QUANTIFYING - Word Related Documents




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642500.9865Freshwater plastisphere: a review on biodiversity, risks, and biodegradation potential with implications for the aquatic ecosystem health. The plastisphere, a unique microbial biofilm community colonizing plastic debris and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, has attracted increasing attention owing to its ecological and public health implications. This review consolidates current state of knowledge on freshwater plastisphere, focussing on its biodiversity, community assembly, and interactions with environmental factors. Current biomolecular approaches revealed a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa associated with plastic surfaces. Despite their ecological importance, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria and mobile genetic elements (i.e., antibiotic resistance genes) raises concerns for ecosystem and human health. However, the extent of these risks and their implications remain unclear. Advanced sequencing technologies are promising for elucidating the functions of plastisphere, particularly in plastic biodegradation processes. Overall, this review emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies to understand plastisphere dynamics in freshwater and to support effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on freshwater resources.202438699475
641710.9864Fate of environmental pollutants: A review. A review of the literature published in 2019 on topics associated with the fate of environmental pollutants is presented. Environmental pollutants covered include pharmaceuticals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, pesticides and veterinary medicines, personal care products and emerging pollutants, PFAS, microplastics, nanomaterials, heavy metals and radionuclides, nutrients, pathogens and indicator organisms, and oil and hydrocarbons. For each pollutant, the occurrence in the environment and/or their fate in engineered as well as natural systems in matrices including water, soil, wastewater, stormwater, runoff, and/or manure is presented based on the published literature. The review includes current developments in understanding pollutants in natural and engineered systems, and relevant physico-chemical processes, as well as biological processes.202032671926
641620.9864Antibiotic resistance in plastisphere. Microbial life on plastic debris, called plastisphere, has invoked special attention on aquatic ecosystems as emerging habitats for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). There is scarce information concerning how properties of plastics influence ARGs and ARB, the effect of biofilms on enrichment of ARGs and ARB, and, especially, the influence of plastic transformation on ARGs and ARB. Limited research has shown that microplastic (MP) surfaces influence proliferation of antibiotic resistance (AR), aged MPs exhibit increased toxicity due to more adsorption-desorption of AR, and MP transformation is correlated with disseminating AR. Prevention measures of AR include minimizing MP releasing into aquatic environments and sewage treatment plants. The future research should aim to identify the interface mechanisms of transformed MNPs and antibiotics alone, or mixed with other contaminants, property changes of MNPs, and associated toxicity evaluation.202540265125
643930.9864A review: Marine aquaculture impacts marine microbial communities. Marine aquaculture is key for protein production but disrupts marine ecosystems by releasing excess feed and pharmaceuticals, thus affecting marine microbes. Though vital, its environmental impact often remains overlooked. This article delves into mariculture's effects on marine microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and antibiotic-resistance genes in seawater and sediments. It highlights how different mariculture practices-open, pond, and cage culture-affect these microbial communities. Mariculture's release of nutrients, antibiotics, and heavy metals alters the microbial composition, diversity, and functions. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, a promising sustainable approach, is still developing and needs refinement. A deep understanding of mariculture's impact on microbial ecosystems is crucial to minimize pollution and foster sustainable practices, paving the way for the industry's sustainable advancement.202438919720
642740.9864Cyanobacterial blooms contribute to the diversity of antibiotic-resistance genes in aquatic ecosystems. Cyanobacterial blooms are a global ecological problem that directly threatens human health and crop safety. Cyanobacteria have toxic effects on aquatic microorganisms, which could drive the selection for resistance genes. The effect of cyanobacterial blooms on the dispersal and abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) of concern to human health remains poorly known. We herein investigated the effect of cyanobacterial blooms on ARG composition in Lake Taihu, China. The numbers and relative abundances of total ARGs increased obviously during a Planktothrix bloom. More pathogenic microorganisms were present during this bloom than during a Planktothrix bloom or during the non-bloom period. Microcosmic experiments using additional aquatic ecosystems (an urban river and Lake West) found that a coculture of Microcystis aeruginosa and Planktothrix agardhii increased the richness of the bacterial community, because its phycosphere provided a richer microniche for bacterial colonization and growth. Antibiotic-resistance bacteria were naturally in a rich position, successfully increasing the momentum for the emergence and spread of ARGs. These results demonstrate that cyanobacterial blooms are a crucial driver of ARG diffusion and enrichment in freshwater, thus providing a reference for the ecology and evolution of ARGs and ARBs and for better assessing and managing water quality.202033277584
