Plastics and Pathogens

Interaction between microplastics and pathogen pollutants in marine ecosystems; Implications for Seafood Safety

We currently understand very little about the health effects of microplastic pollutants on animal and human health. One area that is virtually unexplored and needs more research is whether microplastics can adsorb harmful pathogens from surrounding seawater and how microplastics may serve as vectors for pathogens in the marine environment. USC Sea Grant funded a study to tackle this data gap by investigating the impact of microplastics on oysters via the effects on transport, persistence, and fate of zoonotic pathogens recognized by the World Health Organization as underestimated causes of illness from shellfish consumption.

Key Results:

Pathogens are capable of associating with microplastics in contaminated seawater, with more parasites adhering to plastic microfiber surfaces as compared with plastic microbeads
This study demonstrates a novel pathway by which anthropogenic pollutants may be mediating pathogen transmission in the marine environment, with important ramifications for wildlife and human health

Project Impacts & Application:

Presentations at a 2022 UC Davis Food Science and Technology Graduate Seminar and undergraduate class and the 2022 American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Annual Conference