A review of antibiotic accumulation, degradation and ecological risk in typical mangrove ecosystems.
Sun X, Huang X, Li H, Tan C, Lu W
Summary
PubMedWhy it matters This matters because mangroves filter the coastal water that feeds fisheries and beaches you may visit, and antibiotic pollution is quietly undermining that natural cleaning system — potentially affecting the seafood on your plate and the health of shorelines worldwide.
Mangrove forests along tropical and subtropical coasts are natural filters that trap and break down antibiotics washed in from farms, cities, and hospitals. Scientists reviewed dozens of studies and found that these forests aren't actually cleaning up antibiotics much better than the bare mudflats next to them — meaning they're being overwhelmed. On top of that, the antibiotic pollution is messing with the forest's ability to recycle nutrients and is spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria through the ecosystem.
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Mangrove forests accumulate and break down antibiotic pollution, but a large analysis found their contamination levels are similar to nearby mudflats — suggesting these ecosystems are under more stress than previously assumed. The review calls for tighter pollution controls and more research into how multiple contaminants interact in these coastal forests.
Key Findings
Meta-analysis found no significant difference in antibiotic concentrations between mangrove forests and adjacent intertidal mudflats, suggesting accumulation and degradation processes are closely balanced rather than mangroves acting as net filters.
Sediment properties such as texture and organic matter content are the primary drivers of antibiotic buildup, while bacterial groups like Proteobacteria and Achromobacter are key to breaking antibiotics down — but their efficiency is reduced by salinity, temperature, heavy metals, and microplastics.
Antibiotic contamination disrupts carbon and nitrogen cycling and water purification in mangroves, and promotes the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), creating cascading ecological risks throughout the ecosystem.
Abstract Preview
Mangrove ecosystems, characterized by unique biogeochemical conditions, act as critical zones for intercepting and processing antibiotic contaminants. This study synthesizes existing research using...
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A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows mainly in coastal saline or brackish water. Mangroves grow in an equatorial climate, typically along coastlines and tidal rivers. They have particular adaptations to take in extra oxygen and remove salt, allowing them to tolerate conditions that kill most ...