Marine outfall discharges contribute to coastal microplastic pollution and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics are widespread in marine environments, with significant contributions from land-based wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A desktop study was conducted on regulatory framework for marine outfalls in South African coastal cities. The South African regional policy permits proper disposal of wastewater in a marine outfall provided raw wastewater is treated and will not have an adverse effect on the receiving body. The experimental study investigated the capacity of microplastics to serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria originating from WWTP effluent. Experiments challenging the regulations were based on microbiology of the effluent that is discharged through an outfall. Microcosms were set up by spiking seawater with WWTP effluent and adding the collected p

SUBMITTER: Bhikhoo R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12364349 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature