Co-Selection of Heavy Metal and Antibiotic Resistance in Soil Bacteria from Agricultural Soils in New Zealand

Ali Heydari, Nick D. Kim, Jacqui Horswell, Gerty Gielen, Alma Siggins, Matthew Taylor, Collette Bromhead and Barry R. Palmer
Additional contact information
Ali Heydari: School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Nick D. Kim: School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Jacqui Horswell: School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Gerty Gielen: Scion, Tītokorangi Drive, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Alma Siggins: Civil Engineering and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
Matthew Taylor: Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Collette Bromhead: School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Barry R. Palmer: School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: Accumulation of trace elements (including heavy metals) in soil from usage of superphosphate fertilisers induces resistance of soil bacteria to trace elements of environmental concern (TEoEC) and may co-select for resistance to antibiotics (Ab). This study aimed to investigate selection of co-resistance of soil bacteria to Cd, Zn and Hg, and Ab in soils with varied management histories. Genetic diversity of these bacteria and horizontal transfer of Cd resistance genes ( cadA and czcA ) were also investigated. Soils with either pastoral and arable management histories and either high levels of Cd and Zn, or indigenous bush with background levels of these TEoEC from the Waikato region, New Zealand were sampled. Plate culturing with a range of TEoEC and Ab concentrations, Pollution Induced Community Tolerance (PICT) assay, antibiotic sensitivity, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) analyses were employed to investigate co-selection of TEoEC and Ab resistance. Higher levels of bacterial resistance to TEoEC and Ab correlated with higher levels of TEoEC in soil. Bacterial community structures were altered in soils with high TEoEC levels. Cd resistance genes were transferred from donor bacterial isolates, to recipients and the transconjugants also had resistance to Zn and/or Hg and a range of Ab.

Keywords: trace elements; heavy metal resistance; antibiotic resistance; bacteria; soil; co-selection; PICT; TRFLP; horizontal gene transfer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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