Diversity and functional genomic insights into antimicrobial resistance and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation genes in the Red Sea coast microbial community

Introduction

The Red Sea is a unique oligotrophic marine ecosystem characterized by high salinity, elevated temperatures, and increasing anthropogenic pressures along its coastal regions. However, coastal sediment-associated microbial communities and their functional potential, particularly regarding antimicrobial resistance and aromatic compound degradation, remain insufficiently explored.