Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops
Mulching with plastic sheeting, the use of plastic carriers in seed coatings, and irrigation with wastewater or contaminated surface water have resulted in plastics, and microplastics, becoming ubiquitous in agricultural soils. Once in the environment, plastic surfaces quickly become colonised by mi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1152419/full |
| _version_ | 1797745550463860736 |
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| author | Richard S. Quilliam Chloe J. Pow Dativa J. Shilla James J. Mwesiga Daniel A. Shilla Luke Woodford |
| author_facet | Richard S. Quilliam Chloe J. Pow Dativa J. Shilla James J. Mwesiga Daniel A. Shilla Luke Woodford |
| author_sort | Richard S. Quilliam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mulching with plastic sheeting, the use of plastic carriers in seed coatings, and irrigation with wastewater or contaminated surface water have resulted in plastics, and microplastics, becoming ubiquitous in agricultural soils. Once in the environment, plastic surfaces quickly become colonised by microbial biofilm comprised of a diverse microbial community. This so-called ‘plastisphere’ community can also include human pathogens, particularly if the plastic has been exposed to faecal contamination (e.g., from wastewater or organic manures and livestock faeces). The plastisphere is hypothesised to facilitate the survival and dissemination of pathogens, and therefore plastics in agricultural systems could play a significant role in transferring human pathogens to crops, particularly as microplastics adhering to ready to eat crops are difficult to remove by washing. In this paper we critically discuss the pathways for human pathogens associated with microplastics to interact with crop leaves and roots, and the potential for the transfer, adherence, and uptake of human pathogens from the plastisphere to plants. Globally, the concentration of plastics in agricultural soils are increasing, therefore, quantifying the potential for the plastisphere to transfer human pathogens into the food chain needs to be treated as a priority. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T15:24:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9da1ed5d75744282a890f3d9ffa52a3b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T15:24:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-9da1ed5d75744282a890f3d9ffa52a3b2023-08-10T14:47:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2023-08-011410.3389/fpls.2023.11524191152419Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto cropsRichard S. Quilliam0Chloe J. Pow1Dativa J. Shilla2James J. Mwesiga3Daniel A. Shilla4Luke Woodford5Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomBiological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomDepartment of Chemistry, Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaDepartment of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaDepartment of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaBiological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomMulching with plastic sheeting, the use of plastic carriers in seed coatings, and irrigation with wastewater or contaminated surface water have resulted in plastics, and microplastics, becoming ubiquitous in agricultural soils. Once in the environment, plastic surfaces quickly become colonised by microbial biofilm comprised of a diverse microbial community. This so-called ‘plastisphere’ community can also include human pathogens, particularly if the plastic has been exposed to faecal contamination (e.g., from wastewater or organic manures and livestock faeces). The plastisphere is hypothesised to facilitate the survival and dissemination of pathogens, and therefore plastics in agricultural systems could play a significant role in transferring human pathogens to crops, particularly as microplastics adhering to ready to eat crops are difficult to remove by washing. In this paper we critically discuss the pathways for human pathogens associated with microplastics to interact with crop leaves and roots, and the potential for the transfer, adherence, and uptake of human pathogens from the plastisphere to plants. Globally, the concentration of plastics in agricultural soils are increasing, therefore, quantifying the potential for the plastisphere to transfer human pathogens into the food chain needs to be treated as a priority.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1152419/fullhuman healthirrigationmicroplastic-soil-crop interactionsplastic pollutionplastispherewastewater |
| spellingShingle | Richard S. Quilliam Chloe J. Pow Dativa J. Shilla James J. Mwesiga Daniel A. Shilla Luke Woodford Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops Frontiers in Plant Science human health irrigation microplastic-soil-crop interactions plastic pollution plastisphere wastewater |
| title | Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops |
| title_full | Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops |
| title_fullStr | Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops |
| title_short | Microplastics in agriculture – a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops |
| title_sort | microplastics in agriculture a potential novel mechanism for the delivery of human pathogens onto crops |
| topic | human health irrigation microplastic-soil-crop interactions plastic pollution plastisphere wastewater |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1152419/full |
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