| AD | anaerobic digestion |
| Ag | silver |
| AMR | antimicrobial resistance |
| AMPs | antimicrobial peptides |
| ARB | antimicrobial-resistant bacteria |
| ARG | antimicrobial-resistant gene |
| As | arsenic |
| CAP | cationic antimicrobial peptide |
| Cd | cadmium |
| Co | cobalt |
| Cr | chromium |
| Cu | copper |
| ESBL | extended-spectrum β-lactamase |
| Hg | mercury |
| HGT | horizontal gene transfer |
| MGE | mobile genetic element |
| Mo | molybdenum |
| MRSA | methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus |
| MRG | metal resistant gene |
| MVC | microbial volatile compound |
| Ni | nickel |
| Pb | lead |
| ROS | reactive oxygen species |
| Sn | tin |
| SCV | small-colony variants |
| TCS | two-component system |
| V | vanadium |
| Zn | zinc |