UK Study Reveals River Plastics May Harbor Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens

New research from the University of Warwick in the UK reveals concerning findings about the impact of plastic pollution on river ecosystems.

Plastic submerged in a river for a week was found to host opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, raising fears of a "riverine plastisphere" becoming a reservoir for antibiotic resistance.

The study examines the persistence of plastic pollution in the environment and its potential to support harmful microbial communities. It also highlights the possibility of opportunistic pathogens and resistance genes thriving in freshwater environments.

Read more here.