Beyond the Surface: Biofilms and Microplastics in Aquatic Systems

Microplastics, ubiquitous fragments of plastic pollution, have invaded aquatic ecosystems, raising alarms about their long-term impacts. But they’re not alone on this voyage. Invisible communities of microorganisms, known as biofilms, colonize their surfaces, altering their fate and potential risk pathways. This review delves into this intricate and dynamic relationship, exploring how biofilms influence the transport, degradation, and potential toxicity of microplastics in aquatic environments. We examine the unique composition and activities of these “microplastic hitchhikers”, revealing their role in enhancing pollutant attachment, facilitating biodegradation, and even promoting microplastic aggregation and sinking. Further, we address the concerning role of biofilms in amplifying antibiotic resistance and harboring pathogenic microbes, raising potential human health implications. By comprehensively unraveling the tangled web of microplastic-biofilm interactions, this chapter aims to pave the way for informed mitigation strategies and environmental protection measures, towards a future where aquatic ecosystems are no longer burdened by these insidious hitchhikers.