This new book will present a collection of relevant discussions of the most up-to-date research on the subject of antimicrobial resistance in wastewater treatment processes. The behavior and fate of antibiotic compounds, genetic elements of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial resistant organisms through the wastewater treatment process will be included in chapters prepared by experts in this field of research. Various wastewater treatment technologies will be described and compared as effective means to reduce the contaminant load that can alter antimicrobial resistance patterns in bacteria resident in the receiving environment.
Examination of disinfection technologies for wastewater treatment processes will be presented in the context of environmental engineering process operations. The important factors in the microbial ecology that potentially influence the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria involved in secondary treatment technologies will be explored. Land application of biosolids derived from wastewater treatment processes will be examined as a potential driver for selection of antimicrobial resistance in the bacteria population of terrestrial ecosystems. The role of wastewater treatment effluents in the selection for antimicrobial resistance in aqueous environments will be discussed as these relate to human health and ecosystem health risk assessments. The lessons learned from application of existing wastewater treatment processes to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance will be presented for the information of those responsible for building new wastewater treatment facilities in the developing world.
The book will follow a structure organized around three axes; sources, fate and effects of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance genes and antimicrobial resistant organisms. Sources will cover antibiotics, antimicrobial resistant organisms, antimicrobial resistance genes, and microbial ecology of wastewater treatment processes. Fate will cover presence and persistence of antibiotics, antibiotic restistant organisms, and antibiotic resistant genes through the treatment process, as well as gene transfer and unit operations influence on removal of antibiotics, antibiotic restistant organisms, and antibiotic resistant genes. Effects will discuss disinfection strategies, impacts on the receiving environment, land application of biosolids and irrigation of treated wastewater. All three of these will help the book address risks posed to human health and ecosystem health.
