Triclosan effect on freshwater microbial communities

The effect of triclosan on the emergence and spread of triclosan-resistant or tolerant bacteria in sediments has been well documented. Little is known, however, about the possible effects of triclosan on microbial communities present in the water column as the antimicrobial gets released from sediments or from water sewage outflow. Our study shows that while larger triclosan concentrations comparable to those found in heavily polluted streams can alter the overall phylogenetic structure of surface water microbial communities, concentrations as low as 1 ng/L can significantly decrease microbial diversity and favor specific type of bacteria.