Article
Environmental Sciences
Qihe Tang, Qianwen Sui, Yuansong Wei, Peihong Shen, Junya Zhang
Summary: Composting is an effective strategy for reducing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in animal manure. This study examined the fate of ARB and ARGs after applying swine-manure composts (SMCs) to different soil types. The results showed that SMCs initially increased total ARG abundance in the soil but significantly reduced it after 82 days. The SMCs introduced specific ARGs into the soils, which declined over time. However, the presence of SMCs increased the number of ARB in the soils, especially cefotaxime-resistant bacteria. The microbiome also took longer to recover compared to the control. Statistical analysis suggested that changes in the microbial community were the main factor influencing the fate of ARGs during SMCs land application.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiuyun Zhao, Gaofu Qi, Yali Feng, Chenyang Du
Summary: The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the accumulation of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and genes in environments, posing a threat to human health and environmental contamination. In this study, the effects of five years of nematicide avermectin application on the rhizosphere microbiome and resistome of sick tobacco plants were investigated. The application of avermectin increased the abundance and distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in the soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jielan Huang, Jiandui Mi, Qiufan Yan, Xin Wen, Shizheng Zhou, Yan Wang, Baohua Ma, Yongde Zou, Xindi Liao, Yinbao Wu
Summary: The application of animal manures increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil and lettuce endosphere, but not in the phyllosphere. Chemical fertilizer can increase the abundance of certain bacteria in the lettuce endosphere. Streptomycetaceae and Methylobacteriaceae are significantly positively correlated with intI1 in both soil and endosphere among shared bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuqing Mao, Neslihan Akdeniz, Thanh H. Nguyen
Summary: This study compared the abundances of genetic markers of opportunistic foodborne and airborne pathogens in backyard, commercial, and swine mortality composts. The findings suggest that backyard composts have lower abundances of antibiotic resistance genes, while airborne pathogen genes are present in various compost samples to some extent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Hana Stiborova, Martina Kracmarova, Tereza Vesela, Marta Biesiekierska, Jindrich Cerny, Jiri Balik, Katerina Demnerova
Summary: The study evaluated the risks associated with the repeated application of stabilized sewage sludge and manure on agricultural soils. The results showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) sul1 and tetW, with sul1 increasing in all treatments regardless of the time. It is recommended to monitor sul1 in organically fertilized soils to prevent its spread and potential accumulation in crops.
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. S. Stenger, O. G. Wikmark, C. C. Bezuidenhout, L. G. Molale-Tom
Summary: Microplastics pollution in marine environments is a growing concern, with microplastics persisting in the ocean and potentially influencing the ecosystem. The formation of biofilms on plastic surfaces may alter microbial communities and facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silvia Bonetta, Andrea Di Cesare, Cristina Pignata, Raffaella Sabatino, Manuela Macri, Gianluca Corno, Marco Panizzolo, Sara Bonetta, Elisabetta Carraro
Summary: This study examines the fate of antibiotic resistance in the urban water cycle in Italy, focusing on the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Plate counting and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to quantify ARB (resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, and sulfonamides) and measure the abundance of selected ARGs. The results show higher concentrations of ARB and ARGs in WWTPs compared to DWTPs, indicating that WWTPs are hotspots for antibiotic resistance spread. Although significant reductions were observed after treatment, none of the detected ARB or ARGs were completely removed from drinking water. Therefore, it is important to integrate culture-dependent and culture-independent methods to investigate antibiotic resistance dynamics in aquatic ecosystems involved in the urban water cycle, and to monitor the presence of ARB and ARGs, especially in drinking water, as it represents a potential route of transmission to humans.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Debanjali Dey, Shamik Chowdhury, Ramkrishna Sen
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major global crisis, with antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes detected as emerging biological contaminants. The release of antibiotic residue from human waste and pharmaceutical effluents into wastewater leads to the proliferation of resistance genes and bacteria in natural environments. Nanotechnology and nanomaterials offer potential solutions for combating antibiotic resistance, with ongoing efforts to develop efficient nanotechnology-based treatment strategies. However, the long-term efficacy of nano-based treatment under realistic conditions remains a challenge for commercialization. This review highlights the potential of nanotechnology in removing antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria, and discusses advanced detection technologies in use or being developed beyond the laboratory scale.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yan Wang, Xiaoyu Ni, Xuan Hou, Defang Ma, Bo Zhang, Qian Li, Baoyu Gao
Summary: An electrified carbon nanotube membrane combined with chlorine disinfection was developed to effectively eradicate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and damage antibiotic resistance genes in water samples, providing a potential method for water and sewage treatment plants.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Miguel Herraiz-Carbone, Salvador Cotillas, Engracia Lacasa, Marina Vasileva, Caridad Sainz de Baranda, Eva Riquelme, Pablo Canizares, Cristina Saez
