Investigating the Prevalence and Impact of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Hudson River: A Study of Environmental Contamination and Water Quality

Authors: Crystal Edwards, Shalini Varma

SUNY Campus: Hudson Valley Community College

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 48

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: The presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments poses a growing threat to public health and ecosystem integrity. Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to human health. The Hudson River, like many water bodies near urban and agricultural areas, is susceptible to contamination from both point-source pollution (such as sewage treatment plants) and non-point-source pollution (such as agricultural runoff). This makes it an ideal location to study the spread and impact of ARGs in a freshwater ecosystem. In this study we plan to investigate the prevalence and diversity of ARGs in the Hudson River using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 16S rRNA primers, as well as primers for 4 targeted ARGs (sul1, blatem, tetM and ermB) in Hudson water, and sediment from various locations along the river. Additionally, the relationship between the abundance or absence of ARGs and water quality parameters, particularly nitrate and phosphate concentrations, using spectrophotometric assays are being explored. Water samples were collected from multiple sites along the Hudson River, including areas impacted by urban wastewater discharges and agricultural runoff. PCR was used to detect the presence of ARGs, along with specific bacterial markers (E. coli and Enterococci). Simultaneously, nitrate and phosphate levels were measured via standard spectrophotometric methods. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive monitoring of both microbial contamination and water quality parameters to better understand the environmental dynamics of antibiotic resistance.