Occurrence and distribution of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance determinants in coastal environments

The occurrence of antibiotic compounds in coastal environments is of great concern since most of the pollutant discharges flow into the ocean. The immediate effect of antibiotic release in marine environments is believed to be the selection of resistant bacteria leading to the evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The explosive mixture of antibiotics and other pollutants working as coselection drivers (e.g., disinfectants, metals, and microplastics) may result in multidrug resistance when a strain acquires resistance to several classes of antibiotics, as well as to other antimicrobials. This issue represents a cross-border threat that requires global solutions. In this chapter, we review the pollution sources as well as the fate and behavior of both antibiotics and AMR in bacteria throughout the transition from terrestrial to marine environment. Lastly, the importance of wastewater treatment and aquaculture activities in antibiotic pollution and development and spread of antibiotic resistances is also highlighted through separate case studies.