A systematic review of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in estuarine and coastal environments

Abstract

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prevalent in estuarine and coastal environments due to substantial terrestrial input, aquaculture effluent, and sewage discharge. In this article, based on peer-reviewed papers, the sources, spatial patterns, driving factors, and environmental implications of antibiotics and ARGs in global estuarine and coastal environments are discussed. Riverine runoff, WWTPs, sewage discharge, and aquaculture, are responsible for the prevalence of antibiotics and ARGs. Geographically, pollution due to antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries is higher than that in high-income countries, and ARGs show remarkable latitudinal variations. The distribution of antibiotics is driven by antibiotic usage and environmental variables (heavy metals, nutrients, organic pollutants, etc.), while ARGs are affected by antibiotics residues, environmental variables, microbial communities, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Antibiotics and ARGs alter microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles, as well as pose threats to marine organisms and human health. Our results provide comprehensive insights into the transport and environmental behaviors of antibiotics and ARGs in global estuarine and coastal environments.

Keywords: Antibiotic; Antibiotic resistance gene; Environmental implication; Estuary; Geographical distribution.