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Mangrove microbiomes: diversity, ecological functions, and applications
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This review pulls together existing research on the trillions of bacteria and fungi living in mangrove forests, which help break down pollution, including microplastics and heavy metals, while storing carbon and supporting coastal ecosystems. These microbes may hold promise for new enzymes and natural compounds useful in medicine and biotech, but scientists say more long-term research is needed to fully unlock their potential.
Mangrove ecosystems are dynamic coastal environments that offer essential ecological services, socioeconomic benefits, and resilience against climate change. Central to their functionality there are complex microbial communities—primarily bacteria and fungi—that drive key biogeochemical processes such as organic matter decomposition, nitrogen fixation, carbon sequestration, and sulfur cycling. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on mangrove microbiomes, focusing on microbial taxonomic diversity, ecological roles, and environmental responsiveness. The effect of abiotic factors such as salinity, tidal regimes, vegetation type, and anthropogenic pressures on microbial community structure and function is also assessed. Key findings highlight the presence of both conserved microbial taxa across biogeographic regions and functional adaptations to local conditions, underscoring the global ecological significance of these microbial assemblages. Particular attention is given to microbe-mediated nutrient cycling, symbiotic plant–microbe interactions, and microbial contributions to pollutant degradation, including microplastics and heavy metals. Additionally, recent advances in omics-based approaches have expanded our understanding of microbial functionality and unveiled promising avenues for biotechnological applications, such as enzyme production and bioactive compound discovery. The review also identifies critical knowledge gaps, including the need for long-term monitoring, methodological standardization, and integrated multi-omics frameworks. Overall, recognizing microbial communities as foundational components of mangrove health is essential for effective conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable resource management in the face of accelerating global environmental change.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics Intercepted in Mangrove Forests: Sources, Generation, and Mitigation Strategies
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This review paper looks at how plastic waste builds up and breaks down into microplastics in mangrove forests—coastal ecosystems that trap trash from the ocean, land, and even air. This matters because mangroves are nurseries for fish and seafood we eat, so microplastics trapped there can work their way up the food chain and onto our plates. The researchers highlight using bacteria and other microbes as a promising, natural way to help break down this plastic pollution before it spreads further.
A review on microplastic pollution in the mangrove wetlands and microbial strategies for its remediation
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Researchers reviewed the growing problem of microplastic pollution in mangrove wetland ecosystems and its effects on the biological communities that depend on these habitats. They found that microplastic exposure can substantially alter the microbial communities critical to nutrient cycling in mangrove environments. The review also explores microbial bioremediation strategies as a sustainable approach to addressing plastic pollution in these threatened coastal ecosystems.
Microplastics and heavy metals reshape mangrove rhizosphere microbiomes and compromise carbon fixation potential
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Researchers investigated how microplastics and heavy metals together affect the microbial communities around mangrove tree roots. They found that combined pollution significantly reduced microbial diversity and shifted the balance of bacterial species, which in turn compromised the ability of these ecosystems to capture and store carbon. The study highlights that microplastic-metal co-contamination poses a compounding threat to mangrove ecosystems, which play an important role in coastal carbon storage.
Role of mangrove forest in interception of microplastics (MPs): Challenges, progress, and prospects
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This review examines how mangrove forests intercept and accumulate microplastics from terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric sources, identifying knowledge gaps in understanding the mechanisms, ecological impacts, and long-term fate of trapped microplastics in mangrove ecosystems.
Microplastics pollution in mangrove ecosystems: A critical review of current knowledge and future directions
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This review synthesizes available research on microplastic pollution in mangrove ecosystems, which act as buffers between land and sea and accumulate plastics from both marine and terrestrial sources. The authors identify key gaps in knowledge and call for more research on how microplastics affect these ecologically critical habitats.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.