Occurrence of antibiotics and antibiotic resistances in soils from wastewater irrigation areas in Beijing and Tianjin, China

Non-irrigated and wastewater-irrigated soils were collected from five wastewater irrigation areas in Beijing and Tianjin, China. The concentrations of sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline in the soils were determined. Abundances of antibiotic resistant bacteria and corresponding resistance genes were also measured to examine the impact of wastewater irrigation. No significant difference in antibiotic resistance bacteria was observed between irrigated and non-irrigated soils. However, the concentrations of antibiotics and abundances of resistance genes were significantly greater in irrigated soils, indicating that agricultural activities enhanced the occurrence of antibiotics and resistance genes in the soils. In addition, no significant difference was observed between previously and currently wastewater-irrigated soils. Therefore, cessation of wastewater irrigation did not significantly reduce the levels of antibiotic concentrations and resistance gene abundances. Other factors, e.g., manure application, may explain the lack of significant difference in the occurrence of antibiotics and resistance genes between previously and currently wastewater-irrigated soils. •Impact of wastewater irrigation on occurrence of antibiotic resistance studied.•ARB abundances in irrigated and non-irrigated soils not significantly different.•Occurrences of antibiotics and resistance genes much higher in irrigated soils.•No significant difference between previously and currently irrigated soils.•Positive correlations between resistance gene and antibiotics occurrences. The concentrations of antibiotics and abundances of resistance genes were significantly greater in irrigated than in non-irrigated soils in Beijing and Tianjin, China.