Arsenic and cadmium as predominant factors shaping the distribution patterns of antibiotic resistance genes in polluted paddy soils

[Display omitted] •Diverse ARGs were detected in arsenic and cadmium polluted paddy soils.•Pollution index of arsenic and cadmium had significant correlations with ARGs abundance.•The heavy metal arsenic exerted a stronger effect on ARGs than cadmium.•Bacterial abundance and MGEs are two major factors shaping ARGs in paddy soils. Heavy metals have been recognized as potential factors driving the evolution and development of antibiotic resistance. However, the relative effects of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) on the prevalence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remain unclear. We investigated the co-selection effects of Cd and As on ARGs in 45 paddy soils polluted by heavy metals, using high-throughput quantitative PCR. A total of 119 ARGs and 9 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were detected in all samples. Regression analysis showed that the single pollution index (PIAs and PICd) and Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) both had significant and positive correlations with ARGs (P