644050.9863Fate and transport of biological microcontaminants bound to microplastics in the soil environment. Microplastics, fragmented plastic particles with a maximum dimension <5 mm, are an emerging contaminant of concern that can also serve as a vector of other chemical and biological contaminants. Compared to chemical contaminants, the potential of microplastics to adsorb biological microcontaminants such as antibiotic resistance genes, small interference RNAs, and pathogenic viruses is not well understood. Many current microplastic studies are based in the aquatic environment (freshwater, seawater, and wastewater), even though the terrestrial environment is considered both an important sink and source of microplastics. Microplastics co-occur with biological microcontaminants in many terrestrial environments including agricultural soils, where biosolids containing both contaminants are often applied as a soil amendment. Recent research suggests that microplastics in these environments can increase gene persistence and flow, which could have unintended downstream consequences for environmental microbiome health and resilience. Antibiotic resistance genes and silencing RNAs bound to microplastics, for example, have the potential to increase resistance and alter gene expression in environmental bacteria, respectively. This review evaluates the sources and pathways of microplastics and biological microcontaminants in the terrestrial environment as well as potential sorption mechanisms that can encourage long-range transport and persistence. Novel sources of biological microcontaminants are considered, and the role of microplastics in promoting the persistence and flow of biological microcontaminants evaluated. Finally, future research directions are suggested to increase understanding of the mechanisms that drive the fate and transport of microplastic-biological microcontaminant complexes in the terrestrial environment and better inform risk management.202337247742
650660.9862Mitigating antimicrobial resistance through effective hospital wastewater management in low- and middle-income countries. Hospital wastewater (HWW) is a significant environmental and public health threat, containing high levels of pollutants such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), antibiotics, disinfectants, and heavy metals. This threat is of particular concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where untreated effluents are often used for irrigating vegetables crops, leading to direct and indirect human exposure. Despite being a potential hotspot for the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), existing HWW treatment systems in LMICs primarily target conventional pollutants and lack effective standards for monitoring the removal of ARB and ARGs. Consequently, untreated or inadequately treated HWW continues to disseminate ARB and ARGs, exacerbating the risk of AMR proliferation. Addressing this requires targeted interventions, including cost-effective treatment solutions, robust AMR monitoring protocols, and policy-driven strategies tailored to LMICs. This perspective calls for a paradigm shift in HWW management in LMIC, emphasizing the broader implementation of onsite treatment systems, which are currently rare. Key recommendations include developing affordable and contextually adaptable technologies for eliminating ARB and ARGs and enforcing local regulations for AMR monitoring and control in wastewater. Addressing these challenges is essential for protecting public health, preventing the environmental spread of resistance, and contributing to a global effort to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics. Recommendations include integrating scalable onsite technologies, leveraging local knowledge, and implementing comprehensive AMR-focused regulatory frameworks.202439944563
653170.9862A comprehensive framework of health risk assessment for antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments: Status, progress, and perspectives. Antibiotic resistance (AR), driven by antibiotics as emerging pollutants, has become a critical global health threat, jeopardizing both environmental and human health. The persistence and spread of AR in aquatic ecosystems are governed by the intricate interplay between antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), which collectively influences its occurrence, transportation, and fate in aquatic ecosystems. However, most assessments focus primarily on antibiotics and ARGs, often relying on single-factor criteria while overlooking critical influence factors such as ARG forms, non-antibiotic chemicals, antibiotic pressure, and microbial competition. Furthermore, many fail to incorporate potential future risks, limiting their predictive accuracy and overall effectiveness in addressing AR in aquatic environments. To bridge these research gaps, we introduce a comprehensive health risk assessment framework that integrates the interactions among antibiotics, ARGs, and ARB. The proposed approach comprises four steps: 1. Determining the type of water body; 2. Performing model simulations; 3. Assessing antibiotics and ARGs; and 4. Evaluating ARB. Finally, a comprehensive risk index for AR is established, along with a corresponding hierarchical risk ranking system. Moreover, to demonstrate the practical application of the framework, an assessment of antibiotic resistance risk was conducted using a typical lake in Northeast China as a case study, indicating the efficacy of the proposed framework in quantifying the multidimensional health risk of AR. This framework not only provides a crucial foundation for dynamic health risk assessment, but also paving the way for more effective mitigation strategies to safeguard both aquatic ecosystems and human health in the future.202540914069
