We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Influence of microplastics on microbial anaerobic detoxification of chlorophenols
Summary
Microplastics were found to significantly inhibit microbial reductive dehalogenation of chlorophenols in anaerobic marine sediments, disrupting a natural detoxification process and potentially causing toxic compounds to persist longer in marine environments.
Microplastics (MPs) can absorb halogenated organic compounds and transport them into marine anaerobic zones. Microbial reductive dehalogenation is a major process that naturally attenuates organohalide pollutants in anaerobic environments. Here, we aimed to determine the mechanisms through which MPs affect the microbe-mediated marine halogen cycle by incubating 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) dechlorinating cultures with various types of MPs. We found that TCP was dechlorinated to 4-chlorophenol in biotic control and polypropylene (PP) cultures, but essentially terminated at 2,4-dichlorophenol in polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cultures after incubation for 20 days. Oxygen-containing functional groups such as peroxide and aldehyde were enriched on PE and PET after incubation and corresponded to elevated levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the microorganisms. Adding PE or PET to the cultures exerted limited effects on hydrogenase and ATPase activities, but delayed the expression of the gene encoding reductive dehalogenase (RDase). Considering the limited changes in the microbial composition of the enriched cultures, these findings suggested that microbial dechlorination is probably affected by MPs through the ROS-induced inhibition of RDase synthesis and/or activity. Overall, our findings showed that extensive MP pollution is unfavorable to environmental xenobiotic detoxification.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Mechanistic and microbial ecological insights into the impacts of micro- and nano- plastics on microbial reductive dehalogenation of organohalide pollutants
Researchers found that microplastics generally enhanced microbial reductive dehalogenation of organohalide pollutants by 10-217%, while nanoplastics consistently inhibited it by increasing reactive oxygen species, revealing size-dependent effects on pollutant biotransformation in contaminated environments.
Effect of microplastics on microbial dechlorination of a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture (Aroclor 1260)
Researchers found that microplastics inhibited microbial anaerobic dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1260), with polyethylene causing the greatest inhibition at nearly 40%, suggesting microplastics may impede natural bioremediation of PCB-contaminated environments.
Microbial colonization of different microplastic types and biotransformation of sorbed PCBs by a marine anaerobic bacterial community
Different types of microplastic pellets (PE, PET, PS, PP, PVC) were introduced into anaerobic marine sediment microcosms and all were rapidly colonized by organohalide-respiring bacteria within 2 weeks, with PVC attracting the greatest biofilm growth. Importantly, the bacterial community biotransformed PCBs sorbed on the microplastics, suggesting a potential biodegradation route for plastic-associated pollutants.
Effects of microplastic sorption on microbial degradation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water
Researchers investigated how microplastics act as carriers for halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAHs) in water and whether this sorption affects microbial degradation of these dioxin-like compounds. They found that microplastic-sorbed HPAHs had reduced bioavailability to degrading bacteria, potentially slowing natural breakdown of these toxic pollutants.
Impact of microplastics on 4-chlorophenol degradation via MnOOH-catalyzed periodate activation
Researchers found that microplastics interfere with the MnOOH-catalyzed periodate oxidation process used to degrade the toxic phenolic compound 4-chlorophenol in water, with MP surfaces adsorbing both the catalyst and contaminant in ways that reduce treatment efficiency.