MICRO AND NANOPLASTICS AS CARRIERS FOR THE SPREAD OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

The occurrence of micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater has been considered a major environmental hazard. This is mainly due to the increased use and subsequent discharge of plastics into the aquatic environment. The occurrence of these microplastics in wastewater has been reported as one of the main pathways through which microplastics are released into the aquatic environment. The ecological impact of the occurrence of microplastics in the water environment has been reported extensively globally and in South Africa. Furthermore, these microplastics could have an impact beyond their direct role as contaminants. These microplastics could adsorb harmful agents, such as pharmaceuticals and pathogenic organisms onto their surface. Microplastics in the aquatic environment are widely reported as a potential substrate for biofilm formation, creating an environment for phylogenetically and functionally diverse communities of bacteria, algae, protozoans, and fungi. Biofilm formation creates several advantages for the attached microorganisms, such as competition and survival strategies, including possibilities for forming stable consortia, horizontal gene exchange, accumulation of nutrients, and protection against toxic substances and desiccation. It is therefore important to understand the extent to which microplastics are released into wastewater in South Africa, the role of these microplastics as carriers of microorganisms, and the assessment of the removal of these microplastics during wastewater treatment.