Soils with mercury contamination have many genes that help microbes resist antibiotics and toxic substances, regardless of how much mercury is present or the time of year.

Scientific Claim

Genes related to resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds are abundant in mercury-contaminated soils across different contamination levels and seasons.

Original Statement

“The fourth most abundant gene function in these Hg contaminated soils was for resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds (Fig. 9b).”

From study:A survey of bacterial and fungal community structure and functions in two long-term metalliferous soil habitats

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim describes observed abundance of specific gene functions without implying causation. 'Are abundant' appropriately describes the observed pattern.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

A survey of bacterial and fungal community structure and functions in two long-term metalliferous soil habitats

Cannot Determine

2025 Nov 25

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

A survey of bacterial and fungal community structure and functions in two long-term metalliferous soil habitats

Score: 8

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-25944-y

Similar Assertions

Soils with long-term mercury contamination may also have more bacteria that can resist antibiotics, because the same mechanisms that help with mercury resistance might also help with antibiotic resistance.

91%

Microbes in mercury-contaminated soil have more genes related to stress response, moving substances across cell membranes, and phosphate metabolism compared to less contaminated soils.

80%

The amount of mercury that can actually be taken up by organisms doesn't always match the total mercury in the soil, showing that the chemical form of mercury matters more than just how much is present.

78%

The bacteria Pedosphaera and Candidatus Solibacter are more common in soils with higher levels of bioavailable mercury.

73%

In soils with more mercury, there are fewer types of bacteria, but the variety of fungi stays about the same and is greatest in soils with the least mercury.

71%