We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Biofilm formation on microplastics in wastewater: insights into factors, diversity and inactivation strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how bacteria form biofilms on different types of microplastics in wastewater, finding that polyethylene supported the most biofilm growth, especially in dark, warm, oxygen-rich conditions. The biofilms contained bacteria from groups that include potential human pathogens, and different plastic types supported different microbial communities. This matters because microplastics coated in bacterial biofilms could transport harmful microorganisms through water systems and into the environment.
Abstract Microplastic (MP) occurrence in wastewater poses serious threats to aquatic organisms due to their ecological impact. Additionally, these microplastics may provide a unique habitat for microbial biofilms. This study explored the possible factors that facilitate biofilm formation on different MPs in a wastewater environment. Biofilm formation was determined via measurement of optical density (OD) and confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, microbial community profiling was performed via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The highest biofilm formation occurred after 3 weeks of exposure, followed by a decline to its lowest after 5 weeks. Biofilms were predominant on MPs that were exposed to dark conditions, mesophilic temperature (25 °C) and aerobic conditions. Under these conditions, a positive correlation was observed between the OD value and ammonia (NH 3 ) ( r = 0.824) and nitrite (NO 2 ) concentrations ( r = 0.1). However, a negative correlation ( r = −0.673) was found between the OD value and nitrate (NO 3 ) levels in the medium. Furthermore, the highest biofilm formation was observed on polyethylene particles. The most dominant phyla in both the biofilms and wastewater medium were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes, with Methylotenera being the most abundant genera in the biofilms. In general, the polypropylene particles supported the most diverse bacterial community (H' = 2.51138 and Simpson index = 11.096), while high-density polyethylene supported the least diverse bacterial community (H' = 0.88779 and Simpson index = 1.5324). The study also demonstrated that both UV and chlorine treatments were effective in inactivating these biofilms, within 30 and 10 min, respectively.
More Papers Like This
[Enrichment Characteristics and Ecological Risk Prediction of Pathogens on Typical Microplastic Biofilms].
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated which pathogens preferentially colonize biofilms on different types of microplastic surfaces in aquatic environments and assessed the associated ecological and public health risks. Microplastic biofilms showed selective enrichment of specific pathogen groups compared to surrounding water, with biofilm-forming potential varying by polymer type.
Biofilm formation on polyethylene microplastics and their role as transfer vector of emerging organic pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how bacteria form biofilms on polyethylene microplastics and whether those biofilms help transport organic pollutants like common pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Researchers found that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa readily colonized microplastics, and the presence of contaminants in the water altered biofilm characteristics. The findings suggest that microplastics in waterways may act as carriers that help spread pharmaceutical and chemical pollutants through aquatic environments.
Structural Diversity in Early-Stage Biofilm Formation on Microplastics Depends on Environmental Medium and Polymer Properties
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined the early stages of bacterial biofilm formation on different types of plastic surfaces in different environmental media, finding that both the growth medium and the polymer type influenced which microbial communities colonized the plastic. These plastic-associated biofilms (the plastisphere) can make microplastics more appealing to filter-feeding organisms that mistake them for food.
The factors affecting bacterial colonisation on microplastics and the impact of tertiary treatment of wastewater on the attached bacteria and microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined the factors that influence bacterial colonization on microplastics and tested how tertiary wastewater treatment affects the bacteria and microplastics discharged from a treatment plant. Microplastic-associated biofilms in wastewater can carry harmful and antibiotic-resistant bacteria into receiving water bodies.
Biofilm-Mediated Bacterial Sorption onto Microplastics in Water: Mechanistic Pathways, Plastisphere Formation, and Implications for Disinfection Performance
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied microplastics collected from raw surface water and found bacteria formed biofilm layers on their surfaces, creating distinct microbial communities. Bacteria could attach to and detach from the microplastics, and chlorine disinfection was less effective at killing bacteria when microplastics were present.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.