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Microplastic diversity increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil

Author

Listed:
  • Yi-Fei Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun)

  • Yan-Jie Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Konstanz)

  • Yan-Mei Fu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jia-Yang Xu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tian-Lun Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hui-Ling Cui

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Min Qiao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Matthias C. Rillig

    (Freie Universität Berlin
    Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB))

  • Yong-Guan Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Dong Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun)

Abstract

The impact of microplastics on antibiotic resistance has attracted widespread attention. However, previous studies primarily focused on the effects of individual microplastics. In reality, diverse microplastic types accumulate in soil, and it remains less well studied whether microplastic diversity (i.e., variations in color, shape or polymer type) can be an important driver of increased antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundance. Here, we employed microcosm studies to investigate the effects of microplastic diversity on soil ARG dynamics through metagenomic analysis. Additionally, we evaluated the associated potential health risks by profiling virulence factor genes (VFGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Our findings reveal that as microplastic diversity increases, there is a corresponding rise in the abundance of soil ARGs, VFGs and MGEs. We further identified microbial adaptive strategies involving genes (changed genetic diversity), community (increased specific microbes), and functions (enriched metabolic pathways) that correlate with increased ARG abundance and may thus contribute to ARG dissemination. Additional global change factors, including fungicide application and plant diversity reduction, also contributed to elevated ARG abundance. Our findings suggest that, in addition to considering contamination levels, it is crucial to monitor microplastic diversity in ecosystems due to their potential role in driving the dissemination of antibiotic resistance through multiple pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi-Fei Wang & Yan-Jie Liu & Yan-Mei Fu & Jia-Yang Xu & Tian-Lun Zhang & Hui-Ling Cui & Min Qiao & Matthias C. Rillig & Yong-Guan Zhu & Dong Zhu, 2024. "Microplastic diversity increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-54237-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54237-7
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