'Critical' questions over disease risks from ocean plastics

Date:
August 13, 2020
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Key knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of how ocean
microplastics transport bacteria and viruses -- and whether this
affects the health of humans and animals, researchers say.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
Key knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of how ocean microplastics transport bacteria and viruses -- and whether this affects the health
of humans and animals, researchers say.


==========================================================================
With millions of tons of plastic reaching the world's oceans every year
-- and trillions of particles floating on the surface -- the potential
impacts of plastic pollution are vast.

Plastic particles are known to carry specific combinations of metals, pollutants and pathogens (bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms
that can cause disease).

But the new study, by the University of Exeter and the Centre for
Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), says critical
questions remain about the role of microplastics in carrying pathogens,
and possible threats to food production and safety.

The paper focusses on aquaculture (seafood farming), which is expected
to play a vital role in feeding the world's growing population, and
already faces challenges due to diseases.

"Microplastic fragments differ markedly from natural floating particles,
and there is growing evidence that they represent a potential reservoir
of pathogens," said Dr Ceri Lewis, of Exeter's Global Systems Institute.



==========================================================================
"Of particular concern are the increasing reports of the presence of
numerous pathogens on plastic surfaces in oceans around the world.

"One study found antimicrobial-resistant bacteria at concentrations
100-5,000 times higher on microplastic surfaces than in surrounding
seawater.

"However, the effects of all this on marine animals, aquaculture and
ultimately human health are really unknown at this point." Many studies
have suggested that disease transfer from plastic to ingesting organisms
may occur, but this has not been demonstrated experimentally.

Seafood fears Aquaculture is now the fastest-growing food sector, and
bivalves (such as mussels and oysters) arguably offer the best route to increase production globally.



========================================================================== However, bivalves are filter-feeders and are known to take in microplastic particles from seawater.

"Understanding any risk of pathogen transport associated with microplastic
is important for the aquaculture industry," said lead author Jake Bowley,
of the University of Exeter.

"Disease is one of the biggest issues faced by the industry.

"We mapped the abundance of sea-surface plastics against areas of
intensive aquaculture, and the results show a number of areas of high aquaculture production in microplastic hotspots where pathogen transfer
could theoretically occur.

"One such hotspot is in China, where 57 microplastic particles per
individual have been reported in the commercially important Yesso clam."
Dr Craig Baker-Austin, of Cefas, added: "Bacteria from a genus called
vibrio - - a globally important group of human and animal pathogens
that are increasing in incidence -- have been found in high levels on microplastics.

"Some vibrio bacteria are known to contribute to disease in bivalves,
often causing mass mortality among larvae and in some cases mortality
within adult bivalve populations." This research is funded by insurer
AXA XL through their Ocean Risk Scholarships Programme.

The programme funds PhD research that examines how the ocean is changing
and how that will impact the current and future risk landscape.

Geir Myre, AXA XL's Global Head of Aquaculture, serves as a risk
supervisor to Jake Bowley, providing advice on how this research is
relevant to AXA XL and the wider aquaculture insurance industry.

Myre said: "Understanding the link between microplastics and the risk
of transferring pathogens through shellfish is critical to our work to
manage and transfer risk for the aquaculture industry.

"It's one of many emerging risks we must consider as a result of human
impact on the ocean and highlights the connection between ocean risks
and public health and safety." Dr Lewis added: "There is a lot we still
need to know about the impact of plastic pollution.

"Shining a light on this pressing environmental, food safety and microbiological issue is really important.

"However, it's likely that any negative impacts will get worse if we
continue to dump plastic into the oceans at the current rate.

"We urgently need to move to more sustainable and circular economy
approaches to our use of plastic materials to drastically reduce the
input of plastics into the environment."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Exeter. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jake Bowley, Craig Baker-Austin, Adam Porter, Rachel Hartnell, Ceri
Lewis. Oceanic Hitchhikers - Assessing Pathogen Risks from
Marine Microplastic. Trends in Microbiology, 2020; DOI: 10.1016/
j.tim.2020.06.011 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200813142333.htm

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