639780.9861Microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes as rising threats: Their interaction represents an urgent environmental concern. Microplastics (MPs) have been reported to be emerging contaminant of different environmental niches like air, soil, and water. When exposed to these environments, MPs interact with already existing antibiotics to create combined pollution that can harm organisms. MPs have garnered significant attention in academic circles due to their ability to adsorb antibiotics. This review article explores different dimensions of MPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the interplay between MPs, antibiotics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), emphasizing their interconnection with soil and water pollution. It also summarizes the mechanisms behind the interaction between antibiotics and MPs, detailing various physical and chemical interactions. Additionally, it outlines the pathways through which MPs and ARGs complexes spread, offering insights for future research and solutions to tackle compound pollution. The article concludes by providing targeted strategies to mitigate the environmental and public health risks posed by MP-associated ARG transmission, highlighting the need for integrated pollution control, advanced monitoring techniques, and stricter regulatory policies.202540756460
640390.9861Fate and transport modelling for evaluating antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments: Current knowledge and research priorities. Antibiotics have revolutionised medicine in the last century and enabled the prevention of bacterial infections that were previously deemed untreatable. However, in parallel, bacteria have increasingly developed resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms. When resistant bacteria find their way into terrestrial and aquatic environments, animal and human exposures increase, e.g., via polluted soil, food, and water, and health risks multiply. Understanding the fate and transport of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and the transfer mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments is critical for evaluating and mitigating the risks of resistant-induced infections. The conceptual understanding of sources and pathways of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs from society to the water environments is essential for setting the scene and developing an appropriate framework for modelling. Various factors and processes associated with hydrology, ecology, and climate change can significantly affect the fate and transport of ARB and ARGs in natural environments. This article reviews current knowledge, research gaps, and priorities for developing water quality models to assess the fate and transport of ARB and ARGs. The paper also provides inputs on future research needs, especially the need for new predictive models to guide risk assessment on AR transmission and spread in aquatic environments.202437788551
8553100.9860Unveiling the power of nanotechnology: a novel approach to eliminating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes from municipal effluent. The increasing global population and declining freshwater resources have heightened the urgency of ensuring safe and accessible water supplies.Query The persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in municipal effluents poses a significant public health threat, exacerbated by the widespread use of antibiotics and the inadequate removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment facilities. Conventional treatment methods often fail to eliminate these emerging pollutants, facilitating their entry into agricultural systems and natural water bodies, thereby accelerating the spread of antimicrobial resistance. To address these challenges, interdisciplinary strategies in water treatment are essential. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach due to its unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and high efficiency in detecting and removing biological and chemical contaminants. Various nanomaterials, including graphene-based structures, Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), noble metal nanoparticles (gold (Au) and silver (Ag)), silicon and chitosan-based nanomaterials, as well as titanium and Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials, demonstrate potent antimicrobial effects. Moreover, nanosensors and photocatalysts utilizing these nanomaterials enable precise detection and effective degradation of ARB and ARGs in wastewater. This review examines the mechanisms by which nanotechnology-based materials can mitigate the risks associated with antibiotic resistance in urban effluents, focusing on their applications in pathogen detection, pollutant removal, and wastewater treatment. By integrating nanotechnology into existing treatment frameworks, we can significantly enhance the efficiency of water purification processes, ultimately contributing to global water security and the protection of public health.202540512401
6790110.9860Overlooked dissemination risks of antimicrobial resistance through green tide proliferation. Green tides, particularly those induced by Enteromorpha, pose significant environmental challenges, exacerbated by climate change, coastal eutrophication, and other anthropogenic impacts. More concerningly, these blooms may influence the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within ecosystems. However, the manner in which Enteromorpha blooms affect the distribution and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains uncertain. This study investigated ARG profiles, dynamic composition, and associated health risks within the Enteromorpha phycosphere and surrounding seawater in typical bays (Jiaozhou, Aoshan, and Lingshan) in the South Yellow Sea. The Enteromorpha phycosphere exhibited significantly higher ARG abundance (p < 0.05) but lower diversity compared to the surrounding seawater. Source-tracking and metagenomic analyses revealed that the phycosphere was the main contributor to the resistome of surrounding seawater. Moreover, resistant pathogens, especially ESKAPE pathogens, with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential, were more abundant in the phycosphere than in the surrounding seawater. The phycosphere released high-risk ARGs to the surrounding seawater during Enteromorpha blooms, posing serious health and ecological AMR risks in marine environments. This study highlights the significant role of Enteromorpha blooms in ARG spread and associated risks, urging a reassessment of AMR burden from a public health perspective.202539488061
