We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Low Temperature Polyethylene Biodeterioration by Freshwater Microplastics-Associated Bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
Fourteen bacterial strains isolated from a boreal lake and glacier-fed river were tested for their ability to biodegrade low-density polyethylene at cold temperatures, with several strains removing up to 25% of LDPE mass, suggesting cold-adapted freshwater bacteria have biodegradation potential.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that threaten ecosystems and human health. These particles host microbial biofilms that may include plastic-degrading bacteria, yet inland freshwater systems remain understudied, particularly under cold, environmentally relevant conditions. Here, 14 bacterial strains were isolated from MPs collected from a boreal lake and a glacier-fed river and evaluated for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at a low temperature. Several isolates removed up to 25% LDPE (w/w), formed biofilms, and caused surface deterioration. Chemical analyses detected alkanes, plastic additives, and oxidation products, indicating partial depolymerization of LDPE. Isolates’ genomes revealed few homologs of known plastic- or hydrocarbon-degradation genes, suggesting novel pathways. For the first time, Sanguibacter and Cryobacterium are identified as plastic-degrading bacteria. These findings show that freshwater MPs harbour cold-adapted bacteria capable of LDPE biodeterioration, advancing our understanding of the fate of microplastics and offering new biotechnological avenues for low-temperature plastic-waste mitigation.
More Papers Like This
Biodeterioration of Untreated Polypropylene Microplastic Particles by Antarctic Bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers isolated Antarctic bacteria and tested their ability to degrade untreated polypropylene microplastics over a 40-day incubation period. They found that several bacterial strains caused measurable physical and chemical changes to the microplastic surfaces, indicating early-stage biodegradation. The study suggests that cold-adapted microorganisms from extreme environments may hold potential for biological approaches to plastic pollution remediation.
Degradation of plastics and plastic-degrading bacteria in cold marine habitats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how bacteria in cold marine environments — including polar oceans — can break down synthetic plastics, highlighting the unique advantages of cold-adapted microbes for plastic remediation. While plastic degradation in cold habitats is still poorly understood, these microorganisms represent a promising avenue for cleaning up ocean plastic pollution.
Impact of microbial biofilm community shifts on the degradation of microplastics in cold habitats
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microbial biofilm communities in cold ocean environments affect the degradation of microplastics, finding that cold-adapted microbial communities can break down plastics but at slower rates. Cold habitats like the deep sea and polar regions are significant sinks for microplastic accumulation.
Highly efficient low-temperature biodegradation of polyethylene microplastics by using cold-active laccase cell-surface display system
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a cold-active laccase cell-surface display system in E. coli that achieved highly efficient low-temperature biodegradation of polyethylene microplastics, overcoming a key limitation of enzymatic plastic breakdown in cold environments.
Polymer Matters: Substrate-Specific Plastic Biofilms in Glacial Melt Host Bacteria Linked to Polymer Degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a 10-week in situ incubation experiment in a proglacial lake, finding that polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET substrates each develop distinct polymer-specific biofilm communities enriched with known plastic-degrading bacteria, with community structure shaped by dissolved carbon, phosphorus, time, and material type.
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.