Summary: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of using MIKROZON (R) cell for disinfecting complex urine, achieving total disinfection and reducing the concentration of antibiotic resistance genes. This electrochemical technology could be a promising tool to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance spread.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Houyu Li, Xiangqun Zheng, Lu Tan, Zhenlu Shao, Haoyu Cao, Yan Xu
Summary: The study found that the application of composted manure significantly increased the abundance of most ARGs and pathogens in soil, some ARGs and pathogens still existed in deep soil, total organic carbon had a significant influence on pathogen distribution, and bacterial communities primarily drove the vertical migration of ARGs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyu Zhao, Haochang Su, Wujie Xu, Xiaojuan Hu, Yu Xu, Guoliang Wen, Yucheng Cao
Summary: This study investigated the inactivation and removal efficiencies of Escherichia coli and plasmid-encoded ARGs by three commonly used fishery oxidants. The results showed that these oxidants achieved sufficient CT values to completely inactivate the target substances, indicating efficient disinfection in water. This research provides insight into controlling the spread of ARGs and ARB in aquaculture through practical disinfection methods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuai Zhang, Xingxiang Liu, Pengxiang Qiu, Bin Chen, Chenmin Xu, Weiliang Dong, Tao Liu
Summary: This study investigates the selective capture of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) and bacterial assemblages by different materials and sizes of microplastics (MPs). The results show that MPs can selectively enrich intracellular and extracellular ARGs, as well as affect the formation of bacterial communities in wastewater.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Quan Zheng, Yinqiao Zhang, Qianxin Zhang, Yujue Wang, Gang Yu
Summary: The electro-peroxone (EP) process is an electricity-based oxidation process that generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from cathodic oxygen (O2) reduction to remove antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Compared to ozonation alone, the EP process exhibits higher center dot OH exposures but lower O3 exposures, resulting in a moderately decreased efficiency of ARB inactivation and ARG degradation. However, the EP process effectively cleaves plasmid DNA to shorter fragments, reducing the risks of natural transformation of ARGs. Consideration of the effects of the EP process on ARB and ARG inactivation is important for water treatment implementation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Subirats, Roger Murray, Xiaole Yin, Tong Zhang, Edward Topp
Summary: This study investigated the impact of composted and raw chicken litter on antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria in vegetable cultivation soil. Composting reduced the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes, but these genes were not persistently detected on washed vegetables.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanlin Chen, Qianwen Sui, Dawei Yu, Libing Zheng, Meixue Chen, Tharindu Ritigala, Yuansong Wei
Summary: A combined MC-SMBR process was developed to efficiently treat swine wastewater, achieving high removal efficiencies and meeting discharge standards. High-throughput sequencing analysis showed an increase in the relative abundance of AOB with MC pre-treatment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Libing Zheng, Chun Zhang, Sai Kang, Chenlu Li, Deyin Hou, Shanghua Wu, Jun Wang, Yuansong Wei
Summary: This study reveals the process of microbial succession and biofouling formation in membrane distillation, providing in-depth information to fill the knowledge gap of MD biofouling.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dawei Yu, Liu Dian, Yonglong Hai, Mark T. Randall, Li Liu, Jibao Liu, Junya Zhang, Xiang Zheng, Yuansong Wei
Summary: This study investigates the effects of temporal evolution of rainfall on urban sewer systems. By analyzing rainfall characteristics in different temporal scales, overflow-risk identification and assessment are achieved. The results show that rainfall, urbanization, and sediments are the major driving forces for long-term CSO pollutants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jibao Liu, Xianglin He, Hui Zhong, Pei Lei, Junya Zhang, Yufeng Xu, Yuansong Wei
Summary: Thermal hydrolysis reduces the content of methylmercury in sewage sludge, with high temperature promoting both mercury methylation and methylmercury demethylation. Ruminococcaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae are potential methylators during hydrolysis and acidogenesis stage, while methylmercury demethylation dominates in the late period of anaerobic digestion.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junya Zhang, Dawei Yu, Liu Dian, Yonglong Hai, Yuan Xin, Yuansong Wei
Summary: This study explored the profiles and dynamic changes of antibiotic resistome in combined sewage overflows (CSOs) through metagenomics analysis. The dominant resistance mechanism was found to be antibiotic inactivation, and sulfonamide, aminoglycoside, and multidrug resistance were the main types of antibiotic resistance. The hosts of antibiotic resistome were mainly Proteobacteria, including Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Enterobacter, and Aeromonas. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as transposase (tnpA), 1591, and integmns were associated with the ARGs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liming Shi, Junya Zhang, Tiedong Lu, Kecheng Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the mobile antibiotic resistome and ARG hosts in three typical pesticide wastewater treatment plants through metagenomics. Results showed that ARGs associated with antibiotic efflux and multi-drug resistance dominated in the water phase. The mobile antibiotic resistome accounted for a certain percentage of the total relative abundance of ARGs. Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, and other potential human pathogens were major ARG hosts. The microbial community played a significant role in the occurrence of antibiotic resistome.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Suresh Indika, Yuansong Wei, Titus Cooray, Tharindu Ritigala, K. B. S. N. Jinadasa, Sujithra K. Weragoda, Rohan Weerasooriya
