Response of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Related Microorganisms to Arsenic during Vermicomposting of Cow Dung.

Int J Environ Res Public Health

China-UK Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Joint Research Centre, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, China.

Published: November 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • Antibiotic resistance in livestock manure is a growing concern, and vermicomposting, an eco-friendly process, can help make manure less harmful while enriching it.
  • A lab experiment showed that vermicomposting significantly reduced certain antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) when earthworms processed arsenic-contaminated cow manure, but arsenic itself increased ARG levels in earthworm casts.
  • The study highlighted how vermicomposting altered microbial communities, increasing beneficial bacteria, and emphasized the importance of understanding soil health and the role of earthworms in managing pollutant levels.

Article Abstract

Antibiotic resistance pollution in livestock manure is a persistent issue that has drawn public attention. Vermicomposting is an ecofriendly biological process that can render livestock manure harmless and resourceful. However, little is known about the impact of vermicomposting on antibiotic resistance in livestock manure under stress caused by potentially toxic arsenic levels. Herein, lab-scale vermicomposting was performed to comprehensively evaluate the shift in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and related microorganisms in fresh earthworm casts as well as vermicompost product health (i.e., nutrient availability and enzyme activity) when they were fed on arsenic-contaminated cow manure. The results showed that the earthworms' interaction with cow dung led to a significant reduction in ARG concentrations, especially for tetracycline ARGs (-ARGs), β-lactam ARGs (-ARGs), and quinolone ARGs (-ARGs). However, arsenic significantly enhanced ARG accumulation in earthworm casts in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, vermicomposting increased the percentage of Bacteroidota in the converted products. Furthermore, arsenic exposure at low concentrations promoted the proliferation of Proteobacteria, whereas high concentrations had little effect on Proteobacteria. Our study provides valuable insight into the changes in the antibiotic resistome and related microorganisms during vermicomposting of arsenic-amended cow manure, and it is crucial to explain the environmental impact of earthworms and improve our understanding of the reciprocal benefits of soil invertebrates.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9658359PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114475DOI Listing

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