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The role of biofouling and microbial colonization in shaping macroplastic fate in freshwaters
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Researchers ran a 12-week mesocosm experiment showing that biofouling by algae-dominated biofilms drives most tested plastics to sink in freshwater, with surface roughness governing colonization density and water quality — rather than polymer type — shaping the resulting microbial community.
Abstract Freshwater ecosystems in densely populated areas are susceptible to plastic pollution, often reaching concentrations higher than those in marine systems. The ‘plastisphere,’ a specialized microbial community on plastic surfaces, plays a crucial role in determining macroplastic fate and ecological impact. Here, in a 12-week mesocosm experiment simulating urban freshwater systems exposed to macroplastic, we investigated factors affecting polymer-specific biofilm formation, microbial community dynamics and macroplastic settling behaviour. Biofilm growth was significantly influenced by time and plastic type, with rough surfaces (for example, PS (polysytrene) lids, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) bags) supporting higher cell densities. Biofilm development altered buoyancy, increasing sinking rates of dense (PS lids, PLA (polylactic acid (plant-based biopolymer)) cups) and those with thick biofilms (HDPE and PE (polyethylene) bags). Algae accounted for ~99% of the estimated biofilm thickness. Microbial communities in the biofilm exhibited clear temporal succession with peak abundances of bacteria, algae and cyanobacteria over time. However, no differences were detected between biodegradable and conventional plastics. Early dominance of known biofilm-forming and potential plastic-degrading bacteria declined over time, indicating limited biodegradation potential. Overall, water quality primarily shaped microbial community composition, while plastic properties governed biofilm development and settling. Most tested plastics (six of eight) sank during the experiment, highlighting freshwater systems’ vulnerability to plastic accumulation and associated water quality degradation.
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Biogeochemical processes governing microplastic transport in freshwater reservoirs
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Researchers investigated how microbial activity and biogeochemical processes affect the physical transport and eventual sedimentation of microplastics in freshwater reservoirs. They found that biofouling — the colonisation of plastic surfaces by microorganisms and algae — is a key mechanism causing initially buoyant microplastics to sink and accumulate in reservoir sediments.
Microplastic-specific biofilm growth determines the vertical transport of plastics in freshwater
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Researchers studied biofilm growth on five different microplastic polymer types in freshwater over 63 days to understand how biological colonization affects sinking behavior. The study found that biofilm growth is polymer-specific and can significantly alter the density of microplastic particles, which in turn determines whether they sink or float, influencing their vertical transport through freshwater systems.
Effects of biofilm colonization on the sinking of microplastics in three freshwater environments
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A 44-day freshwater incubation experiment showed that biofilm colonization on PET, PP, and PVC microplastics promoted sinking in three Chinese water bodies, with biomass and chlorophyll levels varying by environment and influencing the rate of buoyancy change.
Plastic habitats: Algal biofilms on photic and aphotic plastics
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Researchers tracked algae colonizing plastic surfaces in a freshwater reservoir over six weeks, finding that different plastic types developed distinct algae communities and that plastic surfaces showed early signs of degradation — suggesting that biofouling may accelerate microplastic fragmentation in freshwater systems.
Effects of Biofouling on the Sinking Behavior of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments
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Biofouling — the colonization of microplastic surfaces by microorganisms — significantly alters particle density, causing buoyant plastics to sink and subsequently resurface as biofilm is lost, driving complex vertical transport dynamics in aquatic environments. This cycling behavior disperses microplastics throughout the water column and into sediments where they can be ingested by benthic organisms, expanding the ecological footprint of plastic pollution well beyond the ocean surface.
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