The group of ZHU Yongguan from the CAS Institute of Urban Environment has mapped 381 antibiotic resistance genes in 116 urban sewage samples taken from 32 wastewater treatment plants across 17 Chinese major cities. Urban sewage had high levels of antimicrobial resistance genes – around 1011-1012 copies per liter – with a distinct seasonal pattern. The graph shows log antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) in copies/day divided by total urban population.

CAS news release, July 28, 2017