Changes in antibiotic resistance genotypes and phenotypes after two typical sewage disposal processes

Antibiotic resistome is a growing concern around the world. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as hotspots for antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) research. However, the distribution of antibiotic resistance genotypes and phenotypes in biofilm wastewater treatment system is poorly understood. In this study, the abundance and fate of antibiotic resistance genotypes and phenotypes in two typical wastewater treatment processes [biological aerated filter (BAF), anaerobic-oxic (A/O)] were quantitatively studied. The average removal rate of total ARGs was greater than 90%. In the biological treatment unit, the abundance of ARGs increased in the A/O unit and decreased in the biofilm unit. In addition, the resistance of tetracycline resistant bacteria changed after sewage disposal, which was closely related to the evolution of bacterial community. In total, the removal rate of resistance bacteria in A/O system was lower than that in BAF system. Genotypes were the basis of determining the phenotypes of microbial resistance. But it is necessary to pay close attention to antibiotic resistance phenotype due to its high variability. More specifically, antibiotic resistance mitigation in WWTPs should focus more on removing bacterial hosts to reduce the release of ARGs into the environment.