Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Form Composite Pollution in Landfills
Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are widely coexisting and interacting in landfills, creating a novel form of composite pollution. This interaction is a growing concern, as landfills serve as significant reservoirs for both microplastics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The presence of microplastics in these environments can facilitate the spread and persistence of ARGs, which are genetic elements that enable bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics. Studies have shown that hospital sewage, a common input to landfills, is a hotspot for multidrug-resistant bacteria, exhibiting high resistance rates to common antibiotics like Augmentin, Ampicillin, and Chloramphenicol. The complex environment of landfills, with their diverse microbial communities and chemical compositions, provides conditions conducive to the exchange of genetic material, including ARGs, between bacteria. This phenomenon is exacerbated by factors such as the excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, inappr... 
