Antibiotic Resistance

Beneath the spectacular waters of Patagonia’s Comau Fjord lives a hidden universe of microbes that regulate our climate, cycle nutrients, and bear the fingerprints of human activity. Here is what we found — and why it matters.

The Comau Fjord is an estuarine system located in Northern Patagonia (42ºS), Chile. In this research project, we use the Comau Fjord as a model of anthropogenic impact because, while the land surrounding the fjord is protected (National Parks; private conservation), the fjord itself is home to the salmon/trout aquaculture industry. Aquaculture in Chile is known for using escesive amounts of antibiotics, where these are administered through medicated feed, and thus, excess goes to the fjord waters where it impacts the ecosystem.