6474120.9860Impact of treated wastewater irrigation on antibiotic resistance in the soil microbiome. The reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation is a practical solution for overcoming water scarcity, especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world. However, there are several potential environmental and health-related risks associated with this practice. One such risk stems from the fact that TWW irrigation may increase antibiotic resistance (AR) levels in soil bacteria, potentially contributing to the global propagation of clinical AR. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents have been recognized as significant environmental AR reservoirs due to selective pressure generated by antibiotics and other compounds that are frequently detected in effluents. This review summarizes a myriad of recent studies that have assessed the impact of anthropogenic practices on AR in environmental bacterial communities, with specific emphasis on elucidating the potential effects of TWW irrigation on AR in the soil microbiome. Based on the current state of the art, we conclude that contradictory to freshwater environments where WWTP effluent influx tends to expand antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes levels, TWW irrigation does not seem to impact AR levels in the soil microbiome. Although this conclusion is a cause for cautious optimism regarding the future implementation of TWW irrigation, we conclude that further studies aimed at assessing the scope of horizontal gene transfer between effluent-associated ARB and soil bacteria need to be further conducted before ruling out the possible contribution of TWW irrigation to antibiotic-resistant reservoirs in irrigated soils.201323378260
6793130.9860Interplays between cyanobacterial blooms and antibiotic resistance genes. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs), which are a form of microbial dysbiosis in freshwater environments, are an emerging environmental and public health concern. Additionally, the freshwater environment serves as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pose a risk of transmission during microbial dysbiosis, such as cyanoHABs. However, the interactions between potential synergistic pollutants, cyanoHABs, and ARGs remain poorly understood. During cyanoHABs, Microcystis and high microcystin levels were dominant in all the nine regions of the river sampled. The resistome, mobilome, and microbiome were interrelated and linked to the physicochemical properties of freshwater. Planktothrix and Pseudanabaena competed with Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria during cyanoHABs. Forty two ARG carriers were identified, most of which belonged to Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria. ARG carriers showed a strong correlation with ARGs density, which decreased with the severity of cyanoHAB. Although ARGs decreased due to a reduction of ARG carriers during cyanoHABs, mobile gene elements (MGEs) and virulence factors (VFs) genes increased. We explored the relationship between cyanoHABs and ARGs for potential synergistic interaction. Our findings demonstrated that cyanobacteria compete with freshwater commensal bacteria such as Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria, which carry ARGs in freshwater, resulting in a reduction of ARGs levels. Moreover, cyanoHABs generate biotic and abiotic stress in the freshwater microbiome, which may lead to an increase in MGEs and VFs. Exploration of the intricate interplays between microbiome, resistome, mobilome, and pathobiome during cyanoHABs not only revealed that the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of microbial dysbiosis but also emphasizes the need to prioritize the prevention of microbial dysbiosis in the risk management of ARGs.202337897871
6418140.9860Antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic digestion: Unresolved challenges and potential solutions. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens public health, necessitating urgent efforts to mitigate the global impact of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Anaerobic digestion (AD), known for volatile solid reduction and energy generation, also presents a feasible approach for the removal of ARGs. This review encapsulates the existing understanding of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) during the AD process, highlighting unresolved challenges pertaining to their detection and quantification. The questions raised and discussed include: Do current ARGs detection methods meet qualitative and quantitative requirements? How can we conduct risk assessments of ARGs? What happens to ARGs when they come into co-exposure with other emerging pollutants? How can the application of internal standards bolster the reliability of the AD resistome study? What are the potential future research directions that could enhance ARG elimination? Investigating these subjects will assist in shaping more efficient management strategies that employ AD for effective ARG control.202539826759
6393150.9860A review of the impact of conductive materials on antibiotic resistance genes during the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and animal manure. The urgent need to reduce the environmental burden of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) has become even more apparent as concerted efforts are made globally to tackle the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Concerning levels of ARGs abound in sewage sludge and animal manure, and their inadequate attenuation during conventional anaerobic digestion (AD) compromises the safety of the digestate, a nutrient-rich by-product of AD commonly recycled to agricultural land for improvement of soil quality. Exogenous ARGs introduced into the natural environment via the land application of digestate can be transferred from innocuous environmental bacteria to clinically relevant bacteria by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and may eventually reach humans through food, water, and air. This review, therefore, discusses the prospects of using carbon- and iron-based conductive materials (CMs) as additives to mitigate the proliferation of ARGs during the AD of sewage sludge and animal manure. The review spotlights the core mechanisms underpinning the influence of CMs on the resistome profile, the steps to maximize ARG attenuation using CMs, and the current knowledge gaps. Data and information gathered indicate that CMs can profoundly reduce the abundance of ARGs in the digestate by easing selective pressure on ARGs, altering microbial community structure, and diminishing HGT.202336586329
