A study conducted by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and various international institutions has revealed that Vibrio bacteria, which can

The Perfect “Pathogen” Storm – Deadly Bacteria Is Adapting to Plastic

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2023-05-23 18:30:08

A study conducted by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and various international institutions has revealed that Vibrio bacteria, which can cause deadly human diseases, can quickly stick to and potentially adapt to plastic marine debris and Sargassum, a rapidly expanding type of seaweed found in the Sargasso Sea and beyond. This study, the first to assemble a Vibrio spp. genome from plastic debris, emphasizes the potential health risks associated with increased human interaction with Sargassum and plastic marine debris, and the researchers urge caution regarding the harvest and processing of Sargassum biomass until the risks are thoroughly investigated.

Recent research has unveiled how the interaction among Sargassum species , plastic marine waste, and Vibrio bacteria creates the perfect “pathogen” that poses threats to marine biodiversity and public health. Vibrio bacteria, commonly found in global waters, are the leading cause of marine-related human fatalities. For instance, Vibrio vulnificus, often known as the flesh-eating bacteria, can cause severe foodborne illnesses from consuming seafood and can lead to infections and death from open wounds.

From 2011 onwards, there’s been a notable increase in the presence of Sargassum, a type of free-living brown macroalgae, in the Sargasso Sea and other open ocean areas like the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, with regular and unusual seaweed accumulation events occurring on beaches. Additionally, plastic marine waste, initially discovered in the surface waters of the Sargasso Sea, has emerged as a global concern due to its longevity, persisting for decades longer than natural substrates in the marine ecosystem.