Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is an emerging global health concern, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as an essential carrier for the occurrence and transmission of ARGs, deserves more attention. Based on the Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing platform, this study conducted a metagenomic analysis of 18 samples from three full-scale WWTPs to explore the fate of ARGs in the whole process (influent, biochemical treatment, advanced treatment, and effluent) of wastewater treatment. Total 70 ARG subtypes were detected, among which multidrug, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and macrolide ARGs were most abundant. The different treatment processes used for three WWTPs were capable of reducing ARG diversity, but did not significantly reduce ARG abundance. Compared to that by denitrification filters, the membrane bioreactor (MBR) process was advantageous in controlling the prevalence of multidrug ARGs in WWTPs. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) suggested g_Nitrospira, g_Curvibacter, and g_Mycobacterium as the key bacteria responsible for differential ARG prevalence among different WWTPs. Meanwhile, adeF, sul1, and mtrA were the persistent antibiotic resistance genes (PARGs) and played dominant roles in the prevalence of ARGs. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the host bacteria of majority ARGs in WWTPs, while Pseudomonas and Nitrospira were the most crucial host bacteria influencing the dissemination of critical ARGs (e.g., adeF). In addition, microbial richness was determined to be the decisive factor affecting the diversity and abundance of ARGs in wastewater treatment processes. Overall, regulating the abundance of microorganisms and key host bacteria by selecting processes with microbial interception, such as MBR process, may be beneficial to control the prevalence of ARGs in WWTPs.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
