Fate and Behavior of Antibiotic Resistance Genes during Aerobic and Anaerobic Digestion of Excess Activated Sludge

摘要

The global abuse of antibiotics has led to the widespread proliferation of antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs), which has been recognized as a serious environment and human health issue. ARGs proliferation is taking place mainly through vertical gene transfer by the reproduction of bacterial hosts and horizontal gene transfer by mobile gene elements (MGEs). Excess activated sludge (EAS), as the main byproduct of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), is reported to be a reservoir of ARGs. The large amount of EAS poses a great challenge regarding the environment and requires proper treatment and management. Aerobic and anaerobic digestion is used for stabilizing and utilizing the EAS through biological degradation, however, little is known on the fate and behavior of ARGs in treatment with these methods. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to investigate the fate and behavior of ARGs during aerobic and anaerobic digestion of EAS.