@misc{10481/77828,
year = {2022},
month = {9},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/77828},
abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) provide a stable and protective habitat for diverse wastewater bacteria, including pathogenic
and antibiotic-resistant species. Therefore, MPs may potentially transport these bacteria through wastewater
treatment steps to the environment and far distances. This study investigated bacterial communities of MPassociated
bacteria from different stages of municipal wastewater treatment processes to evaluate the potential
negative effect of these biofilms on the environment. The results showed a high diversity of bacteria that
were strongly attached to MPs. After all treatment steps, the core bacterial groups remained attached to MPs and
escaped from the wastewater treatment plant with effluent water. Several pathogenic bacteria were identified in
MP samples from all treatment steps, and most of them were found in effluent water. These data provide new
insights into the possible impacts of wastewater-derived MPs on the environment. MP-associated biofilms were
proved to be important sources of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant genes in natural waters.},
publisher = {Elsevier},
keywords = {Microplastics},
keywords = {Microplastic biofilms},
keywords = {Plastisphere},
keywords = {Wastewater treatment},
keywords = {Activated sludge},
keywords = {Wastewater-derived pathogens},
title = {The dangerous transporters: A study of microplastic-associated bacteria passing through municipal wastewater treatment},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120316},
author = {Kruglova, Antonina and Muñoz Palazón, Barbara and González Martínez, Alejandro},
}