Nature-based solutions for antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance removal in tertiary wastewater treatment: Microbiological composition and risk assessment.

This field-scale study evaluates the seasonal effectiveness of employing nature-based solutions (NBSs), particularly surface flow and horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland configurations, as tertiary treatment technologies for the removal of antibiotics (ABs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) compared to a conventional treatment involving UV and chlorination. Out of the 21 monitored ABs, 13 were detected in the influent of three tertiary wastewater treatments, with concentrations ranging from 2 to 1218 ng·L-1. The ARGs sul1 and dfrA1 exhibited concentrations ranging from 1 × 105 to 9 × 106 copies/100 mL. NBSs were better at reducing ABs (average 69 to 88 %) and ARGs (2-3 log units) compared to the conventional tertiary system (average 36 to 39 % and no removal to 2 log units) in both seasons. Taxonomic compositions in influent water samples shifted from wastewater-impacted communities (Actinomycetota and Firmicutes) to a combination of plant rhizosphere-associated and river communities in NBS effluents (Alphaproteobacteria). In contrast, the conventional technology showed no substantial differences in community composition. Moreover, NBSs substantially reduced the ecotoxicological risk assessment (cumulative RQs). Furthermore, NBSs reduced the ecotoxicological risk (cumulative RQs) by an average of over 70 % across seasons, whereas the benchmark technology only achieved a 6 % reduction. In conclusion, NBSs present a robust alternative for minimizing the discharge of ABs and ARGs into surface water bodies.

Potential of nature-based solutions to reduce antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogens in aquatic ecosystems. a critical review.

This comprehensive scientific review evaluates the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) in reducing antibiotics (ABs), combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and controlling pathogens in various aquatic environments at different river catchment levels. It covers conventional and innovative treatment wetland configurations for wastewater treatment to reduce pollutant discharge into the aquatic ecosystems as well as exploring how river restoration and saltmarshes can enhance pollutant removal. Through the analysis of experimental studies and case examples, the review shows NBS's potential for providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions to improve the health of aquatic ecosystems. It also evaluates the use of diagnostic indicators to predict NBS effectiveness in removing specific pollutants such as ABs and AMR. The review concludes that NBS are feasible for addressing the new challenges stemming from human activities such as the presence of ABs, AMR and pathogens, contributing to a better understanding of NBS, highlighting success stories, addressing knowledge gaps, and providing recommendations for future research and implementation.

Impact of organic soil amendments in antibiotic levels, antibiotic resistance gene loads, and microbiome composition in corn fields and crops.

The potential spreading of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) into agricultural fields and crops represent a fundamental limitation on the use of organic fertilization in food production systems. We present here a study of the effect of spreading four types of organic soil amendments (raw pig slurry, liquid and solid fractions, and a digested derivative) on demonstrative plots in two consecutive productive cycles of corn harvest (Zea mays), using a mineral fertilizer as a control, following the application of organic amendments at 32-62 T per ha (150 kg total N/ha) and allowing 5-8 months between fertilization and harvest. A combination of qPCR and high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing methods showed a small, but significant impact of the fertilizers in both ARG loads and microbiomes in soil samples, particularly after the second harvesting cycle. The slurry solid fraction showed the largest impact on both ARG loads and microbiome variation, whereas its digestion derivatives showed a much smaller impact. Soil samples with the highest ARG loads also presented increased levels of tetracyclines, indicating a potential dual hazard by ARG and antibiotic residues linked to some organic amendments. Unlike soils, no accumulation of ARG or antibiotics was observed in corn leaves (used as fodder) or grains, and no grain sample reached detection limits for neither parameter. These results support the use of organic soil amendments in corn crops, while proposing the reduction of the loads of ARGs and antibiotics from the fertilizers to greatly reduce their potential risk.