We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Response of sedimentary microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes to aged Micro(Nano)plastics exposure under high hydrostatic pressure
Summary
Researchers investigated how aged microplastics and nanoplastics affect sedimentary microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes under high pressure conditions simulating the deep sea. They found that nanoplastics significantly reduced bacterial diversity and simplified microbial network complexity, while both micro- and nanoplastics increased the importance of random processes in shaping microbial communities. Short-term exposure decreased antibiotic resistance gene abundance, but longer four-month exposure increased it, suggesting that prolonged plastic pollution in deep-sea sediments could promote the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Several studies reported that the presence of microplastics (MPs)/nanoplastics (NPs) in marine environments can alter microbial community and function. Yet, the impact of aged MPs/NPs on deep sea sedimentary ecosystems under high hydrostatic pressure remains insufficiently explored. Herein, the sedimentary microbial community composition, co-occurrence network, assembly, and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in response to aged MPs/NPs were investigated. Compared with the control, NPs addition significantly reduced bacterial alpha diversity (p < 0.05), whereas MPs showed no significant impact (p > 0.05). Moreover, networks under NPs exhibited decreased complexity than that under MPs and the control, including edges, average degree, and the number of keystone. The assembly of the microbial community was primarily governed by stochastic processes, and aged MPs/NPs increased the importance of stochastic processes. Moreover, exposure to MPs/NPs for one month decreased the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) (from 94.8 to 36.2 TPM), while exposure for four months increased the abundance (from 40.6 to 88.1 TPM), and the shift of ARGs in sediment was driven by both functional modules and microbial community. This study is crucial for understanding the stress imposed by aged MPs/NPs on sedimentary ecosystems under high hydrostatic pressure.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic aging mediates bacterial and antibiotic resistance gene composition in plastisphere and the associated soil solution
Researchers ran a microcosm experiment comparing how pristine versus aged microplastics influenced bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) composition in the plastisphere and surrounding soil solution. Aged MPs enriched distinct ARGs and microbial taxa compared to pristine MPs, suggesting MP weathering intensifies the spread of antibiotic resistance in soils.
Revealing the response of microbial communities to polyethylene micro(nano)plastics exposure in cold seep sediment
Researchers explored how polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics affect microbial communities in cold seep ocean sediments over a 120-day experiment. While the plastics did not significantly change overall microbial diversity, they did alter the community structure and affected methane-related metabolic processes. The study suggests that plastic pollution could interfere with important deep-sea biogeochemical cycles, including those involved in methane regulation.
Influence of microplastics on the structure and function of deep-sea communities during long-term enrichment processes
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect deep-sea microbial communities over 50 days of incubation. They observed that microorganisms caused visible degradation of the plastic surfaces, while the smallest particles and plastic films significantly inhibited bacterial growth and increased reactive oxygen species production. The study reveals that microplastic pollution can substantially alter deep-sea microbial community structure and function.
Effects of Different Types of Microplastics on Cold Seep Microbial Diversity and Function
Researchers simulated deep-sea cold seep conditions to study how different microplastics affect microbial communities. They found that microplastics made the plastisphere microbial networks more fragile than surrounding environments and disrupted nitrogen cycling and methane metabolism, while potentially concentrating pathogenic species.
Microplastic type and concentration affect prokaryotic community structure and species coexistence in deep-sea cold seep sediments
Researchers conducted incubation experiments with cold seep sediments amended with four microplastic types (polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene) at varying concentrations, finding that both MP type and concentration significantly altered prokaryotic community structure and species coexistence patterns.