We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics, microfibers and associated microbiota biofilm analysis in seawater, a case study from the Vesuvian Coast, southern Italy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastics and microfibers in seawater along the Vesuvian Coast in Italy and characterized the microorganisms growing on their surfaces, known as the plastisphere. They identified potentially harmful bacteria colonizing the plastic particles, including species that could threaten both marine ecosystems and human health. The study highlights that microplastics in the ocean are not just a pollution problem but also serve as vehicles for spreading disease-causing microorganisms.
The growing concerns regarding pollution from microplastics (MPs) and microfibers (MFs) have driven the scientific community to develop new solutions for monitoring ecosystems. However, many of the proposed technologies still include protocols for treating environmental samples that may alter plastic materials, leading to inaccurate results both in observation and in counting. For this reason, we are refining a protocol, based on optical microscopy without the use of pretreatments, applicable to different environmental matrices, which allows not only counting but also a complete morphological characterization of MPs and MFs. Previously, the protocol has successfully been tested on marine sediments from the Vesuvian area of the Gulf of Naples (Italy) with good results. In the present study, we tested the protocol on MPs and MFs in seawater samples collected from the same geographical area to provide a comprehensive overview of their distribution in the marine environments. The protocol enabled not only the morphological characterization of MPs and MFs but also the collection of information on the colonies of microorganisms present on the microparticles. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) metagenomic technologies enabled us to characterize the microbiota composition of the sampled MPs, the so-called Plastisphere. The analytical approach allowed the characterization of several potentially pathogenic bacteria, which represent a potential threat to the environment and human health. In fact, they may exploit their ability to form biofilms on plastics to proliferate in marine ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
The ecology of the plastisphere: Microbial composition, function, assembly, and network in the freshwater and seawater ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the communities of bacteria and fungi that colonize microplastic surfaces in freshwater and seawater, forming what scientists call the plastisphere. These microplastic-associated communities were distinctly different from those in surrounding water, and included a higher proportion of disease-causing organisms and species involved in pollutant degradation. The findings suggest that microplastics create new habitats that can harbor pathogens and alter natural microbial ecosystems in ways that may affect water quality and human health.
Bacterial biofilms on microplastics in the Baltic Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
This study characterized bacterial biofilms forming on microplastics in Baltic Sea waters, identifying the microbial communities that colonize plastic surfaces and examining how the plastisphere differs from surrounding seawater microbiomes. The plastisphere can harbor distinct microbial communities, including potential pathogens, and may facilitate transport of harmful microbes through the ocean.
Microplastic biofilm in fresh- and wastewater as a function of microparticle type and size class
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the biofilm communities that form on microplastics of different types and sizes in both freshwater and wastewater, finding that biofilm composition was influenced by particle type, size, and water source. These findings advance understanding of the plastisphere — the microbial community unique to plastic surfaces — and its potential role in spreading microorganism-associated risks.
Community composition and seasonal dynamics of microplastic biota in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studied the microbial communities living on microplastics in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea across all four seasons over two years. They found that microplastics host a distinct and relatively stable community of bacteria and other organisms that differs from the surrounding seawater. This "plastisphere" ecosystem could serve as a vehicle for transporting potentially harmful microorganisms across ocean environments.
Marine Microbial Assemblages on Microplastics: Diversity, Adaptation, and Role in Degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines microbial communities that colonize microplastics in the ocean, collectively known as the plastisphere. Researchers found that these biofilms differ significantly from those on natural surfaces and may include pathogenic bacteria and species capable of partially degrading plastics. The study highlights both the ecological risks of microplastics as vectors for harmful microbes and the potential for harnessing plastic-degrading organisms.
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.