MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Comprehensive whole metagenomics analysis uncovers microbial community and resistome variability across anthropogenically contaminated soils in urban and suburban areas of Tamil Nadu, India

Summary

Researchers analyzed soil samples from eight polluted locations in India to understand how microbes adapt to heavy metal and chemical contamination. They discovered that contaminated soils harbor many bacteria with antibiotic resistance genes and genes that help them survive toxic metals. The most common resistance mechanism was through special pumps that bacteria use to expel antibiotics. This research highlights how polluted environments become reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, emphasizing the need for targeted cleanup strategies to protect human and environmental health.

Background

Environmental contamination by heavy metals and hydrocarbons significantly impacts microbial diversity and soil functionality. Soils serve as major reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes, with environmental factors such as heavy metals and organic contaminants promoting horizontal gene transfer and stress resistance in microbial communities.

Objective

This study employs whole-genome metagenome sequencing to analyze microbial compositions, antibiotic resistance genes, heavy metal resistance genes, and virulence genes in soil samples from eight contaminated sites including gardens, poultry farms, cattle sheds, markets, hospitals, thermal power plants, paper industries, and waste disposal sites in Tamil Nadu, India.

Results

Heavy metal concentrations and hydrocarbons were positively correlated with Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and other phyla in contaminated sites. Multidrug resistance genes (MexD, MexC, MexE, MexF, MexT, CmeB, MdtB, MdtC, OprN) were prevalent, with efflux pump mechanisms accounting for 42% of antibiotic resistance. Virulence genes such as espR, regX3, sigA/rpoV, bap, and sugB were significantly prevalent, indicating microbial pathogenic potential in polluted ecosystems.

Conclusion

This study establishes a clear link between environmental pollution, microbial adaptations, and functional resilience in contaminated soils. Understanding microbial interactions and resistome variability is essential for developing targeted bioremediation strategies and assessing long-term ecological recovery in contaminated regions across urban and suburban areas.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Metagenomic Analysis Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41199948, PMCID: PMC12586116
Scroll to Top