Summary: This paper reviews and discusses the current status, challenges, and opportunities of groundwater quality management and improvement in Sri Lanka. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in Sri Lanka, with different types in different regions. Higher levels of hardness, fluoride, DOC, alkalinity, and salinity are reported in the dry zone due to geology and arid climate. While some regions have significant levels of harmful substances in groundwater, the majority remain within acceptable levels. To achieve safe drinking water supply, Sri Lanka needs to invest in infrastructure and human resources for regular monitoring and assessment of groundwater quality.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jibao Liu, Chenlu Wang, Zhineng Hao, Gen Kondo, Manabu Fujii, Qing-Long Fu, Yuansong Wei
Summary: Understanding the composition and reactivity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) at molecular level is crucial for deciphering regulators and indicators for anaerobic process performance. High-resolution mass spectrometry, machine learning, and data mining were employed to comprehensively elucidate the DOM composition and transformation. The study found that persulfate pretreatment improved volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production, while the presence of iron reduced the VFAs production. Machine learning was able to predict the DOM reactivity classes with high accuracy by considering key molecular parameters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuan Xin, Junya Zhang, Tiedong Lu, Yuansong Wei, Peihong Shen
Summary: Global climate change leads to more frequent heavy rainfall, which causes non-point source pollution and exacerbates risks to the water ecological environment. This study investigated the response of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and algal communities to heavy rainfall in the Shahe reservoir in Beijing, China. The results showed that heavy rainfall directly impacted the composition of the prokaryotic community and introduced potential human pathogens into the reservoir. The eukaryotic community remained stable, while changes in algal communities occurred a few days after heavy rainfall. Microbial source tracking revealed that the Nansha river was the major contributor to the development of all three communities in the reservoir. Co-occurrence analysis and network analysis highlighted the importance of eukaryotes in the interaction network among the three communities. The findings suggest that controlling human potential pathogens associated with the prokaryotic community should be a priority during heavy rainfall, while preventing eutrophication blooms should be addressed afterwards.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Libing Zheng, Chenlu Li, Chun Zhang, Sai Kang, Rui Gao, Jun Wang, Yuansong Wei
Summary: Mineral scaling poses a significant challenge for membrane distillation in hypersaline wastewater desalination, but the fouling mechanism is not well understood. This study deconstructed the scaling process and identified the main foulants involved. It was found that the scaling mechanism shifted from heterogeneous nucleation to bulk crystallization, and the formation of a thick scaling layer was observed. The role of organic matter, such as humic acids and colloidal silica, in influencing the scaling mechanism was also examined. This work provides valuable insights into the mixed scaling mechanism in vacuum membrane distillation for hypersaline wastewater treatment and recovery.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Junya Zhang, Baiwen Ma, Chengzhi Hu, Yuansong Wei, Gang Liu, Mathias Ulbricht, Hans-Hermann Richnow
Summary: Rapid urbanization has put pressure on the development of water safety management concepts and strategies in the urban water cycle. This is closely related to the health and well-being of the urban population. The role of viromes in the development of microbial ecology and health risks in the urban water cycle is often overlooked, but it presents new research areas for clean water and sanitation goals. We propose research gaps and challenges in monitoring and managing viromes in the urban water cycle to address the urgent need for waterborne virus management.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenchao Yu, Ye Xu, YaWei Wang, Qianwen Sui, Yuan Xin, Hui Wang, Junya Zhang, Hui Zhong, Yuansong Wei
Summary: Rainfall events contribute to the transfer of antibiotic-resistant contaminants to the environment. More comprehensive assessments are needed to understand the distribution and transport of intra- and extracellular antibiotic-resistant genes (iARGs and eARGs) in different seasons. Results showed that the abundance of eARGs was significantly higher than that of iARGs during the dry season in the reservoir, but increased after rainfall. Seasonal rainfall also affected the diversity and shared genes between iARGs and eARGs. Factors such as microbial community and dissolved organic matter played important roles in the distribution of ARGs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suresh Indika, Dazhou Hu, Yuansong Wei, Isuru Yapabandara, Titus Cooray, Madhubhashini Makehelwala, K. B. S. N. Jinadasa, Sujithra K. Weragoda, Rohan Weerasooriya, Zhonghe Pang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate groundwater quality in the North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka in order to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6. The study area was selected due to its high prevalence of chronic kidney disease. Results revealed elevated levels of salinity, hardness, fluoride, nitrate, sulfate, and dissolved organic carbon, as well as alkaline nature of groundwater. Water quality index analyses showed poor quality undrinkable groundwater in 8.9% and 13.8% of wells in wet and dry seasons, respectively. Reverse osmosis technology was identified as the most suitable method to treat high salinity groundwater in the NCP.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baiwen Ma, Chengzhi Hu, Junya Zhang, Mathias Ulbricht, Stefan Panglisch
Summary: Widespread climate change has significant implications for drinking water quality. Understanding the interplay between climate change and water quality can assist professionals in adapting and optimizing water management practices to ensure the safety of drinking water.
