Groundwater microbial diversity and antibiotic resistance linked to human population density in Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Author ORCID Identifier

Melissa Lenczewski:https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3549-4947

Publication Title

Canadian Journal of Microbiology

ISSN

00084166

E-ISSN

14803275

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Microbial community composition in selected karst groundwater sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, was assessed to determine the environmental variables influencing groundwater microbial diversity. The karst aquifer system is a groundwater-dependent ecosystem and is the world’s second largest underwater karst cave system. The area’s geology allows precipitation to infiltrate into the groundwater system and prevents accumulation of surface water; as such, groundwater is the only source of fresh water on the peninsula. The sampling locations consisted of three karst sinkholes that extend through the freshwater zone into the saline water, and an abandoned drinking water well of an ocean-side resort, during the dry and rainy seasons. The analysis showed that highly diverse microbial communities are present in the Yucatan groundwater, sustained by permanently warm temperatures and high nutrient input from human activity. Proximity to densely populated areas, such as tourist resorts, is the most important factor influencing both the diversity and presence of fecal bacteria and the antibiotic resistance profile.

First Page

46

Last Page

58

Publication Date

1-1-2020

DOI

10.1139/cjm-2019-0173

PubMed ID

31622563

Keywords

Antibiotic resistance, Groundwater, Karst, Microbial communities

Department

Department of Biological Sciences; Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences; Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy (Environmental Studies)

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS