Antibiotic resistance genes transferred from landfill leachate to groundwater: a review of multiple factors

The global proliferation of antibiotics has fueled the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the consequent development of antimicrobial resistance in various environments. Landfills are now recognized as significant reservoirs of ARGs, yet the groundwater in close proximity to these sites remains comparatively understudied. Landfill leachate poses a substantial risk of ARG contamination in groundwater, with microbial communities acting as both carriers and mediators of ARG dynamics in response to biotic and abiotic factors. To safeguard the continued efficacy of crucial antibiotics, a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach, consistent with the One Health perspective, is imperative for the effective monitoring and control of antimicrobial resistance. While existing research often concentrates on isolated or limited case studies, further investigation is needed to establish a robust and standardized methodology for the analysis of ARGs and to explore complex scenarios involving groundwater flow through multiple interfaces.