We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microbial Biofilm of Plastic in Tropical Marine Environment and their Potential for Bioremediation of Plastic Waste
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined microbial biofilm communities on plastic debris in tropical marine environments, finding that warm, humid conditions accelerate plastisphere biofilm development, and that several identified bacterial taxa show potential for biodegradation of plastic polymers.
Plastic debris has become a global problem due to its widespread distribution and accumulation in the marine environment. Indigenous bacteria in the marine environment are able to quickly contaminate plastic surface and assemble to form successional plastisphere-specific bacterial. The formation of microbial biofilms on the plastic surface can indirectly initiate the degradation of plastic polymers. The environmental conditions of the tropical region make the growth of microbial biofilms become faster. However, the study on the biodiversity of microorganisms in marine plastic debris is limited to the northern hemisphere, which includes subtropical and temperate regions. This review provides current studies of biodiversity and community structure of plastisphere in tropical environments, including bacteria and microalgae, and their potential to degrade the plastic polymer. A systematic literature search has been conducted using Scopus with different combinations of keywords. In addition, Google Scholar databases were also used to find more studies on some specific topics, including plastic degrading organisms. The climate-associated areas have been grouped according to the latitude of the study site into tropical, subtropical, and temperate latitudes. The microorganisms analyzed in this review are only bacteria, actinobacteria, and microalgae.
More Papers Like This
Marine Plastic Debris: A New Surface for Microbial Colonization
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the "Plastisphere" -- the community of microbes that rapidly colonizes plastic debris in the ocean -- covering biofilm development, potential biodegradation, and the hitchhiking of harmful bacteria. Researchers found that microbial communities on plastics do not dramatically differ from those on other inert surfaces, especially in mature biofilms. The study identifies key knowledge gaps and calls for more environmentally realistic research into how these plastic-associated microbes interact with marine ecosystems.
Profiles of bacterial assemblages from microplastics of tropical coastal environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic pieces collected from tropical coastal environments in Malaysia were found to host distinct bacterial communities that differed from surrounding seawater, including potential pathogens and plastic-degrading bacteria. The study contributes to understanding the plastisphere in tropical regions, where warm temperatures may accelerate both microbial colonization and plastic degradation.
Plastic-microbe interaction in the marine environment: Research methods and opportunities
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in streams draining watersheds with different proportions of urban, agricultural, and forested land cover, finding that urbanization was the dominant predictor of in-stream microplastic concentrations. The relationship was strongest for fiber-type particles, consistent with wastewater effluent and stormwater runoff as the primary land-use-linked sources.
Bacterial Abundance, Diversity and Activity During Long-Term Colonization of Non-biodegradable and Biodegradable Plastics in Seawater
AI summary Read the abstract
Biofilm communities on conventional (polyethylene and polystyrene) and biodegradable plastics were tracked over 7 months of seawater immersion, finding highly abundant and diverse plastisphere communities on all polymer types but limited evidence of active plastic biodegradation under natural marine conditions.
A review on microbial-biofilm mediated mechanisms in marine microplastics degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microbial biofilms form on microplastics in marine environments and their potential role in degrading these persistent pollutants. Researchers found that plastic-associated biofilm communities are diverse and influenced by factors such as polymer type, particle size, and seasonal conditions. The study identifies knowledge gaps in understanding how bacterial and fungal communities on microplastics may contribute to their breakdown in ocean environments.
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.