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Biofilm Formation Influences the Wettability and Settling of Microplastics
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This study found that biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces does not necessarily increase particle mass density enough to cause sinking, contradicting a common assumption. Instead, changes in particle wettability caused by biofilm were identified as a critical mechanism controlling microplastic vertical transport in the ocean.
The fate of 99% of the plastics present in oceans is unknown. It is presumed that biofilm formation on plastics leads to their sinking to the ocean floor, thus making them undetectable at the surface. While it is established that biofilms lead to sinking of plastics, it is the mechanism by which biofilms enhance the vertical transport of plastics that remains unknown. It is commonly assumed that biofilms increase the effective mass density of the plastics, which drives their sinking. Here, we show that such an assumption is not always true, and formation of biofilms alone is an insufficient criterion to predict the sinking or floating of plastics. We study the biofilm formation and vertical transport of polyethylene microplastics in the presence of Alcanivorax borkumensis, Anabaena sp., and Synechococcus elongatus. We find that while all three microorganisms formed biofilms on microplastics, only Alcanivorax led to their sinking. The sinking of microplastics is attributed to the production of highly active biosurfactants by Alcanivorax and its adsorption onto microplastics, which is not the case for Anabaena and Synechococcus. Our study highlights that it is not only the formation but the properties of the formed biofilms that govern the sinking or floating of plastics.
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Researchers reviewed how biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces affects the fate and potential ecological effects of microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that biofilms alter particle buoyancy, surface chemistry, and interactions with organisms.
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Researchers found that biofilm growth on low-density polyethylene microplastics significantly increases their settling propensity in open-channel flow, with biofilm-colonized 100 µm PE particles showing greater vertical movement than uncoated polyester particles despite PE's lower inherent density.
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Researchers studied how biofouling — the accumulation of microorganisms and organic matter on particle surfaces — alters the sinking behavior of microplastics, finding that biofouled particles sink faster and are more likely to reach seafloor sediments.
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Researchers investigated how microbial biofilm colonization of microplastics affects their buoyancy and sinking behavior in natural waters, finding that biological ballasting from attached microorganisms can significantly increase particle density and promote vertical transport toward sediments. The results suggest that biofouling is a key mechanism driving the removal of microplastics from surface waters.
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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.