Metagenomics can enhance risk assessment by providing detailed information on:
Microbial Resistance: It helps in identifying genes associated with resistance to toxic substances, thus predicting potential risks associated with the spread of resistance genes in microbial communities. Ecotoxicological Effects: Understanding how microbial communities respond to toxicants at a genetic level allows for more accurate predictions of long-term ecological impacts. Exposure Pathways: Metagenomics can reveal how microbes influence the bioavailability and transformation of contaminants, informing exposure assessments.
