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Pathogenic Bacteria In Aquatic Ecosystems: Threats And Mitigation Approaches
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This review examined pathogenic bacteria in aquatic ecosystems — including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid pathogens — and assessed the threats they pose to public health globally, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation, alongside potential mitigation strategies.
Aquatic ecosystems play a crucial role in human health and the environment, yet they are increasingly threatened by pathogenic bacteria originating from sewage, agricultural runoff, and other sources. These waterborne pathogens pose significant public health risks, causing diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever, and contribute to millions of illnesses and deaths annually worldwide (World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). Factors like inadequate sanitation infrastructure in developing regions, climate change-driven shifts in pathogen distribution, and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria exacerbate the challenges (Fenwick, 2006; Martínez-Urtaza et al., 2023; Larsson & Flach, 2022). This paper reviews the types and sources of pathogenic bacteria found in freshwater and marine environments, the threats they pose to human populations and aquatic life, and current mitigation approaches. Key bacterial pathogens – including Vibrio cholerae, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella – are discussed alongside their transmission routes and health impacts. The analysis highlights emerging concerns such as climate-related increases in Vibrio infections and the role of microplastics as vectors for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. Mitigation strategies are examined, ranging from improved water treatment and sanitation systems to nature-based solutions like wetland filtration and better watershed management. An integrated approach combining infrastructure development, ecosystem conservation, public health interventions, and policy enforcement is essential to reduce the burden of waterborne diseases. Ensuring access to safe water and implementing effective control measures can protect public health and preserve aquatic ecosystem integrity for future generations.
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This review paper pulls together existing research showing how pollution from sewage, farm runoff, factories, and plastic waste is contaminating our water sources with harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics. These pollutants don't just harm fish and wildlife, they build up in the food chain and end up in our drinking water, increasing risks of cancer, developmental problems, and waterborne diseases like cholera. The takeaway: protecting water quality through better regulations and cleaner practices isn't just an environmental issue, it's directly tied to protecting human health, especially for communities with limited access to clean water.
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Researchers demonstrated that the cholera-causing bacterium Vibrio cholerae can survive on plastic waste in environments resembling urban dump sites and then transfer into floodwater. They found that toxin-producing strains persisted on plastic surfaces and remained infectious when released into simulated flood conditions. The findings suggest that plastic pollution in flood-prone areas may contribute to cholera outbreaks by serving as a reservoir for the pathogen.
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