Antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs) may cause serious threat to public health,which are regarded as an emerging contaminant.Their presence and propagation in aquatic environment have attracted great attention.Increasing studies show that intracellular ARGs and extracellular ARGs exhibit different distribution patterns and environmental behaviours.It is necessary to investigate their pollution statuses for a comprehensive understanding of ARGs propagation in aquatic environment.The mechanisms of five common microbial DNA extraction methods and their applications in the detection of intracellular and extracellular ARGs in water samples are summarized in this study.The contamination status and migration propagation characteristics of intracellular and extracellular ARGs in three typical aquatic environments,i-e.sewage system,surface fresh water system and marine system are compared.The basic information regarding the technological means and pollution status of ARGs pollution in aquatic environment is provided in this review,which is of great significance for the control of ARGs in aquatic environment.