The Fate of SARS-CoV-2 in the Marine Environments: Are Marine Environments Safe from COVID-19?

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus and the agent of the COVID-19, which was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In this period, scientists have been working intensively to disambiguate unclear parts about this novel coronavirus and the related disease. The aim of this report is to evaluate the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in marine environments, which is one of the issues of very serious concern. Here, we reviewed the literature about the marine environment survival of human coronaviruses, some of the human respiratory viruses, and especially SARS-CoV-2. Salinity and the pH of the marine environment were the major key factors influencing the survival of SARS-CoV-2. The survival period of the coronaviruses was reported being decreased by the increase of the ocean’s salinity and pH levels. In conclusion, due to the high salt concentration, pH levels and dilution capacity, marine environments are not likely to be a risk factor for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.