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Exploring plastic biofilm formation and Escherichia coli colonisation in marine environments
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This study investigated E. coli colonization of plastic pellets from a polluted beach in seawater aquaria, finding that diverse bacterial communities rapidly formed biofilms within 24 hours. E. coli persisted for up to 7 days on the plastic surfaces, demonstrating that plastic debris can serve as a reservoir and transport vector for fecal pathogens in marine environments.
Microorganisms, including potential pathogens, can colonise plastic surfaces in aquatic environments. This study investigates the colonisation of plastic pellets by Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a proxy for faecal pathogens in aquatic environments. Plastic pellets from a polluted beach were placed in seawater aquaria spiked with E. coli. Diverse bacteria, primarily from the Proteobacteria phylum, rapidly colonised the pellets within 24 h, with notable species known for plastic or hydrocarbon degradation. Over 26 days, biofilms formed on the plastic surfaces, reaching bacterial populations of up to 6.8·105 gene copies (gc) of the 16S rRNA mm-2. E. coli, was detected in the pellets for up to 7 days using culture methods, exhibiting varying attachment densities regardless of source or environmental factors. The study highlights plastic biofilms as reservoirs for E. coli, contributing to the survival and persistence of faecal bacteria in aquatic systems. These findings deepen our understanding of the risks associated with plastic pollution in marine settings, offering insights into the behaviour of faecal indicators and their implications for water quality assessments, while providing valuable information on potential pathogen dissemination within plastic-associated microbial communities.
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Colonisation of plastic pellets (nurdles) by E. coli at public bathing beaches
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Researchers mapped the distribution of plastic resin pellets (nurdles) at five public bathing beaches and found that all sites harbored pellets colonized by E. coli and Vibrio bacteria, suggesting that the plastisphere — the biofilm community on plastic surfaces — could serve as a dispersal vector for pathogenic and fecal indicator organisms in coastal environments.
From wastewater discharge to the beach: Survival of human pathogens bound to microplastics during transfer through the freshwater-marine continuum
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Researchers investigated how human pathogens survive on microplastic surfaces as they travel from wastewater treatment plants through freshwater into marine environments. They found that the biofilm environment on plastic surfaces helped bacteria like E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis persist longer during transitions between water types compared to bacteria in the surrounding water. The study suggests that microplastics may facilitate the environmental spread of pathogens by providing a protective habitat during transport.
Bacterial colonisation dynamics of household plastics in a coastal environment
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This study tracked how quickly and what kinds of bacteria colonized common household plastics (including bottles, bags, and packaging) placed in a coastal estuary environment. Bacteria colonized all plastic types within days, and the communities that formed included potential human pathogens. Plastic-associated bacterial communities in coastal environments could pose public health risks through seafood contamination or contact with polluted water.
Survival of human pathogens bound to microplastics during transfer through the freshwater-marine continuum: from wastewater discharge to the beach
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Researchers tracked survival of E. coli, E. faecalis, and P. aeruginosa colonizing polyethylene microplastics as particles were transferred through a series of mesocosms simulating downstream transport from wastewater effluent through freshwater, estuary, seawater, and beach sand. All three pathogens survived the full environmental transition sequence in the plastisphere, with higher bacterial concentrations on microplastics than on glass controls, though die-off rates did not differ by substrate, demonstrating microplastics' potential to extend pathogen persistence across environmental boundaries.
Biofilm formation of food borne pathogens on plastic surfaces: An in situ and ex situ evaluation
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Scientists found that harmful gut bacteria, including E. coli, can easily stick to plastic surfaces and form protective colonies called biofilms—even when the plastic is just sitting in plain water. This matters because plastic waste in the environment, including tiny plastic fragments, could be acting as a floating breeding ground for foodborne germs, potentially spreading illness through waterways, oceans, and the food chain. The findings add another reason to reduce plastic pollution and improve waste management, both for environmental health and to limit human exposure to disease-causing bacteria.
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