The article discusses the use of the class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution. intI1 is linked to genes conferring resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants, and heavy metals, and is found in a wide variety of pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria. Its abundance can change rapidly due to its host cells' rapid generation times and its ability to move between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. Additionally, a single DNA sequence variant of intI1 is now found on a wide diversity of xenogenetic elements, which are complex mosaic DNA elements fixed through human selection. The authors review the literature examining the relationship between anthropogenic impacts and the abundance of intI1, and outline an approach by which intI1 could serve as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution. They also discuss the evolutionary history of the class 1 integron, its role in antibiotic resistance, and its potential as a marker for anthropogenic pollution. The study highlights the importance of monitoring intI1 abundance as a proxy for human impact, as it is a good indicator of the general level of resistance determinants. The authors suggest that intI1 could be used as a marker for anthropogenic pollution, as it is a universal marker of selective pressures imposed by human activity. They also discuss the practical application of intI1 as a marker, including sample collection and processing, and the use of quantitative PCR to determine intI1 abundance. The study concludes that intI1 is a promising marker for anthropogenic pollution due to its unique advantages as a universal marker of selective pressures imposed by human activity.The article discusses the use of the class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution. intI1 is linked to genes conferring resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants, and heavy metals, and is found in a wide variety of pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria. Its abundance can change rapidly due to its host cells' rapid generation times and its ability to move between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. Additionally, a single DNA sequence variant of intI1 is now found on a wide diversity of xenogenetic elements, which are complex mosaic DNA elements fixed through human selection. The authors review the literature examining the relationship between anthropogenic impacts and the abundance of intI1, and outline an approach by which intI1 could serve as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution. They also discuss the evolutionary history of the class 1 integron, its role in antibiotic resistance, and its potential as a marker for anthropogenic pollution. The study highlights the importance of monitoring intI1 abundance as a proxy for human impact, as it is a good indicator of the general level of resistance determinants. The authors suggest that intI1 could be used as a marker for anthropogenic pollution, as it is a universal marker of selective pressures imposed by human activity. They also discuss the practical application of intI1 as a marker, including sample collection and processing, and the use of quantitative PCR to determine intI1 abundance. The study concludes that intI1 is a promising marker for anthropogenic pollution due to its unique advantages as a universal marker of selective pressures imposed by human activity.