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Engineering a microbiosphere to clean up the ocean – inspiration from the plastisphere
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This perspective paper proposes engineering a microbiosphere on plastic surfaces in the ocean by recruiting and cultivating plastic-degrading microorganisms to degrade floating plastic waste in situ, drawing inspiration from the natural microbial communities found in the plastisphere.
Plastic is a ubiquitous material that has become an essential part of our lives. More than one hundred million tons of plastic has accumulated in the world’s oceans as a result of poor waste management. This plastic waste gradually fragments into smaller pieces known as microplastics and nanoplastics. These small plastic particles can cause significant damage to marine ecosystems, and negatively impact human health. According to a recent review of international patents, the majority of ocean-cleaning inventions are limited to microplastics larger than 20 μm. Furthermore, such technologies are ineffective for nanoplastics, which measure less than 1000 nm, or even fibrous plastics. Alternative solutions need to be considered for the large-scale in situ removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from the ocean. In this perspective, we present the concept of engineering a microbial ecosystem, which we term the microbiosphere. The concept is based on key observations that have been made for natural plastic-based ecosystems known as plastispheres. These observations relate to the solid support material, self-sustainability, attachment to plastic, degradation of plastic, and risk of pathogenicity. Inspiration can be taken from the plastisphere whereby a novel microbial ecosystem could be designed and engineered as a bioremediation tool to rid the ocean of micro- and nanoplastics. Such an engineered system could outcompete pathogens for marine plastic waste and potentially reduce the risk of infectious diseases.
More Papers Like This
Knowledge and Opportunities from the Plastisphere: A Prelude for the Search of Plastic Degrading Bacteria on Coastal Environments
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This mini-review surveys the scientific literature on plastic-degrading bacteria found in coastal environments, examining which microbial strains have shown biodegradation activity and what conditions favor this. The 'plastisphere' — the microbial community that colonizes plastic surfaces in the ocean — includes some bacteria capable of breaking down plastic polymers. The review identifies priority areas for developing microbial solutions to coastal plastic pollution.
Investigating the roles of microbes in biodegrading or colonizing microplastic surfaces
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Researchers investigated the roles of microbes in biodegrading or colonizing microplastic surfaces, examining how microbial communities interact with plastic polymers in environmental settings. The study characterized the 'plastisphere' — the community of microorganisms that colonize microplastic surfaces — and assessed the extent to which microbial activity contributes to plastic degradation in natural environments.
The structure and assembly mechanisms of plastisphere microbial community in natural marine environment
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Researchers investigated how microbial communities colonize different types of microplastic surfaces in natural marine environments over an eight-week period. They found that the composition of these plastic-associated microbial communities, known as the plastisphere, was shaped more by environmental conditions and time than by the specific type of plastic. The study provides new understanding of the ecological processes governing how microorganisms assemble on ocean plastic debris.
Biofilms on Plastic Debris and the Microbiome
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This review synthesizes knowledge on biofilms that colonize plastic debris in the ocean, known as the plastisphere, covering how microbial communities are structured and how they interact with the surrounding environment. The authors discuss implications for nutrient cycling, pathogen transport, and polymer degradation.
It s all about the base : Marine biofilms in the plastic age
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This paper reviews the "Plastisphere" — the dense community of microorganisms that colonize plastic debris in the ocean — explaining how these biofilms on floating plastic surfaces can transport potentially harmful microbes and alter how plastic interacts with marine ecosystems.
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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.