Survival rates and transfer potential measurements of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium colonising polyethylene microplastics in contaminated agricultural soils

This dataset contains mesocosm experimental data quantifying the ability of the bacterium Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) to persist on microplastic beads in podzol and loamy soil. Persistence was determined through measuring surviving colony forming units (CFUs) of S. Typhimurium on the plastics after destructive sampling of the mesocosm jars. The results of a flooding and leachate experiment are also included, containing transfer potential and leachate gradients of S. Typhimurium in each soil under ambient, and flooding conditions. Water was added to soil columns containing the microbeads to simulate flooding, and the CFUs in the water and on virgin plastics were measured to determine transfer potential. In the persistence experiment samples were measured on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35, and in the transfer and leachate experiments samples were measured after 7, 14 and 21 days, with four replicates being taken at each time point.

This dataset was created as part of a study investigating how human pathogens enter agricultural environments via flooding or contaminated irrigation, and to determine the survivability of S. Typhimurium in these soils. This work is supported by the National Environmental Research Council (NE/V005847/1).