National-scale investigation of microbiome and potential microbial contaminants on highway charging stations (PRJCA029389)
As the adoption of new energy vehicles (EV) proliferates, EV charging stations, pivotal in future transportation infrastructure, may pose a potential risk of microbial transmission for public health. However, the microbiome and distribution of human pathogens within these charging stations remain largely unexplored. In this study, we endeavor to investigate the distribution patterns and underlying drivers of microbial contaminants on charging pile surfaces across diverse highway service areas. The outcomes conclusively showcase the widespread distribution of human pathogenic bacteria (HPBs, 100%), human pathogenic fungi (HPFs, 49.21%), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs, 100%), and virulence factor genes (VFGs, 100%) on charging pile surfaces, emphasizing their pervasive presence. The hierarchical partitioning (HP) analysis reveals that the distribution of potential microbial contaminants on charging piles is driven by a multifaceted interplay of factors. Basic characteristics of highway service areas, particularly road network density and service area size, predominantly drive ARGs and VFGs dissemination. Biotic factors significantly regulate the distribution of HPBs, while climatic factors serve as the key driver of human pathogenic fungal community shifts. Moreover, our research examines the potential horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among microbial communities on charging stations, underscoring the central function of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in accelerating ARGs spread. Notably, the conducive warm-humid climate in low-latitude regions amplifies MGEs and ARGs enrichment and spread, intensifying public health concerns. These discoveries deepen our comprehension of microbial community distributions and potential assemblies on charging stations, establishing a scientific foundation for anticipatory assessments of their impacts on human health within highway systems.