Comparing resistome profiles from anthropogenically impacted and non-impacted areas of two South Shetland Islands – Maritime Antarctica

Abstract

Whalers Bay, in Deception Island, has one of the most anthropogenically impacted areas in Maritime Antarctica. However, considering the volcanic nature (high concentrations of heavy metals) of Deception Island's soils, this putative anthropogenic impact should be carefully investigated. In this context, the objective of this study was to compare resistome profiles of impacted and non-impacted areas in Deception Island (Whalers Bay, Crater Lake, and Fumarole Bay) and Livingston Island (Hannah Point) in order to investigate the microbiome tolerance/resistance mechanisms selected as a function of environmental drivers. Metagenomics was used to search for genes conferring resistance/tolerance to antibiotics, biocides, and heavy metals. Whalers Bay has a greater diversity of antibiotic, biocide, and heavy metal resistance classes found in its microbiomes. However, Hannah Point, at Livingston Island, has a greater abundance of antibiotic and biocide resistance/tolerance genes. The microbiome of Deception Island's non-impacted areas (Crater Lake and Fumarole Bay) showed resistance/tolerance genes almost entirely to heavy metals. Pb was found in higher concentrations in Whalers Bay soil in comparison to the other areas, indicating human contamination. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis revealed that Pb concentrations influenced resistome profiles in Whalers Bay soil. Despite the effect of Pb on the microbial communities of Whalers Bay, most heavy metal concentrations did not have a significant impact on resistome genes, suggesting that the volcanic soil heavy metal concentration of Deception Island has little biological influence.