| Antibiotics are used to improve the quality of life worldwide. However, incomplete metabolism in humans has resulted in the release of large amounts of pharmaceutical drugs into municipal wastewater treatment plants. The objectives of this study were: (1) to quantify the occurence and release of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) into the environment through the effluent and biosolids of different wastewater treatment utilities including an MBR (Membrane Biological Reactor) utility, conventional utilities and multiple sludge treatment processes, and (2) to quantify antibiotic resistance gene levels in manure, biosolids and soil samples. Tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes (Tet-W, Tet-O and Sul-I) along with tetracycline and sulfonamide resistant bacteria were quantified in all the samples. Advance wastewater treatment (MBR) and advance biosolids treatment (Lime stabilization and anaerobic digestion) was effective in reducing the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistant genes. The concentrations of tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes found in biosolids are less than concentrations found in manure samples. |
