USA Today: Deadly Pathogens Can Hitch a Ride on Ocean Microplastics, Raising Alarm Bells
- Parasites
- Toxoplasmosis
- Ocean trash
Deadly pathogens can hitch a ride on ocean microplastics, raising alarm bells
Published in USA Today: April 28, 2022
A novel experiment in a veterinary lab found deadly pathogens could be catching a ride on microplastics washing out to sea, concentrating the bugs and potentially putting humans and animals like sea otters, seals and dolphins at risk.
The pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia enterica, end up in waterways when feces from infected animals contaminate the water.
In the study, published this week in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists at the University of California, Davis showed microplastics can provide a new way for these microorganisms to concentrate near coastlines and travel deep into the sea.
Yes, I want to save a life!
Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Misc\/Graphics\/cropped-images\/climate-change-graphic-giant-earth-shutterstock-1798-6-5113-3994-1680046432.jpg","alt":"An Earth Day graphic of people holding the planet, recycling, planting a tree and moving a solar panel.","title":"5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/5-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day","label":"News Update","date":"2024-04-18 02:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Hawaiian monk seals\/2024\/cropped-images\/hms-rs10-release-photo-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-permit-24359-0-0-966-755-1712699238.jpg","alt":"Hawaiian monk seal RS10 is released and heads toward the water","title":"Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Back Home on Kaua\u02bbi After Receiving Life-Saving Care for Ingested Fishing Gear","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/endangered-hawaiian-monk-seal-back-home-on-kauai-after-receiving-life-saving-care-for-ingested-fishing-gear","label":"Press Release","date":"2024-04-09 02:00:00"}
Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Back Home on Kauaʻi After Receiving Life-Saving Care for Ingested Fishing Gear
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Sea otter\/cropped-images\/sea-otter-mom-pup-photo-c-brian-simuro-505-0-3387-2646-1618247266.jpg","alt":"sea otter mother and pup","title":"Top Eco Friendly Mother\u2019s Day Gifts that Give Back","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/eco-friendly-mothers-day-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2024-04-08 02:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Places\/Monterey Bay\/cropped-images\/monterey-bay-shutterstock-14-18-4196-3277-1712079225.jpg","alt":"Monterey Bay rocky coastline with blue skies and clouds","title":"Three Key Members Added to Center's Leadership Team with Backgrounds Far Beyond the Ocean","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/three-key-members-added-to-centers-leadership-team-with-backgrounds-far-beyond-the-ocean","label":"Press Release","date":"2024-04-02 02:00:00"}
Three Key Members Added to Center's Leadership Team with Backgrounds Far Beyond the Ocean
Read Moretoxoplasmosis
ocean trash
Cara Field
Southern Sea Otter
Hawaiian Monk Seal