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Epilithic biofilm as a potential biomonitor for microplastics contamination in Brantas River of Malang City, Indonesia
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Researchers discovered that epilithic biofilm growing on river rocks in Indonesia's Brantas River contained microplastic-degrading bacteria whose composition correlated with local microplastic counts, suggesting these natural biofilms could serve as biomonitors for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
Despite being an efficient bioremediation agent, aquatic biofilm's usefulness as a biomonitor has not been explored extensively. This study disclosed the potential of epilithic biofilm as biomonitor by comparing its metagenomics with water quality parameters and microplastic count in Brantas River. Metagenomics showed the epilithic biofilm was dominated by Exiguobacterium, which recognizes and degrades microplastics, along with Rhodobacterium and Rhizobiales. For the first time, biofilm microbes and their respective roles were discovered to correspond to the total microplastic counts in comparison with BOD as the only transgressing physicochemical parameter. Thus, epilithic biofilm is a potential biomonitor for riverine microplastic contaminations.
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Analysis of Microplastics in Water and Biofilm Matrices in Lahor Reservoirs, East Java, Indonesia
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Researchers detected microplastics in both water and biofilm samples from Lahor Reservoir in East Java, Indonesia, finding that biofilms accumulate microplastics and may serve as a useful monitoring matrix for assessing plastic contamination in freshwater reservoir ecosystems.
Association between microplastics and biofilm: a new perspective for monitoring microplastics in urban rivers
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Researchers reviewed the use of biofilms as a monitoring matrix for microplastics in urban rivers, drawing on literature about microplastic occurrence in Brazilian rivers and biofilm-associated adsorption of emerging contaminants in freshwater. The study argues that biofilm analysis offers a complementary perspective to water and sediment monitoring because biofilms accumulate pollutants over days, providing an integrated signal of microplastic exposure in the water column.
Biofilms on plastic litter in an urban river: Community composition and activity vary by substrate type
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Researchers examined biofilms colonizing plastic litter versus natural surfaces in an urban river, finding that community composition and metabolic activity vary by substrate type, with plastic surfaces hosting distinct microbial communities that may influence plastic degradation rates.
Distinctive patterns of bacterial community succession in the riverine micro-plastisphere in view of biofilm development and ecological niches
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Scientists studied how bacterial communities develop on microplastics versus natural materials in river water and found that plastics support a distinct pattern of microbial colonization. The research identified specific bacteria capable of degrading microplastics and revealed that competition among microbes on plastic surfaces follows unexpected patterns compared to natural substrates.
Analysis of Microplastics in Water and Biofilm Matrices in Metro River, East Java, Indonesia
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Researchers detected microplastics in both water and biofilm matrices across three stations of the Metro River in East Java, Indonesia, with the industrial activity station showing the highest contamination, and fibers being the most common particle shape identified.
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.