Riverine floodplains as hotspots for the (co-)proliferation of antibiotic and metal resistance genes in the environment

河流洪泛区是环境中抗生素和金属抗性基因（共）扩散的热点

• 批准号: 535177170
• 负责人: Professorin Dr. E. Marie Muehe, Ph.D.
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Department Umweltmikrobiologie
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Grants
• 资助国家: 德国
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/535177170?language=en
• 关键词: Riverine; floodplains; hotspots; co; proliferation

Contaminants with antimicrobial properties, including heavy metals and antibiotics, pose a significant threat to soil health. While heavy metals are often considered a legacy contamination, antibiotics are emerging contaminants. Riverine floodplains, situated between heavy metal-transporting rivers and agricultural fields, are potential hotspots for the co-occurrence and proliferation of heavy metal resistance genes (HRGs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study aims to investigate the role of riverine floodplains as contact zones for the simultaneous emergence and movement of antibiotics and heavy metals, and associated resistant genes. We hypothesize that resistance genes to either contaminant will be spread in the presence of the other contaminant in riverine floodplains, as both resistances enter floodplains from different sources and occur on the same mobile genetic elements. Three research objectives are addressed: Determining the prevalence and distribution of HRGs and ARGs in riverine floodplains and their distribution along opposing antibiotic and heavy metal gradients. Elucidating the adaptation of floodplain grasslands to co-contamination with heavy metals and antibiotics and assessing the movement of resistance genes. Assessing the impact of the rhizosphere on the proliferation of ARGs and HRGs under exposure to either contaminant. The proposed research project will involve field site assessments, measuring heavy metal and antibiotic concentrations, and quantifying the corresponding resistance genes. Additional factors influencing resistance gene spread will be investigated, including soil geochemistry, biotope type, climate, and microbial community dynamics. A model floodplain strip experiment will be conducted to assess resistance gene movement and degradation. The adaptation of microbial communities will be analyzed using amplicon sequencing, and the role of rhizosphere processes in resistance gene proliferation will be evaluated. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing the co-occurrence and proliferation of ARGs and HRGs in riverine floodplains.

具有抗菌性能的污染物，包括重金属和抗生素，对土壤健康构成了重大威胁。虽然重金属通常被认为是一种遗留污染，但抗生素是新出现的污染物。河漫滩位于重金属输运河流和农田之间，是重金属抗性基因(HRGs)和抗生素抗性基因(ARGs)共存和扩散的潜在热点。本研究旨在探讨河漫滩作为抗生素、重金属及相关耐药基因同时出现和迁移的接触区的作用。我们假设，对其中一种污染物的抗性基因将在河流泛滥平原中另一种污染物存在的情况下传播，因为这两种抗性来自不同的来源进入泛滥平原，并发生在相同的可移动遗传元件上。提出了三个研究目标：确定河流泛滥平原中HRGs和ARGs的流行和分布，以及它们沿相反的抗生素和重金属梯度的分布。阐明洪泛区草原对重金属和抗生素复合污染的适应，并评估抗性基因的运动。评估根际对暴露在任一污染物下的ARGs和HRGs的增殖的影响。拟议的研究项目将涉及现场评估、测量重金属和抗生素浓度，以及量化相应的耐药基因。还将调查其他影响抗性基因传播的因素，包括土壤地球化学、生物区类型、气候和微生物群落动态。将进行模型漫滩地带实验，以评估抗性基因的运动和退化。将使用扩增序列分析微生物群落的适应性，并将评估根际过程在抗性基因增殖中的作用。这项研究的结果将有助于更好地了解影响河漫滩ARGs和HRGs共生和扩散的因素。