scholarly journals Industrialization as a source of heavy metals and antibiotics which can enhance the antibiotic resistance in wastewater, sewage sludge and river water

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252691
Author(s):  
Jakub Hubeny ◽  
Monika Harnisz ◽  
Ewa Korzeniewska ◽  
Martyna Buta ◽  
Wiktor Zieliński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
River Water ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
The Impact

The spread of antibiotic resistance is closely related with selective pressure in the environment. Wastewater from industrialized regions is characterized by higher concentrations of these pollutants than sewage from less industrialized areas. The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of contaminants such as antibiotics and heavy metals (HMs), and to evaluate their impact on the spread of genes encoding resistance to antimicrobial drugs in samples of wastewater, sewage sludge and river water in two regions with different levels of industrialization. The factors exerting selective pressure, which significantly contributed to the occurrence of the examined antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), were identified. The concentrations of selected gene copy numbers conferring resistance to four groups of antibiotics as well as class 1 and 2 integron-integrase genes were determined in the analyzed samples. The concentrations of six HMs and antibiotics corresponding to genes mediated resistance from 3 classes were determined. Based on network analysis, only some of the analyzed antibiotics correlated with ARGs, while HM levels were correlated with ARG concentrations, which can confirm the important role of HMs in promoting drug resistance. The samples from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located an industrialized region were characterized by higher HM contamination and a higher number of significant correlations between the analyzed variables than the samples collected from a WWTP located in a less industrialized region. These results indicated that treated wastewater released into the natural environment can pose a continuous threat to human health by transferring ARGs, antibiotics and HMs to the environment. These findings shed light on the impact of industrialization on antibiotic resistance dissemination.

scholarly journals Antibiotic Resistance Characteristics of Environmental Bacteria from an Oxytetracycline Production Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Receiving River

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 3444-3451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Li ◽  
Tao Yu ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Min Yang ◽  
Zhen Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
River Water ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Tetracycline Resistance ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Receiving River

ABSTRACT We characterized the bacterial populations in surface water receiving effluent from an oxytetracycline (OTC) production plant. Additional sampling sites included the receiving river water 5 km upstream and 20 km downstream from the discharge point. High levels of OTC were found in the wastewater (WW), and the antibiotic was still detectable in river water downstream (RWD), with undetectable levels in river water upstream (RWU). A total of 341 bacterial strains were isolated using nonselective media, with the majority being identified as Gammaproteobacteria. The MICs were determined for 10 antibiotics representing seven different classes of antibiotics, and the corresponding values were significantly higher for the WW and RWD isolates than for the RWU isolates. Almost all bacteria (97%) from the WW and RWD samples demonstrated multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes, while in RWU samples, these were less frequent (28%). The WW and RWD isolates were analyzed for the presence of 23 tetracycline (tet) resistance genes. The majority of isolates (94.2% and 95.4% in WW and RWD, respectively) harbored the corresponding genes, with tet(A) being the most common (67.0%), followed by tet(W), tet(C), tet(J), tet(L), tet(D), tet(Y), and tet(K) (in the range between 21.0% and 40.6%). Class I integrons were detected in the majority of WW and RWD isolates (97.4% and 86.2%, respectively) but were not associated with the tet genes. We hypothesize that the strong selective pressure imposed by a high concentration of OTC contributes to the wide dissemination of tetracycline resistance genes and other antibiotic resistance genes, possibly through mobile genetic elements.

scholarly journals Antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements removal from treated wastewater by sewage-sludge biochar and iron-oxide coated sand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Calderón-Franco ◽  
Apoorva Seeram ◽  
Gertjan Medema ◽  
Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht ◽  
David G. Weissbrodt
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Iron Oxide ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Dna Adsorption ◽  
Coated Sand

