Impacts of microplastic-adsorbed triclosan on microbial biofilm communities

Krantz, Ryan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122950 Copy

Description

Title

Impacts of microplastic-adsorbed triclosan on microbial biofilm communities

Author(s)

Krantz, Ryan

Issue Date

2024-04-24

Keyword(s)

antibiotic

Abstract

Triclosan, a synthetic antimicrobial compound, is a common wastewater contaminant that can be detected in urban surface waters and sediments. Microplastics (MPs), plastics <5mm in diameter, are also common contaminants in wastewater and freshwater ecosystems, and some can adsorb antimicrobials to their surface. Once adsorbed, antimicrobials could affect the diversity and composition of MP-associated microbial biofilms and select for antibiotic-resistant traits and taxa. We used a microcosm approach to assess triclosan’s potential to adsorb to MP fibers and to alter the composition of MP biofilm communities. We exposed acrylic, nylon, and polyester fibers to triclosan and incubated triclosan-exposed or control fibers in microcosms containing water from the Chicago River for 30 days in the lab. Polyester fibers resulted with the highest triclosan concentration (2.5 ng / fiber) and nylon the lowest (0.2 ng / fiber). We collected both pre- and post-incubation water and MP samples for community analysis. Amplicon sequence data analysis indicated bacteria and algae on MPs and in water exposed to triclosan experienced significant changes in taxonomic composition. These results demonstrate the potential for MPs to function as hotspots of interaction between adsorbed antimicrobials and biofilms, leading to alterations of bacterial and algal biofilm communities.

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https://youtu.be/WB-R-lZ1HEU

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• still image
• text

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