Antibiotic resistance genes have been found across the world’s oceans, according to researchers from the Italian-led SeA Care project. The findings were presented at the United Nations Ocean Conference and are based on the analysis of more than 4,000 seawater samples collected from over 140 locations across the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, and Indian Oceans. Researchers detected antibiotic resistance genes even in remote Arctic waters, suggesting that these genetic markers are widespread throughout marine environments.
Higher concentrations were identified near densely populated coastlines and major shipping routes. The study suggests that oceans may act as global reservoirs for land-based pollution and could facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes over long distances through ocean currents. In addition to resistance genes, researchers detected microplastics,…
