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From Microplastic Impact to Biodegradation Solutions: Investigating Microplastic Pollution, Microbial Responses, and Efficacy of Synthetic Microbial Consortia in Plastic Degradation
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in 87% of soil samples from public parks in the UAE, and these plastics also messed with the natural behavior of marine bacteria, hinting at broader disruptions to ecosystems we depend on. The good news: researchers identified bacteria strains that can help break down PET plastic (the kind used in water bottles), offering a promising tool for cleaning up plastic pollution before it accumulates further in soil, water, and potentially our food chain.
Plastics, including microplastics, pose significant environmental threats due to their widespread presence and harmful ecological effects. This dissertation present three distinct, yet interconnected studies. First, a study on microplastic contamination in urban recreational parks was conducted in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Results showed that low-density microplastics were present in 87% of soil samples, with spectroscopic analysis identifying synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Additionally, these microplastics were found to negatively affect soil pH and moisture levels, emphasizing the need for enhanced monitoring and management strategies. Second, the effects of ground microplastics on Photobacterium leiognathi strains, a marine luminous bacterium, were examined. Findings revealed that microplastic exposure altered bioluminescence, cell viability, and influenced biofilm formation. Moreover, strain-specific responses indicated that ground microplastics disrupted quorum sensing, suggesting that these plastic particles act as environmental stressors on marine microorganisms. Lastly, to address polyethylene terephthalate persistence, synthetic microbial consortia or microbial communities were developed. These consortia demonstrated potentially for enhance polyethylene terephthalate degradation via synergistic microbial interactions, biofilm formation, and enzymatic activity. The study also conducted whole genome sequencing of two bacterial strains, Bacillus safensis F18 and Escherichia coli 9SH, that have potential application in plastic biodegradation. The B. safensis F18 possessed known plastic-degrading enzyme called hydrolase. Therefore, these findings offer promising strategies for mitigating plastic pollution through microbial degradation. Overall, this dissertation contributes to the understanding of microplastic pollution impacts and offer promising bioremediation approaches, with potential applications in industrial-scale waste management.
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Isolation and Characterization of PET-Degrading Bacteria from Plastic Waste- Contaminated Soil in Western India
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Scientists found bacteria living in plastic-polluted soil in India that can actually break down PET plastic (the type used in water bottles and food packaging). This matters because PET plastic pollution is a major source of the microplastics now found in our food, water, and even our bodies — and these natural bacteria could eventually help clean up plastic waste before it breaks down into the tiny particles that pose health risks.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments: a systematic review of bacterial degradation efficacy, mechanisms, and future pathways
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Scientists reviewed 80 studies and found that certain bacteria can break down microplastics—tiny plastic particles polluting our water—by "eating" them with special enzymes. The bacteria work best on some plastics like PET (used in water bottles), breaking down up to 50% in just days, but struggle with tougher plastics like grocery bags. While this bacterial cleanup shows promise for reducing plastic pollution that can enter our food chain, it currently only works well in controlled lab settings, not in real oceans and rivers.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
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Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
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Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Synergistic functional activity of a landfill microbial consortium in a microplastic-enriched environment
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Scientists studied soil bacteria from a decades-old landfill to understand how microbes adapt to high concentrations of polyethylene and PET microplastics. They found that multiple bacterial species work together to break down these plastics, with different roles for bacteria floating freely versus those attached to plastic surfaces. While biodegradation of microplastics is possible, it is slow, and understanding these natural processes could eventually help with cleanup efforts.
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