Agricultural operations represent significant sources of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to flowing waters, for example via storage and land application of animal manures

Understanding the fate and transport of AMR in flowing waters is critical to inform manure management, land conservation, and monitoring practices. We propose a multiscale experimental approach to quantify degradation, transport, and sorption of AMR in controlled flowing water systems using recirculating mesocosms and experimental streams. This work uses the unique ND-leef facility with intermediate sized streams and watersheds to perform controlled fate experiments. Fate and transport experiments will be performed under varying water quality conditions, seasons, and stream substrates; the resulting data will be used to develop a state of the art stochastic transport model. We will measure both culture-based and molecular markers (i.e., antibiotic resistance genes) of AMR to observe differential fate of AMR markers. In addition, we will perform sampling and AMR quantification in natural flowing waters in pine creek watershed, michigan to both inform and field validate AMR fate and transport predictions. Finally, we will integrate fate and transport models across a gradient of environmental complexity to allow for AMR fate and transport predictions across varying conditions. We will use research activities and findings to develop education and extension modules about AMR, water quality, and conservation practices. Digital education modules will be developed with ND-learning and implemented through existing ND-leef educational activities. Extension modules will be developed and implemented in partnership with the van buren conservation district, the site of pine creek watershed sampling.?