We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Biofilm-associated microplastic contamination in rural soil and water: emerging hazards to ecosystems
ClearMicroplastics in fresh- and wastewater are potential contributors to antibiotic resistance - A minireview
Researchers reviewed the link between microplastic pollution and the spread of antibiotic resistance in freshwater environments, finding that microplastic surfaces host unique bacterial communities enriched in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the resistance genes they can share with other microbes. The close packing of bacteria in these plastic-surface biofilms may accelerate the spread of drug-resistant pathogens through drinking water sources, though the full health implications remain poorly understood.
Microplastic and POP contamination in rural waste-dumping sites, India
Researchers collected soil and water samples from unregulated waste-dumping sites in rural Tamil Nadu, India, finding microplastics in all samples, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water and agricultural land.
Susceptibility of a peri-urban water supply and sanitation system to selected emerging micropollutants
Researchers tested seven peri-urban water quality monitoring sites for emerging micropollutants including microplastics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, finding that while microplastics were absent from raw and treated tap water, they were present in raw sewage, raising environmental concerns about wastewater system discharges.
Insights into PET-Microplastics effect on pathogenic bacteria
Researchers exposed four common disease-causing bacteria to PET microplastics and found that the bacteria responded differently depending on the species and plastic concentration, with some growing faster in the presence of plastics. Notably, bacteria exposed to higher concentrations of PET microplastics developed increased resistance to multiple antibiotics, raising concerns about how environmental plastic pollution could contribute to the growing antibiotic resistance problem.
Emerging Issues on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Colonizing Plastic Waste in Aquatic Ecosystems
Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria colonizing plastic waste submerged in an inland water body, including species related to human pathogens like Klebsiella. All isolated bacteria showed high resistance to multiple antibiotics, and they carried numerous antibiotic resistance genes. This is concerning because plastic waste in waterways can serve as a platform for drug-resistant bacteria to multiply and potentially spread to humans through contaminated water.
Impact of Urbanization on Antibiotic Resistome in Different Microplastics: Evidence from a Large-Scale Whole River Analysis
Researchers conducted a large-scale river survey across urbanization gradients and characterized antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics from each zone, finding that urbanization level strongly predicted the diversity and abundance of resistance genes on plastic surfaces.
Growth and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in microplastic biofilm from wastewater treatment plant effluents
Researchers studied antibiotic-resistant bacteria growing in biofilms on microplastic surfaces in wastewater treatment plant effluent. The study found that microplastic biofilms accumulated antibiotic-resistant bacteria including Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Bacillus, and that these biofilms harbored higher concentrations of resistance genes compared to surrounding water, suggesting microplastics may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance in urban soils: Dynamics and mitigation strategies
This review examines how urban soils act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with microplastics identified as one of the sources spreading antibiotics and resistance genes through soil. The resistant bacteria can transfer to humans through direct contact, food, and water. The findings highlight an underappreciated way that microplastic pollution in cities could contribute to the growing antibiotic resistance crisis.
(Nano)microplastics promote the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in landfill leachate
Researchers found that (nano)microplastics in municipal landfill leachate actively promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, highlighting landfill sites as dual reservoirs of plastic pollution and antimicrobial resistance threats.
Characterization of microplastics and their interaction with antibiotics in wastewater
Researchers characterized microplastics in wastewater and investigated their interactions with antibiotics, examining how microplastic surfaces adsorb antibiotic compounds and the implications for antibiotic transport and dissemination in wastewater treatment systems.
Plastic debris facilitates the survival of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens in an urban agricultural environment
Researchers investigating urban farms in Tanzania found that plastic debris in soil and water harbored significantly higher concentrations of dangerous bacteria — including E. coli and Salmonella — than the surrounding soil or water, and that 69% of those bacteria were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The findings show that plastic waste can act as a reservoir that concentrates drug-resistant pathogens, posing risks to both farmers and food consumers.
Watershed urbanization enhances the enrichment of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in the water environment
Researchers compared microplastic biofilm communities (the plastisphere) across watersheds with different levels of urbanization, finding that higher urbanization enriched pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on plastic surfaces in waterways. The study suggests that urban runoff substantially elevates the health risk posed by microplastics as vectors of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
Microplastics as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate and soil: a review
This review examines how microplastics in landfill leachate and soil can serve as carriers for antibiotic resistance genes and disease-causing bacteria. Researchers describe how microplastic surfaces create favorable environments for bacterial colonization and gene transfer, potentially spreading antimicrobial resistance. The study highlights an underappreciated pathway through which plastic waste in landfills may contribute to the broader antibiotic resistance crisis.
