Antibiotic Resistance Genes – An Emerging Genetic Pollutant of LFL.

Landfilling is the most popular, economical and simple method for disposing a wide range of waste, which on the other hand beyond doubt serves as a reservoir of toxic substances. The leachate that are released from the contaminants affects the surrounding soil, groundwater and human health. Apart from harbouring contaminants from different sources like pharmaceuticals, medical, livestock, domestic wastes, heavy metals etc., landfill leachates (LFLs) facilitate the survival and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Due to the increased population which is directly proportional to the amount of waste produced requires more stringent protocol for the control and treatment of waste that is being dumped. The current review illustrates a panoramic view on the ARGs in the LFLs that includes the occurrence, source, treatment technologies and the scientometrics to analyse the research hotspots. The literature survey confirmed that only a limited number of studies have been reported so far for removal of ARGs in LFLs and still search for a cost effective, streamlined and ubiquitous method of treatment has never ceased. This could be due to the increase as well as the detrimental nature of ARGs, hence a few suitable methods already proposed for removal of ARGs from various sources and their challenges have also been discussed, to provide an insight of different methods to be investigated in LFLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]