The Impact of Microplastics on Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microplastics represent emerging environmental contaminants with significant implications for ecosystem and human health. While considerable progress has been made in understanding their individual behaviors, their combined effects remain underexplored. This review analyzes current research on the distribution, migration mechanisms, and transfer pathways of ARGs on microplastic surfaces across diverse environmental compartments. The results indicate that microplastics significantly enhance the persistence, mobility, and horizontal transfer of ARGs, acting as hotspots for resistance gene dissemination in wastewater, aquatic, terrestrial, and airborne environments. The study also reveals that microplastic type, morphology, and environmental conditions critically influence ARGs enrichment and spread. This synthesis provides a comprehensive reference for understanding the role of microplastics in ARG transmission and highlights the need for integrated pollution control strategies. Future research should focus on standardized detection methods, field validation, and the development of effective remediation technologies to mitigate the spread of microplastic-associated ARGs.