Effects of sulfonamide antibiotics on aquatic microbial community composition and functions

Knowledge on interactions among microbial communities colonizing various streambed substrata (e.g. cobbles, sediment, leaf-litter etc.) is essential when investigating the functioning of stream ecosystems. However, these are often forgotten assessing responses aquatic to chemical contamination. Using a microcosm approach, respective impact two sulfonamide antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine) ability heterotrophs decompose alder leaves was investigated in presence or absence periphyton. Our hypothesis suggested that sulfonamides would negatively impair litter decomposition periphyton could possibly alleviate this effect by stimulating decomposer activity through priming effect. Results showed enriched water with oxygen labile dissolved organic carbon forms. sources did not stimulate but mostly decoupled from particulate matter negative priming. Also, molecules affect process significantly decreased bacterial biomass accrual leaves. The reduction bacteria concomitant an increase biomass-specific β-glucosidase attributed stress response sulfonamides. Further research looking at provide for better assessment contamination effects processes