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Association between microplastics and biofilm: a new perspective for monitoring microplastics in urban rivers
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Researchers reviewed the use of biofilms as a monitoring matrix for microplastics in urban rivers, drawing on literature about microplastic occurrence in Brazilian rivers and biofilm-associated adsorption of emerging contaminants in freshwater. The study argues that biofilm analysis offers a complementary perspective to water and sediment monitoring because biofilms accumulate pollutants over days, providing an integrated signal of microplastic exposure in the water column.
Biofilm has an enormous capacity to accumulate pollutants, reflecting what happens for days in the water column of a river. However, there is a gap in using biofilm as a matrix for monitoring microplastics, especially in urban rivers. This study proposed using biofilms in environmental monitoring investigations of microplastic occurrence as a significant contribution to water and sediment analysis. To this end, a bibliographic review was carried out on databases regarding: monitoring microplastics in Brazilian rivers; and adsorption of emerging contaminants in microplastics associated with biofilms in fresh water. Additionally, the relevance of biofilms as bioaccumulators of pollution in their environment was highlighted. Based on the studies analyzed, it was observed that the evaluation of biofilms could broaden the view of microplastic pollution occurring within a water body, especially when compared to the analysis of water and sediment in the same period and environment.
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Investigating microplastic adsorption by natural biofilms: Insights from the metro river ecosystem
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Researchers studied biofilms, the slimy layers of microorganisms growing on surfaces, in the Metro River in Indonesia. Biofilms contained far more microplastic particles than the surrounding river water, and lab tests showed the biofilms could bind substantial amounts of microplastic to their surfaces, suggesting biofilms may temporarily hold microplastics in rivers.
Interactions between microplastics and benthic biofilms in fluvial ecosystems: Knowledge gaps and future trends
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This review examines the interactions between microplastics and benthic biofilms in freshwater ecosystems, identifying key knowledge gaps around how biofilms influence microplastic fate and transport, and calling for more field-based research to understand these complex ecological relationships.
Influence of microplastics on nutrients and metal concentrations in river sediments
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Researchers investigated how microplastics influence nutrient and metal concentrations in river sediments, finding that microplastics alter the distribution of pollutants through their capacity to adsorb contaminants and support biofilm formation on their hydrophobic surfaces.
Distribution, biological effects and biofilms of microplastics in freshwater systems - A review
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This review examines microplastic distribution, biological effects, and biofilm formation in freshwater systems, highlighting knowledge gaps compared to marine studies and the ecological risks posed by microplastics as vectors for pathogens and pollutants.
Analysis of Microplastics in Water and Biofilm Matrices in Lahor Reservoirs, East Java, Indonesia
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Researchers detected microplastics in both water and biofilm samples from Lahor Reservoir in East Java, Indonesia, finding that biofilms accumulate microplastics and may serve as a useful monitoring matrix for assessing plastic contamination in freshwater reservoir ecosystems.
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.