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Microplastic-associated biofilms in a river catchment: Diversity, public health impact, and ecosystem risks
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Researchers used environmental DNA analysis to study biofilm-forming microorganisms on microplastics in the Melen River catchment, a key water source for Istanbul. They found that polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common polymers year-round, and these surfaces harbored pathogenic bacteria including Acinetobacter and Flavobacterium. The study highlights that microplastics serve as vectors for harmful microorganisms, posing risks to both public health and aquatic ecosystems.
Microplastics (MPs) serve as vectors for microbial colonization and biofilm formation, posing risks to aquatic environments and public health. This study investigated the seasonal dynamics of biofilm-forming microorganisms in the Melen River catchment - a vital water source for the cosmopolitan city of İstanbul - using an environmental DNA (e-DNA) approach, which analyzes genetic material present in the environment to detect and study organisms. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the most prevalent polymers year-round, supporting the attachment of bacterial genera such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Paludibacter, and Undibacterium. A total of 70,366 and 83,327 genera were identified from water and MPs samples, respectively. The presence of pathogens such as Acinetobacter and Flavobacterium on MPs underscores significant threats to public health and aquatic food webs. Functional predictions made using PICRUSt2, a bioinformatics tool that infers metabolic pathways from 16S rRNA gene sequences, suggested that biofilm-forming bacteria on plastic surfaces may be involved in fermentation, vitamin biosynthesis, nucleoside and nucleotide degradation, and secondary metabolite degradation. These findings provide crucial insights into the ecological and health risks associated with MPs, emphasizing the role of these particles in harboring pathogens, influencing biofilm formation, and contributing to plastic degradation. This study highlights the urgent need to address MPs contamination in freshwater ecosystems to mitigate its environmental and public health risks within the framework of the 'One Health' approach.
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Increasing microplastics pollution: An emerging vector for potentially pathogenic bacteria in the environment
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Researchers collected microplastics from a river basin in Turkey and found that disease-causing bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus, readily form colonies on plastic particle surfaces. This means microplastics floating in water can act as tiny rafts carrying harmful bacteria, potentially increasing infection risks when contaminated water is used for drinking or recreation.
Changes in microplastic-associated bacterial communities along a salinity gradient in Central Anatolian lakes of Türkiye
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Researchers examined bacterial communities growing on microplastic surfaces across 11 Turkish lakes spanning a wide range of salinity levels. They found that Pseudomonadaceae bacteria dominated the microplastic biofilms, and several salt-tolerant pathogenic species were detected on plastic surfaces even in highly saline lakes. The study highlights that microplastics can serve as vehicles for potentially harmful bacteria across diverse freshwater environments.
Riverine microplastic and microbial community compositions: A field study in the Netherlands
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Researchers collected microplastic samples from the Dutch section of the Rhine River and analyzed the microbial communities living on them. The study found an average of over 213,000 microplastic particles per cubic meter of water, with polyamide and PVC being the most common types. Larger microplastics hosted distinctly different bacterial communities compared to the surrounding water, including biofilm-forming species and potential pathogens, raising concerns about microplastics as vehicles for harmful microorganisms.
Distinct profile of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in Ganjiang River at the watershed level
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Researchers investigated microplastic pollution and associated bacterial communities, human pathogenic bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes across the Ganjiang River watershed. They found microplastics were widely distributed with an average of 407 particles per cubic meter, and that microplastic surfaces harbored significantly higher bacterial diversity and more antibiotic resistance genes than surrounding water or sediment.
Early colonization and temporal development of biofilms on microplastics: Influence of polymer type, season, and surrounding land use
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Researchers placed five types of plastic in urban rivers and lakes during winter and summer, tracking microbial communities that grew on them over 60 days. Bacterial communities changed over time and with season, plastic type, and surrounding land use, with biodegradable plastic showing distinct patterns and water pH linked to communities at later stages.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.