Potential impact of marine-derived plastisphere as a Vibrio carrier on marine ecosystems: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract

Marine microbial communities colonize microplastics (MPs) to form a plastisphere, altering their physicochemical properties and ecological impacts. The prevalence of many different bacterial species on environmental MPs surfaces underscores the need for a comprehensive assessment of their interactions and consequences with marine ecosystems. Vibrio spp., a major pathogen frequently detected in plastispheres, poses significant risks to aquaculture and marine ecosystem health. Despite recent advances, critical knowledge gaps persist regarding the adsorption mechanisms of Vibrio spp. onto MPs, the associated ecological consequences, and their role in biogeochemical cycling. This review synthesizes existing literature, focusing on field and laboratory studies that investigate plastisphere formation, Vibrio enrichment, and associated ecological risks. Our analysis reveals that Vibrio spp. are selectively enriched on MPs, particularly in coastal regions with high organic matter content, and their attachment is mediated by dissolved organic matter (DOM) and environmental factors such as temperature and salinity. Pathogenic Vibrio strains on MPs exacerbate disease risks in aquaculture and may disrupt marine elemental cycles by altering carbon and nitrogen dynamics. Furthermore, MPs serve as vectors for Vibrio dispersal, potentially expanding their ecological footprint. This review highlights the urgent need for standardized methodologies in plastisphere research and underscores the dual role of Vibrio-laden MPs as both ecological disruptors and pathogen carriers. By synthesizing current knowledge, this review advances our understanding of marine-derived plastisphere as potential vectors for Vibrio spp., elucidates their ecological impact on marine ecosystems, and proposes strategies for preventing and mitigating disease risk in mariculture.

Keywords: Biofilm; Biogeochemical cycling; Mariculture; Microplastics; Pathogen dispersal; Vibrio.