Sediment as a vector for antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in rivers

The problems posed by widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have recently been acknowledged by the UK Prime Minister, Chief Medical Officer of England, WHO, academics, and clinicians. Much of the problem is linked to transmission of antibiotic resistance genes within the human population, such as in the hospital environment. However, a proportion of the antibiotics given to humans and farm animals are excreted as intact parent molecules and can escape treatment in sewage treatment plants (STPs) or the soil and enter water courses. This is also possible for antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) excreted by patients and farm animals. Given that some of these substances/organisms bind to particulates, river processes that determine the transport, subsequent deposition and sorting of sediment are likely to strongly influence their distribution in space and time. Of particular interest may be the transport of these substances from rivers to floodplains during flood events when contact with people, livestock and crops will be enhanced.

Bulk river sediment downstream of STPs has revealed much higher prevalence of ARGs and ARBs than a sample just upstream of the STP outfall. There has been no research to date that examines the distribution of ARG/Bs and the antibiotics in the highly impacted tributaries of the River Thames during different seasons and weather conditions over multiple years. The molecular analysis of antibiotic resistance genes by metagenomics and quantitative real time PCR and culture-based work will provide insight into the relative role of different AMR pathways in establishing, maintaining and disseminating AMR drivers in the environment.

Training
The SPITFIRE DTP programme provides comprehensive personal and professional development training alongside extensive opportunities for students to expand their multi-disciplinary outlook through interactions with a wide network of academic, research and industrial/policy partners. The student will be registered at the University of Southampton and hosted at the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology at Wallingford. Specific training will include: principles of hydro-geomorphology and sediment transport, microbial ecology, molecular biology, and the ecology and drivers of antibiotic resistance. The student will join a vibrant community of over 15 other PhDs working in a range of hydrological and ecological areas at CEH.

The majority of the research will be conducted at CEH Wallingford, with field sites on several sub-catchments of the Thames Catchment, including River Ray, Lambourn, Thame and Kennet, but in close collaboration with the University of Southampton. The student will undergo training to learn each of the molecular approaches employed by the NERC project as well as model development. The student will be invited to all relevant project meetings to maximise the synergy between on-going projects. Training will also be given with respect to sampling river sediments and determining their characteristics (particle size, mass and organic fraction).

Comprehensive training on personal and professional development will be included as a component of the Spitfire DTP programme. The student would be encouraged to participate in workshops, conferences, elective training courses from learning and development (e.g., academic writing, networking, data management, modelling/statistics, endnote), formally assessed courses and informal opportunities.

Requirements
Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a 2.1 degree or higher. If you have a 2.2 degree, but have also obtained a masters qualification, you are also eligible. Substantial relevant post-graduate experience may also be sufficient, please contact the supervisors for more information.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter stating your suitability for the project to the project supervisor: Andrew Singer (acsi at ceh.ac.uk)