We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Decoding Microplastic-InducedAdaptive Strategiesin Electroactive Biofilms: Stress Resistance Pathways and EnhancedExtracellular Electron Transfer
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how PVC and polypropylene microplastics trigger different adaptive strategies in electroactive biofilms, finding PVC induced enzyme upregulation to enhance electron transfer while PP caused hydrophobic stress and biofilm restructuring — both strategies ultimately preserving bioelectrochemical function.
Elucidating how electroactive biofilms (EABs) maintain robust extracellular electron transfer (EET) functionality under prolonged microplastic (MP) exposure, this study addresses a critical knowledge gap in their stress resistance repertoire. Through integrated electrochemical profiling, physiological assessment, and microbial structure analysis, we demonstrate MP-type-specific microbial adaptation strategies. Notably, polyvinyl (PVC) MPs, with a zeta potential of −18.87 mV, induced metabolic adaptation through NAD-malate dehydrogenase (NAD-MDH) upregulation (+42.33%) and cytochrome c (c-Cyts) synthesis (+24.14%), enhancing the electron flux in metabolism. Prolonged exposure to polypropylene (PP) MPs, characterized by strong hydrophobicity (contact angle of 129°), heightened bacterial viability, as indicated by a 2.53% increase in the proportion of living cells. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs drove ecological selection for Geobacter dominance (71.58% abundance) with adaptive extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production (1734.64 μg/mg protein), reinforcing electroactivity and microbial stability. Correlation analysis identified c-Cyts and cell viability as reliable indicators of the electroactivity of EABs across MP types. These findings refine our understanding of EAB stress tolerance, advancing environmental monitoring, bioremediation strategies, and the design of evolutionarily robust microbial electrochemical technologies.
More Papers Like This
Decoding Microplastic-Induced Adaptive Strategies in Electroactive Biofilms: Stress Resistance Pathways and Enhanced Extracellular Electron Transfer
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how PVC and polypropylene microplastics trigger different stress responses in electroactive biofilms used in bioelectrochemical systems, finding PVC induced metabolic adaptation through enzyme upregulation while PP caused physical biofilm restructuring — both ultimately maintaining extracellular electron transfer function.
Electroactive properties of EABs in response to long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics/nanoplastics and the underlying adaptive mechanisms
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how long-term exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affects bacteria that generate electricity in biofilms, which are used in wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring. After initial disruption, the bacteria adapted and actually increased their electrical activity over time. While technically focused on biofilm applications, the findings show that microplastics can fundamentally alter microbial behavior in the environment, which may have broader implications for how polluted ecosystems function.
Electrochemical and microbiological response of exoelectrogenic biofilm to polyethylene microplastics in water
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics impaired exoelectrogenic biofilms used in microbial electrochemical water treatment by reducing electroactive bacteria abundance, suppressing electron transfer genes, and increasing system resistance.
Structural and Functional Characteristics of Microplastic Associated Biofilms in Response to Temporal Dynamics and Polymer Types
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that biofilm structural and functional characteristics on microplastics differ significantly depending on polymer type (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) and change over time, with implications for understanding microbial colonization and the plastisphere.
Rapid Physicochemical Changes in Microplastic Induced by Biofilm Formation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how biofilm formation rapidly changes the physical and chemical properties of microplastics over a two-week period. The study found significant two-way interactions between microbial communities and plastic surfaces, with biofilm colonization altering surface properties of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, while the type of polymer influenced which microbial communities developed.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.