Microbes on plastic in rivers: discoveries about pathogens and antibiotic resistance

Microbes on plastic in rivers: discoveries about pathogens and antibiotic resistance

Plastic has become an integral part of our everyday life, but its impact on the environment and possible consequences for human health remain the subject of research. In the experiment, half of the plastic samples were new, and the other half were heated in an oven for six months to simulate decomposition or weathering.

The scientists then compared the microbial communities found on the plastic and wood with those found on control surfaces (wooden sticks) and in river water. It turned out that the plastic and wood samples contained potentially pathogenic microbes, but their composition was different from the microorganisms in the river water.

Plastic waste found in rivers turns out to be an ideal environment for the growth of dangerous microbes that are resistant to antibiotics. Microbial communities that make their homes on plastic surfaces in rivers can harbor potentially pathogenic microorganisms and serve as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes. The importance of this finding is to highlight the difference in potential environmental threats posed by both new and degraded plastic materials.

Among the potential pathogens identified in the plastic and wood samples were the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas, known as "opportunistic pathogens". These bacteria can pose a significant risk to individuals with weakened immune systems. At the same time, potential human pathogens such as Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella and Streptococcus were found in the river water.

The scientists, including Vinko Zajelovic, Elizabeth Wellington, Joseph Christie-Oleza, and their colleagues, studied in detail the microbial communities on the surfaces of polyethylene films after they were immersed in the River Sow in Great Britain. This study was conducted one kilometer downstream from the wastewater treatment plant over seven days in February 2020.

The obtained results point to important differences in pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes that can be contained in both new and degraded plastic materials. This information is key to understanding the impact of plastic on river ecosystems and calls for measures to reduce its impact on the environment.