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Microplastic Microbiome Interactions: Emerging Threats and Bioremediation Potentials
Summary
This review examines the plastisphere — microbial communities that colonize plastic surfaces — covering how these biofilms influence the fate and toxicity of microplastics while acting as vectors for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, and discussing their potential for bioremediation.
Abstract: Microplastics plastic particles smaller than 5 mm have become ubiquitous pollutants in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Their durability, persistence, and ability to adsorb hazardous chemicals make them a growing ecological and health concern. A new dimension of this issue has emerged with the discovery of the plastisphere, a term used to describe microbial communities colonizing plastic surfaces. These communities influence the fate, degradation, and toxicity of microplastics while also acting as vectors for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. This chapter explores the interdisciplinary field of microplastic microbiome interactions, detailing their ecological implications and biotechnological potential for bioremediation. It further discusses microbial succession on plastics, enzymatic degradation mechanisms, and the possibility of harnessing microbial consortia for sustainable management of microplastic pollution. Case insights from Indian freshwater systems, particularly the Godavari Basin, are presented to contextualize this emerging field within the framework of environmental sustainability.