Triclocarban shifted the microbial communities and promoted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in nitrifying granular sludge system

Triclocarban (TCC) is in great market demand especially after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, becoming an emerging pollutant. However, the impacts of TCC on the performance of nitrifying granular sludge system and the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were still unknown. This work explored the impacts of different concentrations of TCC on nitrifying granular sludge. Results showed that TCC suppressed the activities of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and decreased the abundance of Nitrospira. Adsorption was the main way for the removal of TCC and the biodegradation efficiency of TCC increased to 28.00% under 19.70 mg/L TCC addition. TCC enriched the ARGs and promoted the risks of their transferring in microorganisms. Pseudomonas might not only have strong resistance to TCC, but also propagate ARGs. The removal process of TCC and bacterial communities were important factors to promote the spread of ARGs. Thus, the existence of TCC presented a great environmental risk.

Automated summary

TCC negatively affects the performance of nitrifying granular sludge system and the spread of ARGs. TCC suppresses the activity of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and decreases the abundance of Nitrospira. The removal process of TCC and bacterial communities are important factors in promoting the spread of ARGs.