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Oliver DM, Metcalf R, Jones DL, Matallana-Surget S, Thomas DN, Robins P, Tulloch CL, Cotterell BM, Williams G, Christie-Oleza JA, Quilliam RS. Plastic pollution and human pathogens: Towards a conceptual shift in risk management at bathing water and beach environments. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 261:122028. [PMID: 38991248 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that micro- and macro-plastics present in water can support a diverse microbial community, including potential human pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses). This interaction raises important concerns surrounding the role and suitability of current bathing water regulations and associated pathogen exposure risk within beach environments. In response to this, we critically evaluated the available evidence on plastic-pathogen interactions and identified major gaps in knowledge. This review highlighted the need for a conceptual shift in risk management at public beaches recognising: (i) interconnected environmental risks, e.g., associations between microbial compliance parameters, potential pathogens and both contemporary and legacy plastic pollution; and (ii) an appreciation of risk of exposure to plastic co-pollutants for both water and waterside users. We present a decision-making framework to identify options to manage plastic-associated pathogen risks alongside short- and longer-term research priorities. This advance will help deliver improvements in managing plastic-associated pathogen risk, acknowledging that human exposure potential is not limited to only those who engage in water-based activity. We argue that adopting these recommendations will help create an integrated approach to managing and reducing human exposure to pathogens at bathing, recreational water and beach environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Oliver
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Rebecca Metcalf
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Davey L Jones
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Sabine Matallana-Surget
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - David N Thomas
- Faculty of Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Peter Robins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Marine Centre Wales, Menai Bridge LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Constance L Tulloch
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Benjamin M Cotterell
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Gwion Williams
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | | | - Richard S Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
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2
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Kutralam-Muniasamy G, Shruti VC, Pérez-Guevara F. Plastisphere-hosted viruses: A review of interactions, behavior, and effects. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134533. [PMID: 38749241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Microbial communities, including bacteria, diatoms, and fungi, colonize plastic surfaces, forming biofilms known as the "plastisphere." Recent research has revealed that plastispheres also host a wide range of viruses, sparking interest in microbial ecology and virology. This shared habitat allows viruses to replicate, interact, infect, and spread, potentially impacting the environment and human health. Consequently, viruses attached to microplastics are now recognized to have broad effects on cellular and immune responses. However, the ecology and implications of viruses hosted in plastisphere habitats remain poorly understood, highlighting their fundamental importance as a subject of study. This review explores various pathways for virus attachment to plastispheres, factors influencing these interactions, their impacts within plastisphere and host-associated environments, and associated issues. It also summarizes current research and identifies knowledge gaps. We anticipate that this paper will help improve our predictive understanding of plastisphere viruses in natural settings and emphasizes the need for more research in real-world environments to advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurusamy Kutralam-Muniasamy
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Ciudad de México, México.
| | - V C Shruti
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Fermín Pérez-Guevara
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Ciudad de México, México; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Program, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Ciudad de México, México
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3
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Woodford L, Fellows R, White HL, Ormsby MJ, Quilliam RS. Salmonella Typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae can be transferred from plastic mulch to basil and spinach salad leaves. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31343. [PMID: 38818200 PMCID: PMC11137414 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is increasingly found in agricultural environments, where it contaminates soil and crops. Microbial biofilms rapidly colonise environmental plastics, such as the plastic mulches used in agricultural systems, which provide a unique environment for microbial plastisphere communities. Human pathogens can also persist in the plastisphere, and enter agricultural environments via flooding or irrigation with contaminated water. In this study we examined whether Salmonella Typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae can be transferred from the plastisphere on plastic mulch to the surface of ready-to-eat crop plants, and subsequently persist on the leaf surface. Both S. Typhimurium and V. cholerae were able to persist for 14 days on fragments of plastic mulch adhering to the surface of leaves of both basil and spinach. Importantly, within 24 h both pathogens were capable of dissociating from the surface of the plastic and were transferred onto the surface of both basil and spinach leaves. This poses a further risk to food safety and human health, as even removal of adhering plastics and washing of these ready-to-eat crops would not completely remove these pathogens. As the need for more intensive food production increases, so too does the use of plastic mulches in agronomic systems. Therefore, there is now an urgent need to understand the unquantified co-pollutant pathogen risk of contaminating agricultural and food production systems with plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Woodford
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Rosie Fellows
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Hannah L. White
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Michael J. Ormsby
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Richard S. Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
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Filipe S, Mourão PM, Couto N, Tranchida D. Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4529. [PMID: 38231954 PMCID: PMC11080938 DOI: 10.3390/polym15234529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue. The agricultural sector, in particular, is a significant contributor to this problem, given the widespread use of plastics in farming practices and a lack of and/or use of inefficient approaches for the recycling and valorization of agricultural plastic waste. This has resulted in the accumulation of these residues in landfills and/or their improper disposal, which has exacerbated their environmental impact, leading to negative consequences on soil, water, and ecosystems. This work provides an overview on the current methodologies available to address the challenges associated with inadequate management of agricultural plastics and highlights the need for a comprehensive and systematic methodology, involving material development, polymer processing, waste collection, sorting, and valorization. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between polymer producers, polymer manufacturers, farmers, policymakers, waste management companies, and recyclers to develop effective, technical, and economically viable recycling and valorization schemes. This paper addresses gaps and provides guidance on possible solutions, specifically polymer development, policy instruments, regulatory frameworks, collection schemes, and the technical approaches required for the adequate valorization of agricultural plastic waste. Furthermore, it highlights the associated barriers and benefits of the different presented approaches. It also aims to promote awareness on agricultural plastic waste and provide guidance on the best approaches to reduce its environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Filipe
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Paulo Mira Mourão
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal;
| | - Nazaré Couto
- CENSE—Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Davide Tranchida
- Competence Center Advanced Polymer Characterisation, Borealis GmbH, Sankt Peter Strasse 25, 4021 Linz, Austria;
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Naeem M, Gill R, Gill SS, Singh K, Sofo A, Tuteja N. Editorial: Emerging contaminants and their effect on agricultural crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1296252. [PMID: 37941663 PMCID: PMC10628685 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1296252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Naeem
- Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Ritu Gill
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | | | - Kashmir Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Adriano Sofo
- School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Narendra Tuteja
- Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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