Efficient Microcystis removal and sulfonamide-resistance gene propagation mitigation by constructed wetlands and functional genes analysis

Increasingly prevalent Microcystis blooms and the propagation of the associated resistance genes represent global environmental problems. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a cost-effective technology used for wastewater treatment. In this study, the herb Alisma orientale and three industrial byproducts, namely, blast furnace slag, biochar, and sawdust, were selected to construct mini-CW units. Their potential to remediate toxic Microcystis and their influences on the behaviors of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs, sul1, sul2, and intl1) were analyzed. Approximately 98.46% of Microcystis cells were removed by the sawdust-based CW in just 2 d, wherein 0.37 mu g/L residual microcystin (MC)-LR was detected, with a removal efficiency of 96.47%, which is potentially caused by the higher relative abundance of MC-degrading gene mlrA on the substrate. Lower target ARG accumulations in the sawdust-based CW may be attributed to the lower intl1 relative abundance and microbial function mobile element content, which could influence horizontal gene transfer. In three sequential batches for the treatment of eutrophic lake water, six sawdust-based CW units were assembled into CW microcosms. The efficiency of removal of Microcystis and MC-LR by planted CW microcosms ranged between 92.00% and 95.88% and between 86.48% and 94.82%, respectively; this was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that by unplanted ones. Less accumulation of target ARGs was also observed in planted CWs. Planting considerably improved nitrogen removal, possibly owing to the enrichment of genes involved in the KEGG nitrogen metabolism pathway in the substrate through metagenomic analysis.

Automated summary

This study explores the potential of constructed wetlands in remediating toxic Microcystis and reducing the accumulation of antibiotic-resistant genes. It is found that a sawdust-based constructed wetland can effectively remove Microcystis and decrease the accumulation of targeted ARGs. Planting the wetland greatly improves the removal efficiency and nitrogen removal.