Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (ISP-CNR), Spianata San Raineri, 86, 98121 Messina, Italy.
Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria km 29, 300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
Sci Total Environ. 2022 Sep 1;837:155731. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155731. Epub 2022 May 6.
The present paper was aimed at investigating the role of disposable medical masks as a substrate for microbial biofilm growth and for the selection of specific microbial traits in highly impacted marine environments. In this view, we have immerged masks in a coastal area affected by a continuous input of artisanal fishery wastes and hydrocarbons pollution caused by intense maritime traffic. Masks maintained one month in the field were colonized by a bacterial community significantly different from that detected in the natural matrices from the same areas (seawater and sediments). The masks served as a viable substrate for the growth and enrichment of phototrophic microorganisms (Oxyphotobacteria), as well as Ruminococcaceae, Gracilibacteria, and Holophageae. In a follow-up investigation, masks previously colonized in the field were transferred in lab-scale microcosms which were supplemented with hydrocarbons and which contained also a piece of a virgin mask. After one month, a shift in the community composition, likely triggered by hydrocarbons addition, was observed in the previously colonized mask, with signatures characteristic of hydrocarbon-degrading microbial groups. Such hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were also found to colonize the virgin mask. Remarkably, SEM micrographs provided indications of the occurrence of morphological modifications of the surface components of the virgin masks colonized by hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria. Overall, for the first time, we have demonstrated the potential risk for human and animal health determined by the uncorrected disposal of masks which are suitable substrates for pathogens colonization, permanence and spreading. Moreover, we have herein strengthened the knowledge on the role of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the colonization and modification of fossil-based plastics in marine environment.
本研究旨在探讨一次性医用口罩作为微生物生物膜生长的基质，并在受高强度海洋活动影响的高冲击海洋环境中选择特定微生物特征的作用。为此，我们将口罩浸入一个受人工渔业废物连续输入和由密集海上交通造成的碳氢化合物污染影响的沿海地区。在野外放置一个月的口罩被一种明显不同于同一地区（海水和沉积物）自然基质中检测到的细菌群落所定植。口罩是光养微生物（Oxyphotobacteria）、瘤胃球菌科、 Gracilibacteria 和噬菌体的生长和富集的可行基质。在后续调查中，先前在野外定植的口罩被转移到实验室规模的微宇宙中，这些微宇宙中补充了碳氢化合物，并包含一块原始口罩。一个月后，在先前定植的口罩中观察到群落组成的变化，可能是由于碳氢化合物的添加而触发，其特征是具有降解碳氢化合物的微生物群的特征。也发现这些降解碳氢化合物的细菌定植在原始口罩上。值得注意的是，SEM 显微照片提供了有关受碳氢化合物侵蚀细菌定植的原始口罩表面成分发生形态变化的迹象。总的来说，这是首次证明了未经纠正的口罩处理对人类和动物健康的潜在风险，这些口罩是病原体定植、存活和传播的合适基质。此外，我们还加强了对海洋环境中降解碳氢化合物的细菌在化石基塑料的定植和改性中的作用的认识。
