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Psychrobacter species enrichment as potential microplastic degrader and the putative biodegradation mechanism in Shenzhen Bay sediment, China
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This metagenomic study of sediments near a Shenzhen Bay sewage outlet identified Psychrobacter bacteria as the dominant microplastic-associated microorganisms in heavily contaminated sediments, where they made up over 16% of the bacterial community. The researchers identified 28 enzymes in these bacteria that are potentially involved in degrading plastic polymers, and proposed a degradation pathway involving initial breakdown of long polymer chains followed by oxidation of shorter fragments. This adds to understanding of how marine sediment microbiomes respond to plastic pollution and which bacteria might be harnessed for bioremediation.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental concern due to its ubiquity and longevity. Biodegradation of MPs has garnered significant attention in combatting global MP contamination. This study focused on MPs within sediments near the sewage outlet of Shenzhen Bay. The objective was to elucidate the microbial communities in sediments with varying MPs, particularly those with high MP loads, and to identify microorganisms associated with MP degradation. The results revealed varying MP abundance, ranging from 211 to 4140 items kg dry weight (d. w.), with the highest concentration observed near the outfall. Metagenomic analysis confirmed the enrichment of Psychrobacter species in sediments with high MP content. Psychrobacter accounted for ∼16.71% of the total bacterial community and 41.71% of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria at the S3 site, exhibiting a higher abundance than at other sampling sites. Psychrobacter contributed significantly to bacterial function at S3, as evidenced by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and enzyme analysis. Notably, 28 enzymes involved in MP biodegradation were identified, predominantly comprising oxidoreductases, hydrolases, transferases, ligases, lyases, and isomerases. We propose a putative mechanism for MP biodegradation, involving the breakdown of long-chain plastic polymers and subsequent oxidation of short-chain oligomers, ultimately leading to thorough mineralization.
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Seasonal dynamics of plastic-degradation-associated microbiomes in an anthropogenically impacted Pearl River Estuary: A genome-resolved metagenomic study
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Researchers studied sediment from the Pearl River Estuary in China to find microbes with genes that might help break down plastic. Different bacteria were more common in wet versus dry seasons, and 42 genomes contained genes potentially linked to plastic degradation, mostly from one bacterial group.
New insights into microbial degradation of polyethylene microplastic and potential polyethylene-degrading bacteria in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, South China
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Researchers investigated the biodegradation potential of polyethylene microplastics by microbial communities in sediments from the Pearl River Estuary in southern China. They found that specific bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas and Bacillus species, were selectively enriched on microplastic surfaces and actively degraded the plastic, with Bacillus achieving 6.5% weight loss in 40 days. The study provides new insights into the natural capacity of estuarine sediment microbes to break down polyethylene microplastics.
Multi-omics-based approach reveals the effects of microplastics on microbial abundance and function of sediments in Shenzhen coastal waters
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Researchers used a multi-omics approach combining metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to investigate how microplastic contamination affects microbial community abundance and functional gene expression in coastal sediments from eastern and western Shenzhen, China. They found microplastic concentrations of 119 items per kilogram in eastern sediments and 664 items per kilogram in western sediments, with higher contamination sites showing significant shifts in microbial community composition and altered expression of genes involved in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling.
Characterization of plastic degrading bacteria isolated from sewage wastewater
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Researchers isolated bacteria from sewage wastewater that can degrade plastic, with two Pseudomonas strains achieving 25% weight loss of plastic pieces over 120 days. Chemical analysis confirmed the bacteria were breaking down and transforming the plastic polymer bonds. These plastic-eating bacteria could offer a green biotechnology approach to reducing microplastic pollution in wastewater systems.
Diversity and functional genes of bacterial communities enriched from an estuarine sediment for degradation of polylactic acid microplastics
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Researchers enriched bacterial communities from estuarine sediment to study their ability to break down polylactic acid microplastics, a common biodegradable plastic. After 60 days, the enriched cultures reduced the weight of the microplastics by 40 percent, with specific bacterial groups and degradation-related genes becoming more abundant. The study suggests that naturally occurring microbes in coastal sediments have meaningful potential to biodegrade certain types of plastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.