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Leveraging Biocatalyst-H2O2-Driven Microplastic Degradation: Waterborne Microplastic Breakdown and Soil Microbial Community Shifts
Summary
Researchers developed a ferromagnetic carbonaceous biocatalyst called MacBioNic and used it with hydrogen peroxide to degrade PET microplastics in water. The study identified PET degradation intermediates confirming successful polymer breakdown, and high-throughput sequencing showed that the treatment stimulated growth of plastic-degrading microbial communities in soil, suggesting a synergistic approach combining chemical oxidation with biological degradation.
Microplastics are acknowledged as a diverse and significant category of global pollutants. Despite the pervasive nature of microplastic contamination throughout terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric niches, these are considered independent but are intrinsically interconnected. Given the high toxicity of microplastics and the challenges associated with their removal and degradation, there remains a pressing need to investigate new, effective, and eco-friendly mitigation strategies. In this study, a ferromagnetic carbonaceous biocatalyst, MacBioNic, was synthesized using a facile and green approach. The biocatalyst-mediated adsorption and significant degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film through MacBioNic-H2O2-mediated oxidation in the aqueous medium was evident. PET degradation intermediates, BHET and TPA, were identified, signifying successful polymer adsorption on MacBioNic and consequent degradation via the H2O2-mediated advanced oxidation process. The synergistic effect between biocatalyst-biostimulant (MacBioNic-H2O2) and microbial counterparts was investigated in the soil microenvironment. High-throughput sequencing results demonstrated an upsurge of plastic degraders and microbial metabolic response, corroborated by the identification of PET degradation products. In contrast to continuous flux, a single dosage of H2O2 acted as a biostimulant, accelerating the growth and co-occurrence of bacterial-fungal communities and corresponding oxidative enzymes, eventually enhancing the biodegradation rate. The abundance of functional genes associated with nutrient cycling and xenobiotic degradation indicates the potential effectiveness of this method in soil remediation and plastic depolymerization. These findings underscore the relevance of the developed multifaceted strategy in addressing the rising issue of microplastic contamination, providing valuable insights for combating environmental pollution and supporting sustainable agriculture.