AbstractDisinfection of treated wastewater in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is used to minimize emission of coliforms, pathogens, and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment. However, the fate of free-floating extracellular DNA (eDNA) that do carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) is overlooked. Water technologies are central to urban and industrial ecology for sanitation and resource recovery. Biochar produced by pyrolysis of sewage sludge and iron-oxide-coated sands recovered as by-product of drinking water treatment were tested as adsorbents to remove ARGs and MGEs from WWTP effluent. DNA adsorption properties and materials applicability were studied in batch and up-flow column systems at bench scale. Breakthrough curves were measured with ultrapure water and treated wastewater at initial DNA concentrations of 0.1-0.5 mg mL-1 and flow rates of 0.1-0.5 mL min-1. Batch tests with treated wastewater indicated that the adsorption profiles of biochar and iron-oxide coated sand followed a Freundlich isotherm, suggesting a multilayer adsorption of nucleic acids. Sewage-sludge biochar exhibited higher DNA adsorption capacity (1 mg g-1) and longer saturation breakthrough times (4 to 10 times) than iron-oxide coated sand (0.2 mg g-1). The removal of a set of representative ARGs and MGEs was measured by qPCR comparing the inlet and outlet of the plug-flow column fed with treated wastewater. ARGs and MGEs present as free-floating eDNA were adsorbed by sewage-sludge biochar at 85% and iron-oxide coated sand at 54%. From the environmental DNA consisting of the free-floating extracellular DNA plus the intracellular DNA of the cells present in the effluent water, 97% (sewage-sludge biochar) and 66% (iron-oxide coated sand) of the tested genes present were removed. Sewage-sludge biochar displayed interesting properties to minimize the spread of antimicrobial resistances to the aquatic environment while strengthening the role of WWTPs as resource recovery factories.Graphical abstractHighlightsSewage-sludge biochar and iron oxide coated sands were tested to adsorb DNA and cells.Biochar removed 97% of genes tested from environmental DNA of unfiltered effluent.85% of ARGs and MGEs of free-floating extracellular DNA were retained by biochar.Biochar is a WWTP by-product that can be re-used for public health sanitation.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Fluoroquinolones and Sulfonamides Resistance Genes in Wastewater and Sludge at Different Stages of Wastewater Treatment: A Preliminary Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 5816
Author(s):  
Damian Rolbiecki ◽  
Monika Harnisz ◽  
Ewa Korzeniewska ◽  
Łukasz Jałowiecki ◽  
Grażyna Płaza
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Wastewater Samples

This study identified differences in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) processing different proportions of hospital and municipal wastewater as well as various types of industrial wastewater. The influence of treated effluents discharged from WWTPs on the receiving water bodies (rivers) was examined. Genomic DNA was isolated from environmental samples (river water, wastewater and sewage sludge). The presence of genes encoding resistance to sulfonamides (sul1, sul2) and fluoroquinolones (qepA, aac(6′)-Ib-cr) was determined by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The effect of the sampling season (summer – June, fall – November) was analyzed. Treated wastewater and sewage sludge were significant reservoirs of antibiotic resistance and contained all of the examined ARGs. All wastewater samples contained sul1 and aac(6′)-lb-cr genes, while the qepA and sul2 genes occurred less frequently. These observations suggest that the prevalence of ARGs is determined by the type of processed wastewater. The Warmia and Mazury WWTP was characterized by higher levels of the sul2 gene, which could be attributed to the fact that this WWTP processes agricultural sewage containing animal waste. However, hospital wastewater appears to be the main source of the sul1 gene. The results of this study indicate that WWTPs are significant sources of ARGs, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance in rivers receiving processed wastewater.

scholarly journals Effect of Urban Wastewater Discharge on the Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Two Italian Rivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Pantanella ◽  
Itziar Lekunberri ◽  
Antonella Gagliardi ◽  
Giuseppe Venuto ◽  
Alexandre Sànchez-Melsió ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Absolute Concentrations ◽  
The Impact

Background: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are microbial factories aimed to reduce the amount of nutrients and pathogenic microorganisms in the treated wastewater before its discharge into the environment. We studied the impact of urban WWTP effluents on the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (AR-E. coli) in the last stretch of two rivers (Arrone and Tiber) in Central Italy that differ in size and flow volume. Methods: Water samples were collected in three seasons upstream and downstream of the WWTP, at the WWTP outlet, and at sea sites near the river mouth, and analyzed for the abundance of ARGs by qPCR and AR-E. coli using cultivation followed by disk diffusion assays. Results: For all studied genes (16S rRNA, intI1, sul1, ermB, blaTEM, tetW and qnrS), absolute concentrations were significantly higher in the Tiber than in the Arrone at all sampling sites, despite their collection date, but the prevalence of target ARGs within bacterial communities in both rivers was similar. The absolute concentrations of most ARGs were also generally higher in the WWTP effluent with median levels between log 4 and log 6 copies per ml but did not show differences along the studied stretches of rivers. Statistically significant site effect was found for E. coli phenotypic resistance to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin in the Arrone but not in the Tiber. Conclusions: In both rivers, diffuse or point pollution sources other than the studied WWTP effluents may account for the observed resistance pattern, although the Arrone appears as more sensitive to the wastewater impact considering its lower flow volume.

