Microplastic Categories Distinctively Impact Wastewater Bacterial Taxonomic Composition and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes.

ABSTRACT: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may serve as hotspots for pathogens and promote antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Plastic debris in wastewater could further contribute to AMR dissemination. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various microplastic types on bacterial communities and AMR gene abundance in wastewater that were obtained from two WWTPs, one in Tromsø, Norway, and the other one in Potchefstroom, South Africa. The microcosm experiments were designed as follows: Five manufactured microplastic pellet types were used for testing, and two rock aggregate types were used as controls. In addition, each material type was subjected to artificial aging treatments using either ultra-violet light or hydrogen peroxide. Each material was incubated in flasks containing inlet

SUBMITTER: Tran TT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11857732 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature