Wensi Zhang

Ms. Wensi Zhang


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 September 2024 in Water
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Bharat MannaBharat Manna
Bharat Manna
EJEmma Jay
Emma Jay
WZWensi Zhang
Wensi Zhang
XZXueyang Zhou
Xueyang Zhou
BLBoyu Lyu
Boyu Lyu
Naresh SinghalNaresh Singhal
Naresh Singhal
Climate change threatens freshwater ecosystems, potentially intensifying cyanobacterial blooms and antibiotic resistance. We investigated these risks in Cosseys Reservoir, New Zealand, using short-term warming simulations (22 °C, 24 °C, and 27 °C) with additional oxidative stress treatments. A metagenomic analysis revealed significant community shifts under warming. The cyanobacterial abundance increased from 6.11% to 20.53% at 24 °C, with Microcystaceae and Nostocaceae proliferating considerably. The microcystin synthesis gene (mcy) cluster showed a strong association with cyanobacterial abundance. Cyanobacteria exhibited enhanced nutrient acquisition (pstS gene) and an upregulated nitrogen metabolism under warming. Concurrently, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) increased, particularly multidrug resistance genes (50.82% of total ARGs). A co-association network analysis identified the key antibiotic-resistant bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baylyi) and ARGs (e.g., acrB, MexK, rpoB2, and bacA) central to resistance dissemination under warming conditions. Oxidative stress exacerbated both cyanobacterial growth and ARGs’ proliferation, especially efflux pump genes (e.g., acrB, adeJ, ceoB, emrB, MexK, and muxB). This study demonstrated that even modest warming (2–5 °C) could promote both toxic cyanobacteria and antibiotic resistance. These findings underscore the synergistic effects of temperature and oxidative stress posed by climate change on water quality and public health, emphasizing the need for targeted management strategies in freshwater ecosystems. Future research should focus on long-term impacts and potential mitigation measures.