Insights into the roles of biochar pores toward alleviating antibiotic resistance genes accumulation in biofiltration systems

Lecheng Wei, Jingjing Zheng, Yutong Han, Xiangyang Xu, Mengyan Li, Liang Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biofiltration systems would harbor and spread various antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) when treating antibiotic micro-pollution, constituting a potential ecological risk. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar pores on ARG emergence and related microbial response mechanisms in bench-scale biofiltration systems. Results showed that biochar pores effectively reduced the absolute copies of the corresponding ARGs sul1 and sul2 by 54.1% by lowering the sorbed-SMX's bioavailability compared to non-porous anthracite. An investigation of antimicrobial resistomes revealed a considerable decrease in the abundance and diversity of ARGs and mobile gene elements. Metagenomic and metaproteomic analysis demonstrated that biochar pores induced the changeover of microbial defense strategy against SMX from blocking SMX uptake by EPS absorbing to SMX biotransformation. Microbial SOS response, antibiotic efflux pump, EPS secretion, and biofilm formation were decreased. Functions related to SMX biotransformation, such as sadABC-mediated transformation, xenobiotics degradation, and metabolism, were significantly promoted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number130257
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume394
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

Keywords

  • ARGs
  • Biochar
  • Biofiltration system
  • Microbial metabolism
  • Pore

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