Plastics in our water: Fish microbiomes at risk?

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Aquatic ecology
• Microbiome research

Background:

• Plastic debris and plasticizers contaminate water, affecting aquatic organisms' gastrointestinal tracts.
• Gut microbiomes of aquatic animals are vulnerable to toxicity from microplastics and plasticizers.
• Studies in teleost fishes show microplastics and plasticizers cause gut dysbiosis and alter microbial diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current scientific understanding of plastics, plasticizers, and their effects on fish gut microbiomes.
• To highlight knowledge gaps and recommend future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of existing studies on microplastics, plasticizers, and fish gut microbiomes.
• Analysis of reported impacts on microbial diversity and pathogen abundance.

Main Results:

• Microplastics and plasticizers increase opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., Actinobacillus, Mycoplasma, Stenotrophomonas) in fish.
• Gamma-proteobacteria are identified as sensitive to microplastic exposure.
• Gastrointestinal dysbiosis and altered microbial diversity are key effects.

Conclusions:

• Understanding plastic and plasticizer impacts on fish gut microbiomes is crucial for assessing ecological risks.
• Future research should focus on environmentally relevant exposures, understudied polymers, and elastomers.
• Gut microbiome health is linked to disease susceptibility and mortality in aquatic animals.