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Harnessing microorganisms for multiscale biodegradation of microplastics and nanoplastics in terrestrial and aquatic environments
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics and nanoplastics have spread throughout our soil and water, and scientists once thought they'd stick around forever—but this review of existing research shows certain microbes and environmental conditions (like sunlight, heat, and moisture) can actually break some of them down. This matters because it hints at future cleanup methods using bacteria, fungi, or even plants working with microbes to reduce plastic pollution before it builds up further in our food and water supplies. That said, scientists still don't fully understand how this breakdown happens or whether it's safe and scalable enough to rely on, so more research is needed before this
Micro- and nanoplastics (MnPs) are now widely distributed across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to the continuous input of plastic waste, including packaging materials, beverage containers, and agricultural mulch films. Although MnPs have long been regarded as highly persistent and largely non-biodegradable, emerging evidence suggests that measurable biodegradation may occur under favorable environmental conditions, with reported degradation rates exceeding 10% in some cases. Such conditions include ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, elevated temperatures, adequate moisture, and the presence of specialized microbial communities. These findings challenge conventional assumptions regarding the environmental persistence of MnPs and indicate potential opportunities for microbial-based remediation strategies. However, significant knowledge gaps remain. The mechanisms governing MnP biodegradation, environmental transport, and transformation processes are still poorly understood, and uncertainties persist regarding their long-term ecological and human health impacts. In addition, effective translation of laboratory-scale observations into scalable, real-world remediation strategies remains a major challenge. This review synthesizes current knowledge of MnP–microorganism interactions, emphasizing multiscale processes and the key barriers that limit field application. We examine microbial degradation pathways and their effects on microbial community structure and function, while identifying critical gaps in mechanistic understanding. Given the strong coupling between plants and microbial communities in natural ecosystems, we further highlight plant–microorganism–MnP interactions as an underexplored but potentially important component of MnP fate and transformation. Finally, we outline research priorities for advancing MnP monitoring, risk assessment, and remediation in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. These include investigating microbial consortia and biofilm dynamics, enhancing soil-based filtration and stabilization processes, and leveraging plant–microbe interactions. We also emphasize the need to bridge laboratory, field, and landscape-scale studies to enable the development of effective, scalable MnP mitigation strategies.
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics accumulate in soil and break down biologically, finding that certain microorganisms can form biofilms on plastic surfaces and use enzymes to slowly degrade the polymers — though conditions like pH, temperature, and moisture must be optimized and new plastic-degrading microbes need to be identified before this approach can be widely applied.
Harnessing Microorganisms for Microplastic Degradation: A Sustainable Approach to Mitigating Environmental Pollution
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This review surveys microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, and other taxa—capable of degrading microplastics, examining the enzymes, metabolic pathways, and environmental conditions involved, and assessing the practical potential of harnessing these organisms for bioremediation of plastic pollution.
Cleaning Up the Smallest Pollutants: The Potential of Microbial Degradation in Tackling Micro- and Nano-Plastic Pollution
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Researchers reviewed the potential of microbes to break down micro- and nanoplastics in the environment, including in agricultural soils where plastics enter the food chain. While microbial degradation shows promise as a cleanup strategy, significant challenges remain before it can be applied at scale.
Microbial Bioremediation of Microplastics
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Tiny plastic bits called microplastics are now everywhere in our environment—and even in our bodies—raising concerns about long-term health effects. This review paper rounds up what scientists currently know about using bacteria and other microbes to break down these plastic particles, a promising cleanup strategy, while also pointing out the challenges researchers still need to solve before it works at scale. The takeaway: nature may offer tools to help tackle plastic pollution, but we're not there yet, so reducing microplastic use in the first place still matters for protecting our health.
Microplastic biodegradation and environmental safety: From microbial mechanisms to engineered systems and circular bio-based implementation.
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This research review summarizes what scientists know about using bacteria and enzymes to break down microplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm that contaminate our water, soil, and air. While these biological approaches show promise for removing dangerous plastic pollution from the environment, the methods don't always work completely and may create new harmful byproducts. The findings matter because microplastics can enter our food chain and bodies, so we need safe and effective ways to remove them without creating new health risks.
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