Work

Effects of Triclosan and Biosolids on Microbial Community Composition in an Agricultural Soil

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used antimicrobial agent found at high concentrations in biosolids produced during municipal wastewater treatment. The effect of adding TCS, in the presence or absence of biosolids, on the composition of an agricultural soil microbial community was measured using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). Most changes observed in microbial community composition were attributable to the addition of biosolids or to the passage of time, with smaller changes due to TCS exposure, regardless of the presence of biosolids. TCS slightly reduced the relative abundance of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, with or without biosolids. Bacteria were more sensitive than eukaryotes, consistent with the mode of action of TCS, which selectively targets fatty acid synthesis and disrupts cell membranes of bacteria. TCS slightly increased biomarkers of microbial stress, but stress biomarkers were lower in all biosolid treated soils, presumably due to increased availability of nutrients mitigating potential TCS toxicity.

Source: Water Environment Research

DOI: 10.2175/106143012x13560205144335

Authors: Inmyoung Park, Nannan Zhang, Temitope A. Ogunyoku, Thomas M. Young, Kate M. Scow

Institution: University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of California, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Award: Biomarkers of Exposure to Hazardous Substances