Drifting marine plastics as new ecological habitats for harmful eukaryotic microbial communities in Jeju Strait, Korea

Micro/macro plastics are ubiquitous and emerging agents causing many ecological problems in marine environments. Plastics carry various fouling organisms, including harmful microorganisms, that could potentially have impacts on the environment eventually human health. In this study, micro/macro drifting at multiple locations Jeju Strait around Island, Korea, were collected analyzed. DNA metabarcoding scanning electron microscopy used to characterize species composition of attached eukaryotic microbial communities, with a special emphasis or toxic dinoflagellates, fungi, parasites. A total 1,035 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) identified from surrounding seawater samples. Two types samples shared half OTUs, which approximately 12% unique plastic These included 68 Archaeplastida (54.0%), 45 Stramenopiles (35.7%), 12 Opisthokonta (9.5%), 3 Alveolata (2.4%) OTUs. The dinoflagellates observed surface Alexandrium , Coolia Dinophysis Heterocapsa Karlodinium Noctiluca Ostreopsis Prorocentrum Scrippsiella Tripos . most dominant parasite community plastisphere was represented by fungi (42% all OTUs), followed Oomycota (33%), (14%), (12%). Nonetheless, study demonstrates communities considerably between seawater. This implies serve as new habitat sea function dispersal vectors facilitate spread