Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants

Abstract

Previous studies reported microplastics (MPs), antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). There is still a lack of research progress on the origin, fate, impact and hazards of MPs and ARGs in WWTPs. This paper fills a gap in this regard. In our search, we used “microplastics”, “antibiotic resistance genes”, and “wastewater treatment plant” as topic terms in Web of Science, checking the returned results for relevance by examining paper titles and abstracts. This study mainly explores the following points: (1) the origins and fate of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in WWTPs; (2) the mechanisms of action of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in sludge biochemical pools; (3) the impacts of MPs in WWTPs and the spread of ARGs; (4) and the harm inflicted by MPs and ARGs on the environment and human body. Contaminants in sewage sludge such as MPs, ARGs, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter the soil and water. Contaminants can travel through the food chain and thus reach humans, leading to increased illness, hospitalization, and even mortality. This study will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of action among MPs, antibiotics, ARGs, and the harm they inflict on the human body.

Effects of microplastics on Daphnia-associated microbiomes in situ and in vitro

“…Since high-MP ponds are close to human activity hubs, they are at greater risk of antibiotic contamination through sewage runoff. Furthermore, the increase of ARGs within host microbiomes in high-MP ponds supports the hypothesis that MP may provide a route for human-derived antibiotics and ARGs to enter and establish within aquatic host microbiomes (Zhao et al, 2024; Chaturvedi et al, 2023). Interestingly, we found that the host microbiome community from a high-MP environment was enriched in genes encoding PET catabolism.…”

“…With the transfer of these members comes the transfer of some genes associated with microplastics (MP). These include plastic polymer degradation enzymes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which have been demonstrated to spread via MP-associated biofilms (Kaur et al ., 2022; Zhao et al ., 2024).…”