Dynamic relationships of antibiotic resistomes and greenhouse gas-functioning microbes across diverse habitats

Abstract

Reservoir ecosystems with diverse habitats form critical interfaces where antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions converge. Despite their distribution and ecological implications of ARGs across diverse habitats remain greatly unknown. There is a critical gap in dissecting the interlinkages between antibiotic resistomes and GHG-functioning microbes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between antibiotic resistomes and GHG-functioning microbes in various habitats of the Three Gorges reservoir, encompassing water, sediment, and riparian top- and sub-soil. We provide a comprehensive assessment of ARG abundance and diversity across four habitats. Significant differences in ARG, with riparian zones exhibiting more than twice the ARG abundance of water. Horizontal gene transfer of ARGs was more frequent in water, suggesting a pivotal role in aquatic ARG dissemination. The GHG-functioning microbes displayed habitat-specific composition and diversity, with key genera like Neisseria and Azoarcus in riparian subsoil, contrasting with Streptomyces in other habitats. The dynamic relationship of antibiotic resistomes and GHG-functioning microbes ranges from synergistic to competitive in varied habitats, reflecting antibiotic resistomes can influence ecological function stability. This study emphasizes the importance of considering resistomes in the context of global change, advancing our understanding of environmental management and conservation strategies in these critical ecosystems.