Study on antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, bacterial community characteristics and their correlation in the landfill leachates

Aim This study aimed to investigate the contamination levels of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the landfill leachates and their correlations with the bacteria. Methods and results Using HPLC-MS, quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing, we measured the pollution levels of 14 antibiotics and 10 ARGs in the leachates of the landfill in Taiyuan, China, and analysed changes in the bacterial community and the correlations of bacteria with antibiotics and ARGs. The main results showed high levels of antibiotics (like enrofloxacin, pefloxacin and oxytetracycline) and ARGs (like sulfonamides, tetracycline, macrolides, quinolones and β-lactam-resistance genes) in the landfill leachates, along with higher diversity and richness of the bacteria. Some types of antibiotics had positive correlations with their corresponding ARGs. The dominant bacteria in the landfill leachates were Pseudomonas, Defluviitoga and Sulfurimonas, which correlated with the antibiotics and ARGs and might have potential effects on degrading them. Conclusions Antibiotics and ARG pollution existed in the landfill leachates, while bacteria were closely associated with them. Significance and impact of the study It will provide helpful information for the potential application of the bacteria in antibiotics and ARGs pollution control and landfill leachate management.