Cigarette butts, emerging residue on beaches and potential niche of microbiological resources

Resumen

Abstract– Cigarette butts are emerging residues on tourist beaches worldwide, reaching the shores through direct disposal or various transport mechanisms. They persist in marine ecosystems due to their low degradability, becoming potential microbiological niches with the potential to impact health and ecosystems. A pilot study at Bocagrande beach in Cartagena aimed to assess cigarette butts as bacterial habitats. Four samplings were conducted between June and November 2022. Three bacterial isolation stages were employed: 1) broth and LB agar modified with seawater, 2) morphological and biochemical characterization using Gram staining, catalase, oxidase, and BBL Crystal tests, and 3) 16S rRNA gene sequencing for phylogenetic analysis. Results revealed strains related to Virgibacillus pantothenticus and Virgibacillus dokdonensis, not previously reported in Cartagena. This Gram-positive bacterium, forming endospores under stress, raises potential concerns for health and the environment. In summary, cigarette butts on Colombian Caribbean beaches serve as bacterial niches, suggesting an assessment of the found bacteria and their potential in bioengineering treatments.