PH drives the spatial variation of antibiotic resistance gene profiles in riparian soils at a watershed scale. (1st June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fu, Chenxi; Qin, Yuan; Xiang, Qian; Qiao, Min; Zhu, Yongguan
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 326(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06-01
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance genes -- Riparian soil -- Soil pH -- Watershed scale -- Land-use type; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121486
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Owing to convenient water access, riparian areas are often sites for intensive livestock breeding industries and agriculture, which can increase the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, studies on ARG profiles in riparian soils are limited and there is little information regarding the factors influencing ARGs at a watershed scale. Here, we analyzed ARG profiles, bacterial communities, and soil properties in riparian soils under different land-use types. A total of 124 ARGs and 25 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were detected in the riparian soils, which covered almost all major classes of antibiotics. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed that both the distance to the water reservoir and land-use types played important roles in shaping ARG profiles in riparian soils at a watershed scale. Downstream soils harbored three times the abundance of ARGs compared with upstream and midstream soils. Distance-decay analysis indicated that the similarity of ARG profiles and bacterial community composition decreased significantly with the increase of geographical distance ( p < 0.001). When taking the land-use type into consideration, the relative abundance and diversity of ARGs and MGEs in orchard and farmland soils were significantly higher than those in wasteland soils. This indicated that anthropogenic activities can also affect ARG patterns in riparian soils. MGE abundance was identified as major driving factors of ARG profiles. In addition, among all the examined soil properties, soil pH was found to be more important than nutrients and organic carbon in shaping ARG profiles. Our findings provide valuable data on ARG distribution in riparian soils in a reservoir catchment and highlight downstream soils is crucial for ensuring water source security. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: More abundant ARGs were detected in downstream riparian soils. Human activities can shape ARG profiles in riparian soils. MGEs and soil pH were the main contributors to ARG abundance.