Quantification of class 1 integrons and characterization of the associated gene cassettes in the high Arctic – Interplay of humans and glaciers in shaping the aquatic resistome

The Arctic is one of the regions most affected by global climate change, and subjected to changes linked with a melting cryosphere increasing anthropopressure. Although antibiotic resistance problem, diversity spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), genes (ARGs) integrons in are strongly understudied. Therefore, main aims this study (1) determination type frequency integron-integrase characterization incorporated gene cassettes genomes culturable (2) quantitative analysis class 1 human mitochondrial DNA (Hmt-DNA) metagenome as markers anthropogenic impact on high environments Svalbard Archipelago. Samples ice, water sediments were collected populated area Svalbard, Longyearbyen its vicinity. Sampling was conducted along an environmental gradient varying levels activity. started from glaciers, following proglacial river, seashore, fjord bottom water, including untreated wastewater outflow sea. Class detected ARB isolated glacial environments, freshwater seawater, outflow. Moreover, variable integrons, determining different functions, resistance, virulence physiological traits found. These play crucial roles adaptation cold dynamic environments. relative abundance intI1 reported metagenomes relationships activity (ice cores vs outflow), highest mean values observed outflow, positively correlated Hmt gene, revealing both natural shaping polar aquatic resistome.