Microplastics from the Mediterranean contain up to 200 types of bacteria

Synthetic plastic microfibers have spread throughout the Earth as technology has advanced. Already

no one will be surprised that they can be found inAntarctica, inside animals and human organs. In the new work, researchers noted that plastic not only pollutes the environment, but also becomes a home for bacteria.

In their work, the researchers used electron microscopy and DNA sequencing to study what types of bacteria live on floating microfibers found in Mediterranean waters.

Bacteria on microplastic fibers. Image: Pedrotti et al., PLOS ONE

Scientists have found that on each individualmicrofiber is found on average more than 2.6 thousand living cells, which belong to 195 species of various bacteria. Among them, for the first time in the Mediterranean, a potentially dangerous Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been found, which causes food poisoning in seafood.

This is important for assessing health risks becausethat the presence of the bacterium could pose a threat to swimming and seafood consumption, the researchers note. In addition, as micro-organisms colonize, the microwave begins to attract plankton-eating marine life and accumulate in their bodies.

A growing number of fracture-resistantplastic waste in the environment can carry dangerous bacteria and other pollutants throughout the ocean, the researchers conclude. This, together with climate change and rising temperatures creating favorable conditions for micro-organisms, increases the risk of contamination spreading.

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