Pathogenic Bacteria Found On Microplastics Retrieved From Tropical Beaches
Bacteria living on microplastic pollution in tropical marine environments include a number of pathogenic species as well as some others that may be helpful
by GrrlScientist for Forbes | @GrrlScientist
NOTE: Originally published under the title: βPathogenic Bacteria Found On Microplastics Retrieved From Singaporeβs Beachesβ
A diversity of bacteria have been discovered living on microplastics collected from Singaporeβs beaches and coastal regions, including some that are pathogenic to humans, according to a team of marine researchers. The scientists, who are with the National University of Singapore (NUS), determined that the pathogenic bacteria can cause a variety of damages, ranging from coral bleaching to infecting open wounds. But along with these harmful microbes, the researchers also discovered some potentially useful bacteria, including a few that apparently can biodegrade oil and plastic.
βMicroplastics form a large proportion of plastic pollution in marine environments,β said marine scientist Sandric Leong, a Senior Research Fellow at the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), who was the senior author of the newly-published study (ref).