Hydrogen peroxide treatment mitigates antibiotic resistance gene and mobile genetic element propagation in mariculture sediment

Mariculture sediments have been exchange and propagation sources of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, no efficient methods have been generated to remove ARGs from sediments. Here, we explored the impact of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and aeration on the efficient removal of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in mariculture sediments. When compared with the aeration group, the ARG abundance was 3.8–32.3% lower in the H2O2 group during the first 14 days. ARG and MGE abundances were also significantly associated with reduced total bacterial population and diversity (P