scholarly journals Study on the Characteristics of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Different Biological Treatment Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Hongwei Sun
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Oxidation Ditch ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Environmental Media ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
The Impact

Due to the irrational use of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes are widely present in the environmental media of our lives. Antibiotics have potential environmental and public health risks, and they bring harm to the environment in which we live. Sewage treatment plants are antibiotic resistance genes’ repository and important process for removing antibiotic resistance genes. The different processes they use in sewage treatment plants, the effect of removing antibiotic resistance genes is also different. In order to discuss the impact of different processes on the removal of antibiotic resistance genes, we selected three wastewater treatment plant samples with different treatment processes for testing, and used the fluorescence quantitative analysis technology of 16SrRNA gene to study the abundance, distribution and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in different treatment processes. The results showed that the AAO process, the oxidation ditch process, and the CASS process all have high removal effect on antibiotic resistance genes, they all can reduce the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes, and the oxidation ditch process is the best process of the three treatment processes.

scholarly journals Analysis of Treated Wastewater Produced from Al-Lajoun Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jordan

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (s1) ◽  
pp. S287-S303
Author(s):  
Waleed Manasreh ◽  
Atef S. Alzaydien ◽  
Malahmeh .M
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
The Impact

Assessment of treated wastewater produced from Al-Lajoun collection tanks of the wastewater treatment plant in Karak province was carried out in term of physical properties, its major ionic composition, heavy metals and general organic content, for both wastewater influent and effluent. Sampling was done in two periods during (2005-2006) summer season and during winter season to detect the impact of climate on treated wastewater quality. Soil samples were collected from Al-Lajoun valley where the treated wastewater drained, to determine the heavy metal and total organic carbon concentrations at same time. The study showed that the treated wastewater was low in its heavy metals contents during both winter and summer seasons, which was attributed to high pH value enhancing their precipitations. Some of the major ions such as Cl-, Na+, HCO33-, Mg2+in addition to biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were higher than the recommended Jordanian guidelines for drained water in valleys. The treated wastewater contained some organic compounds of toxic type such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Results showed that the soil was low in its heavy metal contents and total organic carbon with distance from the discharging pond, which attributed to the adsorption of heavy metals, total organic carbon and sedimentation of suspended particulates. From this study it was concluded that the treated wastewater must be used in situ for production of animal fodder and prohibit its contact with the surface and groundwater resources of the area specially Al-Mujeb dam where it is collected.

A PCR-DGGE approach to evaluate the impact of wastewater source on the antibiotic resistance diversity in treated wastewater effluent

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1323-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sigala ◽  
A. Unc
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Source Type ◽  
The Impact

Increased incidence of antibiotics in human-affected environments is raising concerns about increase in acquired antibiotic resistance by environmental bacteria. Wastewater collection and treatment systems are likely significant anthropogenic sinks and vectors for antibiotics and associated antibiotic resistance. Typical municipal treatment plants collect wastewaters of various sources, including well-established antibiotic resistance reservoirs such as hospitals, intensive care units and nursing homes, and integrate them with sources not commonly identified as major sources of antibiotic resistance, such as residential or industrial sources. A comprehensive PCR-DGGE diversity analysis of wastewater antibiotic-resistant bacteria was performed to evaluate the role of various wastewater sources in the discharge of antibiotic resistance by a municipal treatment plant. Wastewater sources are clearly inducing resistance in the final effluent but the role of each source type is highly variable, likely as a function of variable environmental conditions or water use patterns. Comparisons between primary treatment and secondary treatment stages indicate a strong role of the intensity of the wastewater treatment in the diversity profiles of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While pervasiveness of antibiotic resistance in the system impedes clear discrimination between sources in the tested system, there are indications of specific source type related impacts.

scholarly journals An Ohio State Scenic River Shows Elevated Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Including Acinetobacter Tetracycline and Macrolide Resistance, Downstream of Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
April Murphy ◽  
Daniel Barich ◽  
M. Siobhan Fennessy ◽  
Joan L. Slonczewski
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Recreational Use ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem worldwide, with frequent transmission between pathogens and environmental organisms. Rural rivers can support high levels of recreational use by people unaware of inputs from treated wastewater, while wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can generate a small but significant portion of flow volume into a river surrounded by forest and agriculture.

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