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Polymer-specific stimulation of sulfide and methane production by microplastics in sewer biofilm.
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Lab tests on sewer biofilm found that three types of microplastics (PET, PVC, PA6) each changed the biofilm's activity. PVC and PA6 increased sulfide production, while PET increased methane production, and these effects continued even after microplastic exposure stopped.
Microplastics (MPs) in wastewater elicit unintended impacts on bio-processes. However, little information is available regarding the response of sewer biofilm to MPs. This work clarifies how three structurally distinct MPs (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyamide 6 (PA6)) at 500 μg/L within the reported wastewater range influence sulfide and methane production in sewer biofilm during long-term exposure and after cessation of external MP addition. Results showed all MPs increased the sulfidogenic activity relative to the control, with PVC exhibiting the greatest increase (33.3 ± 1.8%), followed by PA6 (23.7 ± 6.2%) and PET (16.0 ± 2.4%). PET uniquely increased methane production (21.3 ± 3.9%, p < 0.01), while PVC and PA6 showed no significant effect. Critically, these enhanced activities persisted after terminating external MP addition, indicating that the functional effects of long-term MP exposure can extend into the post-dosing phase. Genetically determined EPS restructuring enabled sewer biofilm defense against MPs, with enhanced secretion and hydrophobic component binding forming protective barriers against both MPs and associated chemical stress. The pronounced sulfidogenic response under PVC exposure coincided with increased humic-substance content and electron transport system activity, suggesting that alterations in the extracellular redox environment contributed to sulfate reduction. PET-specific methanogenesis was closely associated with elevated F420 activity and greater acetate-associated metabolic potential. Additionally, microbial community restructuring revealed a substrate-focused adaptation characterized by increased representation of hydrolytic/acidogenic populations and enhanced upstream substrate-processing potential. Collectively, these results indicate that MPs alter sewer sulfur and carbon transformations through polymer-dependent changes across extracellular, microbial, and metabolic levels. This study underscores the pervasive presence of MPs in wastewater as a concealed threat that aggravates corrosion and greenhouse gas emission in sewer systems.
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