Microbial Nanobioremediation of Micro-Nanoplastics: Current Strategies, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Summary

Researchers reviewed microbial nanobioremediation strategies — including bacterial biofilm formation, enzymatic degradation, and engineered microbial consortia — for breaking down micro- and nanoplastics in contaminated environments, while cataloging the significant challenges of slow degradation rates and toxicity to the remediating organisms. Developing effective biological cleanup methods is critical because micro- and nanoplastics are too small and widely distributed for mechanical collection, requiring in-situ solutions that work at the molecular level.