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Wastewater-induced microplastic biofouling in freshwater: role of particle size and flow velocity
Summary
This study examined how wastewater discharge promotes biofouling — the colonization of microplastics by microorganisms — in freshwater environments, finding that particle size and wastewater-derived nutrients both influenced biofilm formation rates and community composition. Wastewater-exposed microplastics rapidly developed distinct microbial communities.
Illustrating microplastics' pivotal role in freshwater biofilm dynamics and pathogen transport.
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