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Seasonal variation of microplastics in tagus estuary and its interaction with microbial community

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) 2024 Score: 35 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Marta Dias, Marta Dias, Paula Sobral Marta Dias, Paula Sobral Neusa Figueiredo, Neusa Figueiredo, Marta Dias, Marta Martins, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Joana Antunes, Joana Antunes, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Joana Antunes, Marta Martins, Neusa Figueiredo, Marta Martins, Marta Martins, Arun S. Kumar, Arun S. Kumar, Vasco Branco, Vasco Branco, Vasco Branco, Vasco Branco, Marta Martins, Vasco Branco, Arun S. Kumar, Arun S. Kumar, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Neusa Figueiredo, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Vasco Branco, Vasco Branco, Marta Martins, Marta Martins, Marta Martins, Neusa Figueiredo, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Vasco Branco, Paula Sobral Vasco Branco, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Vasco Branco, Paula Sobral Vasco Branco, Paula Sobral Vasco Branco, Neusa Figueiredo, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Marta Martins, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Marta Martins, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Neusa Figueiredo, Neusa Figueiredo, Marta Martins, Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral Paula Sobral

Summary

Researchers evaluated microplastic abundance, characteristics, and microbial community interactions in sediments from the Tagus Estuary in Barreiro, Portugal, conducting sampling campaigns in spring and winter 2023 using FTIR for polymer identification and DNA extraction for taxonomic analysis of associated microorganisms. They found microplastic concentrations increased from spring to winter, with expanded polystyrene and polyester dominant, and discovered that microbial diversity on microplastic surfaces was substantially higher than in surrounding sediments, with a Shannon H index of 7.50 on plastics versus 4.23 in sediment.

Polymers

PP PS

Study Type Environmental

Microplastics (Ø ¡ 5 mm, MPs) are widespread pollutants in aquatic environments where they adsorb microorganisms and form surface biofilms. This study evaluates the abundance and characteristics of MPs and assess the interaction between MPs and microbial community. The urban area of Tagus estuary, Barreiro (38.7, -9.1), was selected as a case study with sampling campaigns conducted April and December of 2023 (spring and winter respectively). Sediment samples were collected from three locations. MPs was isolated and characterized physical and chemically with a stereomicroscope and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). DNA was extracted from the MPs and sediments for taxonomic analysis of microorganisms. Results showed a concentration of MPs from 109 ± 71.6 to 52 ± 8.7 particles.kg-1 of dry sediment, increasing in winter to 233 ± 51.2 to 57.0 ± 27.3 particles.kg-1 of dry sediment. Fibers and fragments were the most common. Color differences were noted: predominantly blue and black in spring and in winter a trend blue ¿ white ¿ green ¿ black. FTIR analysis showed expanded polystyrene (ρ = 1.05 g.cm-3) and polyester (ρ = 1.70 g.cm-3) as the most prevalent polymers in spring and in winter expanded polystyrene and polypropylene (ρ = 0.90 g.cm-3). Taxonomic analysis of the extracted DNA showed the presence of Bacteria and Archaea associated to MPs surface, exhibiting higher biodiversity when compared with the sediment (Shannon H index of 7.50 and 4.23, respectively). The microbial community associated to MPs included pathogenic bacteria. Overall, the results showed a seasonal variation in MPs composition and abundance in Tagus Estuary. Regardless the season, microorganisms are colonizing the surface of these MPs, reinforcing the threat of MPs as vector for pathogenic bacteria and introduction of non-native species. This study highlights the importance of further investigation to assess the impact of MPs in marine ecosystems. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559646/document

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