Polystyrene nanoplastics enhance macrophyte litter decomposition via bacterial-fungal interactions in urban lake

Temporal dynamics of bacterial and fungal colonization on polystyrene microplastics in floodplain soils

Bacterial communities on microplastics in a wetland ecosystem

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Analysis of bacterial communities on microplastics in Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, found that MP surfaces host distinct microbial assemblages with lower diversity but unique taxa enriched with Pseudomonas, and that MPs facilitate bacterial exchange between water and sediment. The plastisphere — the microbial community colonizing MP surfaces — may serve as a vector for pathogens and disease-associated microbes, raising concerns about ecological disruption and indirect human health risks through contaminated freshwater.

Polystyrene nanoparticles intensify the algae-mediated negative priming effect on leaf litter decomposition

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Researchers showed that polystyrene nanoplastics intensify the natural inhibitory effect of benthic algae on leaf litter decomposition in streams, reducing decomposition rates by 21%, by depleting labile carbon transfer from algae to fungal decomposers and reducing fungal diversity, including key decomposer genera essential for aquatic nutrient cycling.

Coexistence of cyanobacteria and microplastics in eutrophic lake ecosystems: Interactions and combined effects

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Microplastics and harmful algae (cyanobacteria) often build up together in polluted lakes, and this review of existing research shows they actually affect each other, plastics stress out the algae, while algae can coat plastics and change how they break down or sink. This combo appears to make lake pollution worse for fish and other wildlife than either problem alone, which matters since these same lakes can be sources of drinking water and food, meaning the risks to human health may be greater than previously understood.

Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Climate Warming Affects the Bacteria-Driven Macrophyte Litter Decomposition in an Urban Lake

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Researchers conducted a 30-day microcosm experiment to study how climate warming and polystyrene microplastics interact to affect plant litter decomposition in lake ecosystems. The study found that combined warming and high microplastic concentrations promoted litter decomposition by increasing bacterial biomass and diversity, but also raised concerns by boosting potentially harmful bacteria on microplastic surfaces.