ofloxacin and humic substances on sewage sludge anaerobic digestion. Humic substances (HS) and antibiotics are present simultaneously in various environments. However, the influence path and consequences of HS on antibiotics behaviors in complex anaerobic microbial systems are rarely known, hindering the understanding and control of antibiotics risks. This study for the first time investigated the combined effects of ofloxacin (OFL) and HS in sewage sludge anaerobic digestion system. Experimental results showed that OFL alone reduced the cumulative methane production and the maximum methane production rate by 14.6 % and 33.5 %, respectively. The methane production curves showed step by step adaption, which might be related with the increase of antibiotics resistance genes and their potential hosts. The coexistence of low concentration (6 % of sludge volatile solid) HS could alleviate the inhibition of OFL on hydrolysis-related bacteria and genes to a certain extent, thereby enhanced the methane production by 4.8 %. However, the coexistence of high concentration (12-24 % of sludge volatile solid) HS intensified the inhibition on hydrolysis-related bacteria and genes, and had more potential to combine with organic matters to prevent sludge solubilization, macromolecular organics hydrolysis and OFL degradation, thereby further decreasing the methane production by 7.6-15.9 %. Besides, the coexistence of OFL and high concentration HS increased the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity risks of digested sludge, by enhancing the residual level of verified pathogens, antibiotics resistance genes and virulence factor genes. This study provides new insights into the environmental risks of combined antibiotics and HS pollution, and offers a basis for strengthening the safe treatment and disposal of sewage sludge.202540752562
7191180.9998The impact of antimicrobials on the efficiency of methane fermentation of sewage sludge, changes in microbial biodiversity and the spread of antibiotic resistance. The study was designed to simultaneously evaluate the influence of high doses (512-1024 µg/g) the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials on the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge, qualitative and quantitative changes in microbial consortia responsible for the fermentation process, the presence of methanogenic microorganisms, and the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The efficiency of antibiotic degradation during anaerobic treatment was also determined. Metronidazole, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin exerted the greatest effect on methane fermentation by decreasing its efficiency. Metronidazole, amoxicillin, cefuroxime and sulfamethoxazole were degraded in 100%, whereas ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid were least susceptible to degradation. The most extensive changes in the structure of digestate microbiota were observed in sewage sludge exposed to metronidazole, where a decrease in the percentage of bacteria of the phylum Bacteroidetes led to an increase in the proportions of bacteria of the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The results of the analysis examining changes in the concentration of the functional methanogen gene (mcrA) did not reflect the actual efficiency of methane fermentation. In sewage sludge exposed to antimicrobials, a significant increase was noted in the concentrations of β-lactam, tetracycline and fluoroquinolone ARGs and integrase genes, but selective pressure was not specific to the corresponding ARGs.202133831706
7630190.9997Coexistence of silver ion and tetracycline at environmentally relevant concentrations greatly enhanced antibiotic resistance gene development in activated sludge bioreactor. Antibiotic resistance has become a global public health problem. Recently, various environmental pollutants have been reported to induce the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. However, the impact of multiple pollutants (e.g., heavy metals and antibiotics), which more frequently occur in practical environments, is poorly understood. Herein, one widely distributed heavy metal (Ag(+)) and one frequently detected antibiotic (tetracycline) were chosen to investigate their coexisting effect on the proliferation of antibiotic resistance in the activated sludge system. Results show that the co-occurrence of Ag(+) and tetracycline at environmentally relevant concentrations exhibited no distinct inhibition in reactor performances. However, they inhibited the respiratory activity by 42%, destroyed the membrane structure by 218%, and increased membrane permeability by 29% compared with the blank control bioreactor. Moreover, the relative abundances of target antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) (e.g., tetA, bla(TEM-1), and sulII) in effluent after exposure of coexisting Ag(+) and tetracycline were increased by 92-1983% compared with those in control reactor, which were 1.1-4.3 folds higher than the sum of the sole ones. These were possibly attributed to the enrichments of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The results would illumine the coexisting effect of heavy metals and antibiotics on the dissemination of ARGs in activated sludge system.202234482077