Paper short abstract:

Considering antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria/genes as emerging contaminants in agricultural landscapes, this paper explores potential anthropogenic transformations of microbial ecologies in integrated agro-ecosystems and their toxic effects on both local and distant populations.

Paper long abstract:

In rural areas of eastern China, human and veterinary antibiotics are easily accessible to villagers through over-the-counter purchases from local drug stores. Antibiotic exposure to humans, animals and the environment could accelerate the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria(ARB) and their antibiotic resistant genes(ARGs). These emerging contaminants circulate along with the material flows in the local integrated agro-ecosystems, creating "toxic environments" for the spread of antibiotic resistance infections. This paper explores how antibiotic resistant contamination can potentially transform microbial ecologies in villages where household livelihoods and small-scale agriculture are intertwined. Despite attempts by the local government to introduce the more hygienic flush toilets, villagers are more accustomed to using traditional dry toilets and recycling the excrement. Livestock manure is considered to have nourishing power for the land and vegetables, and is given as gifts to neighbours. The application of manure has the potential to introduce antibiotics and antibiotic resistant pathogens into the soil and water, and further contaminate microbes and other lifeforms in the environment. Vegetables, domesticated livestocks and wild caught fish and crabs eventually returned to the villagers' tables. Through leakage, circulation and transformation, anthropogenic antibiotic contaminants are dispersed into the environment and food chain, affecting the health of both local and distant populations.