We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Urban Lakes of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and Its Potential Mitigation Using Bacterial Extracellular Polymeric Substances (eps)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers checked water from two urban lakes in Coimbatore, India for tiny plastic particles and tested whether a substance made by bacteria could clump them together. The substance formed visible clumps with the plastic particles in water samples, suggesting it may help gather microplastics, though exact plastic amounts and how well this method works still need further study.
Abstract : Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental concern due to the persistence of plasticparticles in aquatic ecosystems and their potential impacts on aquatic organisms and water quality. The present studyaimed to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in two urban lakes, Ukkadam–Valankulam Lakeand Kurichi Lake, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, and to explore the potential application of bacterial extracellularpolymeric substances (EPS) for microplastic aggregation. Water samples collected from the selected locations wereprocessed by filtration, followed by organic matter digestion and density separation. Suspected microplastic particleswere examined based on their morphological characteristics, including shape, size, and colour, and Fourier-transforminfrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for preliminary investigation of their chemical characteristics. Bacterial EPSwas extracted from culture supernatant using cold ethanol precipitation. The extracted EPS was subsequently added tomicroplastic-containing water samples to evaluate its aggregation potential. The observations documented in the studyindicated the formation of visible aggregates following EPS treatment, while microscopic examination suggested theassociation of microplastic particles with the EPS matrix. These findings indicate that bacterial EPS may facilitatemicroplastic aggregation through bioflocculation, potentially supporting subsequent particle separation from water.However, quantitative microplastic concentrations, confirmed polymer identities and EPS-mediated removalefficiencies require further validation. The study provides preliminary insights into microplastic contamination in urbanfreshwater ecosystems and highlights the potential of bacterial EPS as a biological agent for microplastic aggregation.Further quantitative investigations are necessary to establish the effectiveness and practical applicability of thisapproach for aquatic environmental management.
More Papers Like This
Hidden sinks of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments: The EPS-mediated eco-corona perspective
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists have wondered why they find far less plastic pollution floating in lakes, rivers, and oceans than expected, this review suggests one answer: sticky natural substances produced by bacteria and algae coat tiny plastic particles, causing them to clump together and sink into deeper water and sediment rather than staying at the surface. This matters because current water testing mostly checks surface water, meaning we may be significantly underestimating how much microplastic is actually in aquatic ecosystems (and potentially in the fish and seafood we eat), since it's hiding deeper than we've been looking.
Molecular weight fractionated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) impart different aggregation characteristics on polystyrene nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studied how natural substances from bacteria affect tiny plastic particles in water and found that these substances can either make the plastics stick together or stay separated, depending on their size and the water conditions. This matters for human health because it changes how plastic nanoparticles behave in the environment - they might clump together and sink out of water, or stay floating around where we could breathe or drink them. Understanding this process helps predict where these tiny plastics end up and how much exposure people might face.
Microbial Dynamics on Different Microplastics in Coastal Urban Aquatic Ecosystems: The Critical Roles of Extracellular Polymeric Substances
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microbial communities colonize different types of microplastics in urban coastal waters, forming distinct ecosystems known as plastispheres. They found that the type of plastic significantly shaped which bacteria grew on it and how much sticky extracellular material they produced. Understanding these microbial communities on microplastics matters because they can harbor harmful bacteria and influence how pollutants move through aquatic environments.
Microplastics removal from water body by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from microalge through surfactants pre-treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers explored using extracellular polymeric substances extracted from microalgae — combined with surfactant pretreatment — to remove microplastics from water. The biological approach showed promise as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional filtration methods.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Hotspots and Progress on Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Bioremediation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together decades of research on a sticky substance made by bacteria (called EPS) that can trap and break down pollutants like microplastics, antibiotics, and drug-resistant genes in water and soil. This matters because these substances could offer a natural, low-cost way to clean up environmental contaminants that eventually make their way into our food, water, and bodies—though scientists note that making enough of this bacterial substance cheaply enough for widespread use is still a hurdle to overcome.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.