This dataset contains information relating to the survival and persistence of clinically relevant strains of E. coli on plastic and cotton, under environmentally relevant conditions. The data encompass bacterial strain identity, material type, timepoints (days), bacterial concentration (CFU/ml) and survival percentages. Data were sampled over a 28-day period using culture-based approaches; and the ability of isolates to cause disease following their recovery was determined through the use of a Galleria mellonella model. This work was supported by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) as part of the GCRF SPACES project [grant number NE/V005847/1] and the Plastic Vectors project, “Microbial hitch-hikers of marine plastics: the survival, persistence & ecology of microbial communities in the ‘Plastisphere’” [grant number NE/S005196/1]. Full details about this nonGeographicDataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/268cab8c-459c-4bf8-9b90-838c4d18efb2

This dataset contains experimental survival rate and transfer potential measurements of two known human pathogens, bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae, on plastic mulch and ready-to-eat crop plants. Colony forming units (CFUs) were used to measure persistence time of each pathogen on the mulch, and quantify the transfer of each pathogen from the plastic mulch to the surface of spinach and basil leaves. Samples were measured on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 14, over a total period of 14 days. Destructive sampling methods were used to collect samples from the plastic and leaf surface, with negative control leaves also sampled at each time point. This dataset was created as part of a study investigating the risk of pathogen growth in agricultural environments using plastic mulch, and is supported by the National Environmental Research Council (NE/V005847/1). Full details about this nonGeographicDataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/a514a386-18d7-4925-a3d4-fb5a2922e135

This dataset holds realistic environmental concentrations of potential pathogens colonising microplastic beads (nurdles) collected from ten Scottish beaches. Observed measures include concentrations and the present genes of Klebsiella bacteria isolated from the nurdles, as well as the salinity, electrical conductivity, turbidity, and polymer composition of the nurdles. In addition, an infection experiment was conducted to measure the virulence of the Klebsiella bacteria. Galleria melonella larvae were infected with the isolated Klebsiella bacteria and the number of living larvae was recorded. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/fdd72810-a57f-444f-83cf-f2351ef4c940

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). Full details about this nonGeographicDataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/0bfdfa23-15f8-4ffd-b1dc-e77178af0304