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Linking chemical contamination to composition of bacterial communities in urban beach sands of a brackish sea under anthropogenic pressure

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Linking chemical contamination to composition of bacterial communities in urban beach sands of a brackish sea under anthropogenic pressure
Source: Environmental Pollution. 381:1-14
Publisher Information: 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: Clostridium spp, Chemical and microbial contamination of sand, Quality of beach sand, Sequencing, People safety, 16S rRNA metagenomics
Description: The water quality on recreational beaches is constantly monitored. However, given that beachgoers often spend more time in contact with the sand than the seawater, it is essential to also regularly assess beach sand quality. In this study, 34 beach sand samples were collected in seven locations along the south shore of the Baltic Sea (Europe) between 2022 and 2023. The samples were obtained from recreational beaches with significant anthropogenic pressure. Since the use of new chemicals is widespread, it is imperative to not only monitor known contaminants but also to actively search for the presence of new ones in the environment. In order to establish the connection between the bacterial biodiversity and their possible resilience in the contaminated marine environment, the bacterial abundances in the beach sand were compared based on 16S rDNA sequencing with chemical contamination examined with non-targeted GC-MS. One hundred forty-nine (149) distinct chemicals were detected, many of which are of human health concern. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers and benzothiazoles in the sand samples was observed, and these contaminants were found to be associated with alterations in the bacterial community structure, characterized by a decrease or increase in certain taxonomic groups. Notably, the bacterial communities exhibited specificity to each location and demonstrated stability throughout the seasons. Furthermore, the presence of DNA from 31 potential human pathogens was detected in the sand. These findings emphasize the necessity for regular monitoring of beach sand for the presence of toxic chemicals and pathogens to safeguard public health and the environment.
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 0269-7491
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.12659610.1016/j.envpol.2025.126596
Accession Number: edsair.dris...02463..ee00a8d11e5492d61034c31f29b85e5a
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:The water quality on recreational beaches is constantly monitored. However, given that beachgoers often spend more time in contact with the sand than the seawater, it is essential to also regularly assess beach sand quality. In this study, 34 beach sand samples were collected in seven locations along the south shore of the Baltic Sea (Europe) between 2022 and 2023. The samples were obtained from recreational beaches with significant anthropogenic pressure. Since the use of new chemicals is widespread, it is imperative to not only monitor known contaminants but also to actively search for the presence of new ones in the environment. In order to establish the connection between the bacterial biodiversity and their possible resilience in the contaminated marine environment, the bacterial abundances in the beach sand were compared based on 16S rDNA sequencing with chemical contamination examined with non-targeted GC-MS. One hundred forty-nine (149) distinct chemicals were detected, many of which are of human health concern. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers and benzothiazoles in the sand samples was observed, and these contaminants were found to be associated with alterations in the bacterial community structure, characterized by a decrease or increase in certain taxonomic groups. Notably, the bacterial communities exhibited specificity to each location and demonstrated stability throughout the seasons. Furthermore, the presence of DNA from 31 potential human pathogens was detected in the sand. These findings emphasize the necessity for regular monitoring of beach sand for the presence of toxic chemicals and pathogens to safeguard public health and the environment.
ISSN:02697491
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.12659610.1016/j.envpol.2025.126596