How antibacterial resistant bacteria spreads resistance

It may seem like antibiotic use should not affect the ocean. But the reality is that antibiotics taken by humans, along with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, are excreted in our waste. They go to wastewater treatment plants where they are eventually released into streams, rivers, or the ocean. The influx of more antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria into the ocean creates sort of a soup where natural and newly introduced bacteria can interact. That increases the potential for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to exchange genetic material with other bacteria and spread antibiotic resistance in the ocean. That is a big concern if we want to live in a world where ear infections are not life-threatening and having surgery remains an option. (Illustration by Natalie Renier, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)