Microplastics Pose an Elevated Antimicrobial Resistance Risk Than Natural Surfaces via a Systematic Comparative Study of Surface Biofilms in Rivers

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health threat, particularly in biofilm states on anthropogenic and natural surfaces. Microplastics (MPs) are particularly problematic due to their unique properties. A study comparing AMR risks on MPs and natural surfaces in an urban aquatic ecosystem found that MPs had a higher proportion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and high-risk genes. The study highlights the need for integrating plastic pollution control into AMR management strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of MPs pollution.