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Increasing microplastics pollution: An emerging vector for potentially pathogenic bacteria in the environment     
Yazarlar (7)
Ülkü Nihan Yazgan Tavşanoğlu
Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Gülçin Akca
Gazi Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Tülay Pekmez
Gökben Başaran Kankılıç
Kırıkkale Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Tamer Çırak
Aksaray Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Öğr. Gör. Ali Serhan ÇAĞAN Öğr. Gör. Ali Serhan ÇAĞAN
Kastamonu Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Selin Özkan Kotiloğlu
Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Devamını Göster
Özet
Microplastics (MP), plastic particles <5 mm, are of global concern due to their worldwide distribution and potential repercussions on ecosystems and human well-being. In this study, MP were collected from the urbanized Susurluk basin in Türkiye to evaluate their vector function for bacterial biofilms, both in the wet and dry seasons. Bacterial biofilms were predominantly found on polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which constitute the most common MP types in the region. Specific potentially pathogenic bacterial genera, including Pseudomonas sp., Comamonas sp., Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp., were prevalent on MP surfaces. Notably, PE and PP harboured numerous genera of potential human and/or animal origin such as Staphylococcus, Proteus, Escherichia, Enterococcus, and Enterobacter. Water quality played a pivotal role in bacterial biofilm formation on MP. Higher salinity in estuarine areas reduced bacterial abundance on MP, while the more polluted freshwater Nilüfer Stream harboured a higher abundance of total bacteria, particularly of potentially pathogenic strains. Seasonal variations, ambient water conditions, and polymer type are all factors that could influence bacterial colonization on MPs. This catchment-wide evaluation, which includes various habitat types (lentic and lotic systems), the enrichment of cultivable viable bacteria on microplastics (MPs) - a key factor in the spread of pathogens - has significant implications for both environmental and public health. Unlike controlled laboratory experiments or in-situ studies with various particles, this study emphasized the dynamic and complex nature of bacterial strains on MPs, which varied depending on seasonal dynamics and antropogenic impacts in open systems. Further research is needed to thoroughly investigate to fully explore the complex interactions among MPs, microbial communities, and their ecological roles, especially in the context of changing environmental factors across entire river catchments.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Bacterial biofilm | Harmful bacteria | microplastics (MP) | Susurluk River Basin | Türkiye
Makale Türü Özgün Makale
Makale Alt Türü SSCI, AHCI, SCI, SCI-Exp dergilerinde yayımlanan tam makale
Dergi Adı Water Research
Dergi ISSN 0043-1354 Wos Dergi Scopus Dergi
Dergi Tarandığı Indeksler SSCI
Dergi Grubu Q1
Makale Dili Türkçe
Basım Tarihi 04-2025
Cilt No 274
Sayı 1
Doi Numarası 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123142
Makale Linki https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123142