Ingested Microplastics Can Act as Microbial Vectors of Ichthyofauna
Abdulhusein Jawdhari, György Deák, Dan Mihăilescu, Nicolai Crăciun, Andrea Cristina Staicu, Ioana Stanca, Derniza Cozorici, Sergiu Fendrihan, Cristian-Emilian Pop, Maria Mernea
Abstract
Microplastics (plastic particles < 5 mm) are ubiquitous pollutants that have the ability to carry microbiota, including pathogens. Microbial adhesion is usually a sign of pathogenicity; thus, we investigated the adherent microbiota found on 4 mm nylon strips, which were ingested and excreted by wild fish specimens. Retention times were recorded and the polymer analysis of the excreted samples was performed, which showed no signs of degradation, nor did their controls, represented by the nylon strips submerged in the same water tanks. Both the ingested samples and controls presented pathogens in large quantities. Following Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight identification, the dominant genus was represented by Aeromonas, revealing the fact that nylon microplastics can serve as undegradable physical carriers for this pathogen, among others, in the aquatic environment.