Microplastics in fresh- and wastewater are potential contributors to antibiotic resistance - A minireview

Abstract

Increasing antibiotic resistance and microplastic (MP) pollution are among the global environmental challenges of our time. This study reviews relevant studies on MP pollution and the abundance of antibiotic resistant elements in freshwater resources. The objective was to evaluate the potential antibiotic resistance spread via MPs in the freshwater aquatic environment. Studies have indicated that MPs interact with microbial communities differently than natural particles, harboring a unique bacterial community than the surrounding water. The composition of MP biofilm community revealed an abundance of bacterial cells, pathogens, antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). The closely packed bacterial cells in MP biofilm in a water matrix might offer a favorable enviroment for horizontal genes transfer (HGT). Furthermore, antibiotics in trace concentrations in freshwater resources could be adsorbed onto MP surfaces and impact the microbial composition by selective enrichment of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). The biofilm matrix provide protection in MP biofilms that could impact the disinfection efficiency of conventional treatment techniques. The impacts of MPs, antibiotic resistant elements and their interaction on human health and aquatic biota remain relatively unknown to date. Future studies on MPs and antibiotic resistant elements need to consider the collective role, challenges, and consequences of the interaction between MPs and antibiotic resistant elements in freshwater ecosystem.