We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Preliminary observation of bacterial biofilm communities on plastic litters and their surface degradation in two coastal areas of Tuticorin, India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected biofilm-coated plastic litter (covers, films, and ropes) from two coastal sites in Tuticorin, India and used FTIR-ATR spectroscopy to identify polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide polymers, finding higher biofilm concentrations at the more polluted Inigonagar site alongside evidence of surface degradation.
The accumulation of plastic litter in the marine environment is a growing ecological concern. Microorganisms can create a biofilm on the surface of plastic litters making them more hazardous. Although plastics are difficult to biodegrade, they can act as substrate for microorganism attachment. To investigate this problem, biofilm coated plastic litters such as covers, films and ropes were collected randomly from Muthunagar and Inigonagar in Tuticorin coastal areas and analysed using FTIR-ATR. The spectra obtained demonstrate the presence of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS) and Polyamide (PA). The concentration of biofilm formed on the surface of plastics is higher in Inigonagar compared to Muthunagar coastal area. Investigations were also conducted into the bacterial development on the plastic surface and in the surrounding water and sediment. Several bacterial communities including human pathogens namely Faecal coliform, E. coli, Salmonella sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., and Vibrio sp. were found to be associated with the collected plastic litters. We confirmed the weathering of plastic litters by carbonyl and vinyl peaks formation. According to the Carbonyl Index values plastic litters collected from Inigonagar exhibit higher degree of degradation compared to Muthunagar coastal areas. The present study could provide significant baseline information for both plastic pollution and biofilm composition in Muthunagar and Inigonagar coastal areas.
More Papers Like This
Floating microplastics in northern coastal waters of sri lanka: Quantification and characterization by FTIR
AI summary Read the abstract
Floating microplastics were detected in northern Sri Lanka's coastal waters for the first time, with FTIR spectroscopy identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The study fills an important data gap for South Asian coastal waters and highlights inputs from local fishing, tourism, and domestic waste. Establishing baseline contamination data is a critical first step toward effective plastic pollution management in the region.
Marine Bacteria Associated with Colonization and Alteration of Plastic Polymers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers identified bacteria from marine beach environments that colonize plastic polymer surfaces and cause measurable surface alterations detectable by infrared spectroscopy. The findings contribute to understanding how microbial colonization (the 'plastisphere') modifies plastic surfaces in marine environments.
Insights into the degradation mechanism of PET and PP under marine conditions using FTIR
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the natural degradation of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate plastics under real marine conditions using FTIR spectroscopy, providing insights into how these common plastics break down in ocean environments.
Insights into co-occurrence characteristics and interplay of microbial communities and environmental pollutants on biofilm-colonized microplastics in mangrove ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted an in situ study in mangrove ecosystems examining how microplastics accumulate biofilms over time, finding progressive development of microbial communities across seasons, polymer types, and exposure durations, with heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants co-occurring on microplastic surfaces.
Influence of natural biofouling in the degradation and identification of polypropylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed polypropylene samples to marine conditions over 90 days as part of the MicroplastiX project, sampling at six time points and using ATR-FTIR and SEM to characterize how natural biofouling growth alters the spectral signature and weathering of the polymer. Biofouling-derived spectral changes became apparent within weeks, and appeared to interfere with FTIR-based polymer identification in environmental monitoring studies, suggesting that biofouled plastics may be misidentified or underdetected.
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.