Summary
This narrative review synthesises current understanding of how antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes behave at micro-scale interfaces within soil environments. The authors identify migration-deposition, adsorption, and biofilm formation as key behaviours of ARB, and adsorption, proliferation, and degradation as primary processes affecting ARGs, with soil composition playing a significant modulatory role. The work provides a theoretical foundation for managing contamination risks posed by ARG accumulation in soil as a critical environmental reservoir.
UK applicability
Given the UK's intensive use of antibiotics in agriculture and healthcare, understanding ARG behaviour and persistence in British soils is relevant to soil and water quality management and food safety policy. However, the review's findings are likely applicable across temperate and other climates, and UK-specific field studies would be needed to validate micro-interfacial mechanisms under local soil and climatic conditions.
Key measures
Micro-interfacial behaviours of ARB (migration-deposition, adsorption, biofilm formation) and ARGs (adsorption, proliferation, degradation) in soil; role of soil components as determinants
Outcomes reported
The review identified and characterised the micro-interfacial behaviours of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil and porous media. The study synthesised evidence on migration-deposition, adsorption, biofilm formation, proliferation, and degradation as primary micro-interfacial processes, with soil components identified as significant determinants of these processes.
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