Biofilm Dynamics and Environmental Implications on Plastic Surfaces

The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in marine environments has fostered the development of biofilms on their surfaces, creating a distinct ecological niche known as the “plastisphere.” This chapter delves into the intricate interactions between plastics and microbial communities, focusing on the factors that drive biofilm formation and the broader implications for marine ecosystems and human health. The selective colonization of MPs by microbes highlights the unique nature of plastisphere communities, which differ significantly from the surrounding water column microbes. The plastisphere acts as a vector for invasive species and pathogenic microorganisms, potentially disrupting local microbial communities and posing health risks. Biofilm formation on MPs enhances their adsorption capacity for heavy metals, with microbial composition playing a pivotal role in metal adsorption specificity and efficiency. Furthermore, biofilms on MPs can act both as sinks and as sources of pollutants, accumulating contaminants and potentially releasing them back into the environment under certain conditions. This dual role highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of biofilm dynamics to develop effective pollution mitigation strategies. This chapter provides an extensive overview of current knowledge on plastisphere interactions, emphasizing their ecological significance and the potential risks and benefits of biofilm-mediated pollutant transport in marine ecosystems.