In treacherous waters: detection of colistin-resistant bacteria in water and plastic litter from a recreational estuary.

Colistin resistance poses a major therapeutic challenge and resistant strains have now been reported worldwide. However, the occurrence of such bacteria in aquatic environments is considerably less understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize colistin-resistant strains from water and plastic litter collected in an urban recreational estuary.

Changes in Cd and Zn distribution in sediments after closure of an electroplating industry, Sepetiba bay, Brazil.

The spatiotemporal attenuation of Cd and Zn concentrations was assessed in sediments from Sepetiba Bay, which is a coastal system that has been historically impacted by industrial wastes. The evolution of contamination over the years shortly before and after cessation of electroplating industry activities, by the end of 1990's, was elucidated by reviewing the existing datasets for the whole bay area. Metal concentrations exceed Brazilian Sediment Quality Guidelines in most regions, corresponding to concentrations 3 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than background levels and Enrichment Factors reaching values significantly higher than 40 for both elements.