6473160.9859The potential implications of reclaimed wastewater reuse for irrigation on the agricultural environment: The knowns and unknowns of the fate of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria and resistance genes - A review. The use of reclaimed wastewater (RWW) for the irrigation of crops may result in the continuous exposure of the agricultural environment to antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In recent years, certain evidence indicate that antibiotics and resistance genes may become disseminated in agricultural soils as a result of the amendment with manure and biosolids and irrigation with RWW. Antibiotic residues and other contaminants may undergo sorption/desorption and transformation processes (both biotic and abiotic), and have the potential to affect the soil microbiota. Antibiotics found in the soil pore water (bioavailable fraction) as a result of RWW irrigation may be taken up by crop plants, bioaccumulate within plant tissues and subsequently enter the food webs; potentially resulting in detrimental public health implications. It can be also hypothesized that ARGs can spread among soil and plant-associated bacteria, a fact that may have serious human health implications. The majority of studies dealing with these environmental and social challenges related with the use of RWW for irrigation were conducted under laboratory or using, somehow, controlled conditions. This critical review discusses the state of the art on the fate of antibiotics, ARB and ARGs in agricultural environment where RWW is applied for irrigation. The implications associated with the uptake of antibiotics by plants (uptake mechanisms) and the potential risks to public health are highlighted. Additionally, knowledge gaps as well as challenges and opportunities are addressed, with the aim of boosting future research towards an enhanced understanding of the fate and implications of these contaminants of emerging concern in the agricultural environment. These are key issues in a world where the increasing water scarcity and the continuous appeal of circular economy demand answers for a long-term safe use of RWW for irrigation.201728689129
6792170.9859Parity in bacterial communities and resistomes: Microplastic and natural organic particles in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Petroleum-based microplastic particles (MPs) are carriers of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments, influencing the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This research characterized MP and natural organic particle (NOP) bacterial communities and resistomes in the Tyrrhenian Sea, a region impacted by plastic pollution and climate change. MP and NOP bacterial communities were similar but different from the free-living planktonic communities. Likewise, MP and NOP ARG abundances were similar but different (higher) from the planktonic communities. MP and NOP metagenome-assembled genomes contained ARGs associated with mobile genetic elements and exhibited co-occurrence with metal resistance genes. Overall, these findings show that MPs and NOPs harbor potential pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria, which can aid in the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Further, petroleum-based MPs do not represent novel ecological niches for allochthonous bacteria; rather, they synergize with NOPs, collectively facilitating the spread of antimicrobial resistance in marine ecosystems.202438759465
6395180.9859Risk control of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) during sewage sludge treatment and disposal: A review. Sewage sludge is an important reservoir of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and the reclamation of sewage sludge potentially threats human health and environmental safety. Sludge treatment and disposal are expected to control these risks, and this review summarizes the fate and controlling efficiency of antibiotics, ARGs, and ARB in sludge involved in different processes, i.e., disintegration, anaerobic digestion, aerobic composting, drying, pyrolysis, constructed wetland, and land application. Additionally, the analysis and characterization methods of antibiotics, ARGs, and ARB in complicate sludge are reviewed, and the quantitative risk assessment approaches involved in land application are comprehensively discussed. This review benefits process optimization of sludge treatment and disposal, with regard to environmental risks control of antibiotics, ARGs, and ARB in sludge. Furthermore, current research limitations and gaps, e.g., the antibiotic resistance risk assessment in sludge-amended soil, are proposed to advance the future studies.202336933744
6526190.9859The Complex Interplay Between Antibiotic Resistance and Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Environment. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are important environmental contaminants. Nonetheless, what drives the evolution, spread, and transmission of antibiotic resistance dissemination is still poorly understood. The abundance of ARB and ARGs is often elevated in human-impacted areas, especially in environments receiving fecal wastes, or in the presence of complex mixtures of chemical contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Self-replication, mutation, horizontal gene transfer, and adaptation to different environmental conditions contribute to the persistence and proliferation of ARB in habitats under strong anthropogenic influence. Our review discusses the interplay between chemical contaminants and ARB and their respective genes, specifically in reference to co-occurrence, potential biostimulation, and selective pressure effects, and gives an overview of mitigation by existing man-made and natural barriers. Evidence and strategies to improve the assessment of human health risks due to environmental antibiotic resistance are also discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:637-652. © 2022 SETAC.202436582150