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Microbial degradation of microplastics in the korle lagoon (accra, ghana)
Summary
Researchers investigated the potential for native microbial degradation of microplastics in the heavily polluted Korle Lagoon in Accra, Ghana, by setting up oxic and anoxic microcosm incubations amended with 13C-labelled polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polystyrene, and nylon. The study aimed to characterise the degradation capacity of indigenous microbial communities as a first step toward improving water quality in this hypoxic urban lagoon.
The 'Global North' exports extensive amounts of waste, including secondhand clothing and electronic scrap, to countries considered the 'Global South', such as Ghana. While some of this waste is (partially) recycled and repurposed, it also poses problems, including environmental pollution with plastic debris. The Korle Lagoon in Accra, Ghana, is highly polluted with plastics in such abundance that the water flow is reduced. Together with organic waste influx related to the lack of sanitation for the local population, this has led to a (partially) hypoxic/anoxic water column. As a first step to improve the lagoon's water quality, we aim to better understand the potential for native microbial plastic degradation in this system. For this, we set up oxic and anoxic microcosm incubations with waters from the lagoon amended with 13C-labelled polymers (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polyamide (nylon 6,6)). One set of the microcosms was incubated with experimentally UV-weathered plastics, while a second set was incubated with untreated plastics. Microbially mediated plastic mineralisation was then determined by tracing the 13C-label from the plastic into the terminal oxidation products CO2 and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Degradation kinetics varied for the tested plastics and whether they were UV-treated prior to incubation. PET and PS generally showed the highest degradation potential, and some polymers were also degraded under anoxic conditions. We also measured assimilation of plastic-derived 13C into microbial biomass by conducting stable carbon isotope analysis of fatty acids from microbial cell membranes. These measurements showed results matching our kinetic measurements. While our data reveal the potential for natural bioremediation activity of plastic waste, they are overshadowed by the saturating abundance of floating plastic litter and suspended microfibres in the lagoon. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558935/document