Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as hotspots for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and thus represent a critical point where patterns in ARG abundances can be monitored prior to their release into the environment. The aim of the current study was to measure the impact of the release of the final treated effluent (FE) on the abundance of ARGs in the receiving water of a recently upgraded WWTP in the Canadian prairies. Sample nutrient content (phosphorous and nitrogen species) was measured as a proxy for WWTP functional performance, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to measure the abundance of eight ARGs, the intI1 gene associated with class I integrons, and the 16S rRNA gene. The genes ermB, sul1, intI1, blaCTX-M, qnrS, and tetO all had higher abundances downstream of the WWTP, consistent with the genes with highest abundance in the FE. These findings are consistent with the increasing evidence suggesting that human activity affects the abundances of ARGs in the environment. Although the degree of risk associated with releasing ARGs into the environment is still unclear, understanding the environmental dimension of this threat will help develop informed management policies to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance and protect public health.
Highlights
IntroductionAntimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) can be detected in pristine environments with minimal anthropogenic influence, their measured abundance can be elevated in managed environments such as livestock feedlots and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)
The degree of risk associated with releasing antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) into the environment is still unclear, understanding the environmental dimension of this threat will help develop informed management policies to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance and protect public health
Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) can be detected in pristine environments with minimal anthropogenic influence, their measured abundance can be elevated in managed environments such as livestock feedlots and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) can be detected in pristine environments with minimal anthropogenic influence, their measured abundance can be elevated in managed environments such as livestock feedlots and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). WWTP design is mainly focused on the effective removal of nutrients and enteric pathogens The WWTP of focus in this study is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and recently underwent a $175 million CAD upgrade to incorporate advanced biological nutrient removal processes to accommodate recent changes in governmental requirements for reduced nutrient release in the receiving waters of wastewater effluent. Our findings are consistent with the increasing pool of evidence suggesting that human activity greatly affects the abundances of ARGs in the environment, but they identify patterns in ARG abundance different from those of other regional studies, suggesting that unique mechanisms may influence ARG communities in different regions
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