Cases of vibriosis, waterborne or foodborne infections from the human pathogens Vibrio species such as Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, have dramatically risen as a result of warming waters. Their abundance is directly related to water temperature (Fig. 5), and as a results risks of infection are also rising. Their presence correlates with nutrient abundances, as well as the presence of organisms releasing these nutrients, such as zooplanktons and phytoplanktons. We are working on developing sampling (unmanned vehicles) as well as remote sensing technologies (satellites) to look at environmental parameters influencing the presence, diversity and abundance of vibrios in Singapore’s and Southeast Asia’s waters.
Fig. 1
Abundance of vibrios in seawater, in relation to temperature
