Plastic pollution, resulting from poor solid waste management, has become a serious problem for marine ecosystems. These wastes, originating from various activities such as fishing, agriculture, and tourism, can act as vectors for the transport of pathogenic bacteria, affecting both marine biodiversity and human health (Saldarriaga, 2007; Moran, 2017). The project "Microplastics and their Role as Vectors for the Transport of Bacterial Populations in the Tumbes Region, Peru: First Stage, Tumbes Coastline" aims to evaluate the relationship between the distribution and composition of microplastics and the transport of bacterial pathogens in coastal habitats of Tumbes, Peru.
The study was conducted along a coastal strip of Tumbes, covering key areas such as Puerto Pizarro, Playa El Bendito, La Cruz, Punta Sal, Canoas de Punta Sal, and riverbanks. Sampling was carried out in three specific zones along the tide line. Microplastics were collected by sieving the substrate and then classified and analyzed for identification . Additionally, metagenomic DNA extraction and bacterial isolation were performed using selective culture media. Preliminary results (Tabla 5), obtained by January 2023, show the presence of microplastics in all sampled areas. Bacteria associated with microplastics were isolated and purified from various beaches, including Canoas de Punta Sal and La Cruz. In the case of the islands of Puerto Pizarro, bacterial purity reached 78.6%, while in Playa El Bendito, purity was 44.4%. The identification of microplastics and the associated bacterial pathogens will help assess the risk of their impact on ecosystems and the local food chain.
In conclusion, microplastics along the Tumbes coastline not only represent a physical pollution problem but also have significant potential as vectors of pathogenic bacteria. This underscores the urgency of implementing effective waste management policies in the region.