We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microbial community and functions of marine plastisphere in Hong Kong
AI summary Read the abstract
The plastisphere — the community of microorganisms living on plastic surfaces — in Hong Kong's coastal waters was found to harbor distinct microbial communities that differ from those on natural surfaces. These communities include bacteria capable of degrading plastic polymers, potentially influencing how plastics break down in the ocean. The research contributes to understanding the ecological role of plastic as a novel habitat in marine environments.
Investigating the members of the plastisphere - the microbial community that forms specifically on plastic items - is key to understand how they contribute to the distribution and fragmentation of plastics in the ocean. My key objective is to identify the members of plastisphere in Hong Kong, and their potential functions. Plastic plates made of high-density polystyrene (HDPE), low-density polystyrene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) were deployed at two coastal location with different levels of anthropogenic impact, and water sample was collected in the location with higher anthropogenic impact for comparison. After 1 month, 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing were conducted on DNA extracted from plastic biofilm to identify plastisphere members and their potential metabolic functions. Phylum of Proteobacteria dominates both water and plastisphere, while class of Gammaproteobacteria dominates water samples, Alphaproteobacteria and other phyla were more abundant in plastisphere samples. Significant differences between plastisphere and community in water were observed, sampling location and plastic type also exhibits effect on the plastisphere. From the plastisphere of LDPE and its corresponding surrounding water, we discovered the family of Oleiphilaceae was highly enriched on plastic, accounting for 14.3% of the plastisphere members. Metagenomic sequencing reveal the presence of genes related to hydrocarbon degradation in Oleiphilaceae, such as alkB and AlmA, which indicates potential degradation activity enriched on plastic surfaces. These results on plastisphere metabolic function may provide insight in understanding the biological aspects of microplastic formation and developing potential solution in responds to microplastic pollution. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426735/document
More Papers Like This
Marine Microbial Assemblages on Microplastics: Diversity, Adaptation, and Role in Degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines microbial communities that colonize microplastics in the ocean, collectively known as the plastisphere. Researchers found that these biofilms differ significantly from those on natural surfaces and may include pathogenic bacteria and species capable of partially degrading plastics. The study highlights both the ecological risks of microplastics as vectors for harmful microbes and the potential for harnessing plastic-degrading organisms.
The ecology of the plastisphere: Microbial composition, function, assembly, and network in the freshwater and seawater ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the communities of bacteria and fungi that colonize microplastic surfaces in freshwater and seawater, forming what scientists call the plastisphere. These microplastic-associated communities were distinctly different from those in surrounding water, and included a higher proportion of disease-causing organisms and species involved in pollutant degradation. The findings suggest that microplastics create new habitats that can harbor pathogens and alter natural microbial ecosystems in ways that may affect water quality and human health.
Investigating the roles of microbes in biodegrading or colonizing microplastic surfaces
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Diversity and Activity of Communities Inhabiting Plastic Debris in the North Pacific Gyre
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected and characterized the microbial communities living on plastic debris from the North Pacific garbage patch in 2008, finding distinct communities of bacteria and metabolic functions on plastic compared to surrounding seawater. The study was among the first to comprehensively document the biological colonization of ocean plastic debris and the concept of a "plastisphere."
The structure and assembly mechanisms of plastisphere microbial community in natural marine environment
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
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.