Surface Composition and Temperature Interact to Shape Viral Survival and Growth

Environmental factors play a critical role in viral persistence, yet the combined effects of temperature and surface chemistry on viral fitness are not fully understood. In this study, we examined bacteriophages T4 and $\phi$ X174 across copper, stainless steel, and polypropylene plastic surfaces at 4°C and 37°C to assess how these variables influence survival and growth. Both phages exhibited marked differences in survival across surfaces: Copper at 37°C caused rapid inactivation and cooler conditions promoted persistence. Growth varied independently of survival, indicating that viral stability and growth are partially decoupled traits shaped by environmental context. Linear modelling and correlation analyses confirmed significant, non-additive interactions between surface type and temperature. These findings suggest that abiotic factors can act synergistically to determine viral fitness outside the host. More broadly, they refine our understanding of the mechanisms that govern the environmental ecology of viruses.