title: Influence of Soil Characteristics and Proximity to Antarctic Research Stations on Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Soils.
abstract: Soil is an important environmental reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are increasingly recognized as environmental contaminants. Methods to assess the risks associated with the acquisition or transfer of resistance mechanisms are still underdeveloped. Quantification of background levels of antibiotic resistance genes and what alters those is a first step in understanding our environmental resistome. Toward this goal, 62 samples were collected over 3 years from soils near the 30-year old Gondwana Research Station and for 4 years before and during development of the new Jang Bogo Research Station, both at Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica. These sites reflect limited and more extensive human impact, respectively. A qPCR array with 384 primer sets targeting antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was used to detect and quantify these genes. A total of 73 ARGs and MGEs encompassing eight major antibiotic resistance gene categories were detected, but most at very low levels. Antarctic soil appeared to be a common reservoir for seven ARGs since they were present in most samples (42%-88%). If the seven widespread genes were removed, there was a correlation between the relative abundance of MGEs and ARGs, more typical of contaminated sites. There was a relationship between ARG content and distance from both research stations, with a significant effect at the Jang Bogo Station especially when excluding the seven widespread genes; however, the relative abundance of ARGs did not increase over the 4 year period. Silt, clay, total organic carbon, and SiO2were the top edaphic factors that correlated with ARG abundance. Overall, this study identifies that human activity and certain soil characteristics correlate with antibiotic resistance genes in these oligotrophic Antarctic soils and provides a baseline of ARGs and MGEs for future comparisons.
authors: Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China.
authors: Fang
authors: F
authors: Wang
authors: Robert D
authors: RD
authors: Stedtfeld
authors: Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute , Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors: Ok-Sun
authors: OS
authors: Kim
authors: Benli
authors: B
authors: Chai
authors: Luxi
authors: L
authors: Yang
authors: Tiffany M
authors: TM
authors: Stedtfeld
authors: Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute , Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors: Soon Gyu
authors: SG
authors: Hong
authors: Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute , Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dockyu
authors: D
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Geological Sciences, Pusan National University , Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyoun Soo
authors: HS
authors: Lim
authors: Syed A
authors: SA
authors: Hashsham
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Tiedje
authors: Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University , Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea.
authors: Woo Jun
authors: WJ
authors: Sul
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012987:Soil; D012822:Silicon Dioxide