Recently,the water quantity research group of Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully built the HGT (horizontal gene transfer) model. The scientists had made a systematic study on the effect of two normal disinfectants (UV and chlorine) which were always used in treating potablewater on HGT. The research result was published on Water Research.

As a new type of environmental pollutant, ARGs(antibiotic resistance genes) has been widely detected in potable water systemwhich would seriously threaten the human public health. Moreover, the ARG scould be distributed within bacteria by MGEs (mobile genetic elements) whichwas known as HGT and it would further expand the risk. So the horizontal transfer of ARGs in potable water system has become an increasing concern.

The research found that UV and chlorine could reduce the horizontal transfer rate of ARGs. The UV and higher level of chlorine(0.3~0.5mg/L) reduced the horizontal transfer rate by decreasing the number of donor bacteria. While the low level of chlorine(0.05~0.2mg/L) has slowlyinhibited HGT by reducing the expression of related genes. The research resulth as an important significance on evaluating the real health risk of ARGs inpotable water system and controlling the diffusion of ARGs.

Time:2016.2.20

Sources:China Science Daily