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Plastisphere–biofouling nexus: a systematic and bibliometric synthesis of emerging microbial assemblages on microplastics in coastal waters
Original title: Plastisphere–biofouling nexus: a systematic and bibliometric synthesis of emerging microbial assemblages on microplastics in coastal waters
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Tiny plastic bits floating in coastal waters act like rafts for bacteria, forming a slimy microbial community scientists call the "plastisphere" — and this review of 124 studies found that some potentially harmful bacteria, like Vibrio (a group that includes food poisoning and infection-causing strains), can be part of that mix. However, the evidence is still too inconsistent to say whether these plastic-riding microbes actually pose a real risk to human health, so more standardized research is needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Microplastics in coastal waters provide persistent surfaces for microbial colonization and biofilm formation, supporting complex microbial assemblages known as the plastisphere. This study examines the plastisphere–biofouling nexus through a PRISMA-guided systematic review, bibliometric mapping, narrative-quantitative synthesis, and conceptual evidence integration of studies published between 2015 and 2025. From 1,248 records identified in Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus, 124 primary studies were retained for comparative synthesis. The reviewed evidence shows that microplastics frequently support distinct biofilm-associated microbial communities, although reported patterns vary across polymer type, exposure duration, environmental setting, microbial method, and biofilm measurement approach. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were repeatedly reported among dominant bacterial groups, while opportunistic genera such as Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas were detected in some plastisphere biofilms. Evidence for polymer-specific microbial diversity, contaminant retention, and environmental-driver effects remains context-dependent. Biofilm-coated microplastics may modify contaminant interactions under specific conditions, but current evidence does not support universal contaminant enhancement, confirmed pathogen transmission, or direct human health risk. This review identifies the plastisphere–biofouling nexus as an emerging ecological interface in coastal waters and highlights the need for standardized, field-relevant, and functionally validated studies.
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Plastisphere–biofouling nexus: a systematic and bibliometric synthesis of emerging microbial assemblages on microplastics in coastal waters
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Tiny plastic bits floating in coastal water act like little rafts that bacteria and other microbes can grow on, forming a slimy coating scientists call the "plastisphere." This review of over 100 studies found that these microbial communities sometimes include bacteria like Vibrio, which can cause illness, but the evidence is too inconsistent right now to say these plastic-riding microbes actually pose a proven health risk to people. Bottom line: it's a real and growing area of concern worth watching, but more standardized research is needed before drawing firm conclusions about human health effects.
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This review examines how microplastics in the ocean serve as floating platforms for Vibrio bacteria, which are significant pathogens threatening aquaculture and marine ecosystem health. Researchers found that the so-called plastisphere, the microbial community that colonizes plastic surfaces, can enhance the survival and spread of these harmful bacteria. The study highlights a concerning link between plastic pollution and the potential amplification of waterborne disease risks.
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Plastic waste in the ocean isn't just floating debris — it's covered in living microbial communities, sometimes called the "plastisphere," that can include harmful bacteria and can carry pollutants through the marine food chain. This review pulls together current research on how these microbes grow on plastic and interact with ocean chemicals, highlighting concerns that this could help spread disease-causing germs and contaminants to seafood and, ultimately, to people. The authors note that scientists still don't fully understand how these microbial hitchhikers form or exactly how risky they are, so more research is needed before we can accurately assess the health risks.
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This review examines the microbial communities — the "plastisphere" — that colonize floating plastic debris in the ocean, discussing how these biofilms form, who lives in them, and what risks they may pose to marine ecosystems and human health. The unique chemistry and buoyancy of plastic creates a novel habitat that can transport potentially harmful microbes across ocean basins.
Plastisphere-biofouling nexus: a systematic and bibliometric synthesis of emerging microbial assemblages on microplastics in coastal waters.
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic bits floating in coastal waters act like little rafts that bacteria and other microbes can grow on, forming their own communities (sometimes called the "plastisphere"). This review of 124 studies found that while these microbial hitchhikers are real and sometimes include bacteria linked to infections, there's currently no solid proof that this makes microplastics more dangerous to human health—scientists still need more consistent research to know for sure.
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