Chemical pollutants impact on the spread of microbial resistome and the health of aquatic ecosystems

Despite the recognition of the importance of preserving the resourceswater, countless discharges of industrial effluents, domestic andhospital residues are deposited in aquatic ecosystems. As a result, the deterioration of the quality of natural waters compromises the health of these ecosystems and generates risks to human health. The accelerated industrial and agricultural growth and the release of untreated waste into water bodies have caused an increase in the levels of heavy metals and drugs in aquatic environments. Youantimicrobials, used by humans and animals, are mostly excreted into the environment, about 90% of these substances are not metabolized by organisms. These pollutants in contact with the microbiota, human and aquatic, generate a selective pressure that promotes the horizontal transfer of genes and the spread of resistance organisms and genes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the possible impacts of chemical pollutants on the dissemination and persistence of microbial resistome in hospital and industrial effluents and in their receiving waterbodies.