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<p>Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as vectors for co-contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, yet comprehensive data on their interactions with trace metals (TMs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes remain scarce in Southeast Asian freshwater systems. This study investigated MP levels, associated TMs, and AMR patterns in the Nhue–Day River basin, northern Vietnam—a heavily impacted agricultural watershed where contaminated water directly supplies irrigation and aquaculture operations. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from rivers and aquaculture ponds near industrial zones. MPs were extracted using density separation with CaCl<sub>2</sub> (<i>ρ</i> ~ 1.35&#xa0;g/cm<sup>3</sup>), enabling recovery of high-density polymers (PET, PVA, and nylon) frequently underestimated in previous Vietnamese studies using NaCl. MP concentrations ranged from 0.17 to 6.2&#xa0;µg L⁻<sup>1</sup> in water and from 3.74 to 31.2&#xa0;mg&#xa0;kg⁻<sup>1</sup> in sediments, with fishponds exhibiting 6.5-fold higher levels than rivers (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Eight TMs (Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, As, and Cu) were detected on MP surfaces (0.0004–42.8&#xa0;µg&#xa0;g⁻<sup>1</sup>), with concentrations correlating strongly with environmental pollution gradients and industrial proximity. Principal component analysis revealed distinct metal-MP associations: Pb and Cr exhibited constant correlations across both matrices, while the behavior of other metals was matrix-dependent, confirming MPs function as dynamic transport vectors. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding genes (<i>bla</i><sub>CTX-M</sub> and <i>bla</i><sub>TEM</sub>) were detected in water samples near industrial discharge points, though the direct MP-AMR association remained weak, potentially reflecting methodological limitations in biofilm extraction. Ecological risk assessment revealed moderate to considerable contamination (PLI: 1.67–2.92; PERI: 123–242), with the highest risks at industrial-influenced sites. This study provides critical baseline data demonstrating that MPs effectively transport TMs in agricultural watersheds and highlights urgent needs for regular monitoring programs in Vietnamese river systems utilized for food production.</p>

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Combined risks of microplastics, trace metals, and antimicrobial resistance in the Nhue–Day River Basin, Vietnam

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月2日

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  • Thao Thanh Le,
  • Hieu Hoai Vo,
  • Tram Thuy Nguyen,
  • Ha Thi Thu Hoang,
  • Martine Leermakers,
  • Yue Gao,
  • Huong Thi Thuy Ngo

摘要

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as vectors for co-contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, yet comprehensive data on their interactions with trace metals (TMs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes remain scarce in Southeast Asian freshwater systems. This study investigated MP levels, associated TMs, and AMR patterns in the Nhue–Day River basin, northern Vietnam—a heavily impacted agricultural watershed where contaminated water directly supplies irrigation and aquaculture operations. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from rivers and aquaculture ponds near industrial zones. MPs were extracted using density separation with CaCl2 (ρ ~ 1.35 g/cm3), enabling recovery of high-density polymers (PET, PVA, and nylon) frequently underestimated in previous Vietnamese studies using NaCl. MP concentrations ranged from 0.17 to 6.2 µg L⁻1 in water and from 3.74 to 31.2 mg kg⁻1 in sediments, with fishponds exhibiting 6.5-fold higher levels than rivers (p < 0.001). Eight TMs (Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, As, and Cu) were detected on MP surfaces (0.0004–42.8 µg g⁻1), with concentrations correlating strongly with environmental pollution gradients and industrial proximity. Principal component analysis revealed distinct metal-MP associations: Pb and Cr exhibited constant correlations across both matrices, while the behavior of other metals was matrix-dependent, confirming MPs function as dynamic transport vectors. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding genes (blaCTX-M and blaTEM) were detected in water samples near industrial discharge points, though the direct MP-AMR association remained weak, potentially reflecting methodological limitations in biofilm extraction. Ecological risk assessment revealed moderate to considerable contamination (PLI: 1.67–2.92; PERI: 123–242), with the highest risks at industrial-influenced sites. This study provides critical baseline data demonstrating that MPs effectively transport TMs in agricultural watersheds and highlights urgent needs for regular monitoring programs in Vietnamese river systems utilized for food production.