Effects of co-loading of polyethylene microplastics and ciprofloxacin on the antibiotic degradation efficiency and microbial community structure in soil
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin together affect soil microbial communities and antibiotic degradation. The study found that co-loading of microplastics with antibiotics altered microbial community structure and affected the rate of antibiotic degradation in soil, suggesting microplastic contamination may influence how soils process pharmaceutical pollutants.
Microplastics accumulate priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Evidence from the riverine plastisphere
Researchers placed microplastics in river water and found they accumulated more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than natural sand particles, including dangerous pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella. Most of the bacteria isolated from the plastic surfaces were multi-drug resistant and carried virulence traits like biofilm formation. This suggests microplastics in waterways may act as rafts for spreading antibiotic resistance through the environment.
Assessment of Emerging Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Biofilm of Microplastics Incubated Under a Wastewater Discharge Simulation
Researchers incubated common plastic types in flowing water that simulated wastewater discharge conditions for 10 weeks and studied the bacteria that colonized the plastic surfaces. They found that microplastics exposed to treated wastewater developed distinct bacterial communities compared to those in clean river water, including emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. The study suggests that microplastics in waterways receiving wastewater may serve as mobile platforms for spreading harmful bacteria and antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics disseminate antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soil: A metagenomic analysis
Researchers used metagenomic analysis to investigate how polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soils. They found that PVC microplastics significantly influenced soil bacterial community composition and increased the abundance of certain antibiotic resistance genes. The study raises concerns that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may accelerate the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
Emerging contaminants in rural water: microplastic pollution and its association with agricultural, livestock, and industrial activities in Ecuador
Researchers surveyed 169 samples from 29 rural drinking water systems in southern Ecuador, finding microplastics in 61.5% of samples, with PET as the most frequent polymer and contamination levels correlating with proximity to agricultural, livestock, and industrial activities.
Soil plastispheres as hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes and potential pathogens
Researchers investigated microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastic surfaces (the plastisphere) in soil environments. They found that plastispheres harbor enriched levels of potential pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes compared to surrounding soil, and that adding manure or increasing temperature and moisture further amplified these concerning microbial communities.
Spatiotemporal distribution and ecological hazards of microplastic pollution in soil water resources around a wastewater treatment plant and municipal solid waste site
Researchers mapped the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics in soil, water, and sediment near a wastewater treatment plant and municipal landfill in northern India. They found elevated microplastic concentrations in leachate and areas immediately surrounding both facilities, with seasonal variations in contamination levels. The study highlights that both wastewater treatment plants and solid waste sites serve as significant local sources of microplastic pollution to surrounding environments.
Microplastic pollution unveiled: the consequences of small unregulated dumping in villages, spanning from soil to water
Researchers studied microplastic pollution at unregulated village dumpsites in India and found widespread contamination in the surrounding soil and water. The study identified a variety of plastic types and shapes, including fibers, fragments, and films, moving from dump sites into nearby aquatic environments. This matters because informal waste disposal in rural areas is a largely overlooked source of microplastic pollution that can affect local water quality.
Sources, interactions, influencing factors and ecological risks of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in soil: A review
Microplastics in soil serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes, with the plastisphere — the microbial community colonizing plastic surfaces — facilitating horizontal gene transfer of resistance markers. Key factors driving this interaction include microplastic properties, soil chemistry, and agricultural practices, though research in soil environments is still at an early stage compared to aquatic systems.
Quantifying health risks of plastisphere antibiotic resistome and deciphering driving mechanisms in an urbanizing watershed
This study measured the health risks posed by antibiotic resistance genes found on microplastic surfaces in a watershed affected by urbanization. Polyethylene microplastics carried the highest risk, and urban development increased the danger by promoting the spread of resistance genes among bacteria living on plastic surfaces. The findings show that microplastics in waterways act as vehicles for antibiotic resistance, which could make infections harder to treat in communities downstream.
Impact of “sachet water” microplastic on agricultural soil physicochemistry, antibiotics resistance, bacteria diversity and function
Researchers added microplastics from sachet water packaging to agricultural soil in Nigeria and assessed effects on soil physicochemistry, bacterial diversity, and antibiotic resistance. Microplastic addition altered soil pH, water retention, and microbial community structure, and increased the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.