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High-resolution screening for marine prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa with selective preference for PE and PET surfaces
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This study used high-resolution genomic screening to identify marine microorganisms that selectively colonize polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic surfaces in the ocean. The research identified specific prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa with potential roles in plastic colonization or metabolism, providing targets for future biodegradation research.
Abstract Marine plastic debris serve as substrates for the colonization of a variety of prokaryote and eukaryote organisms. Of particular interest are the microorganisms that have adapted to thrive on plastic as they may contain genes, enzymes or pathways involved in the colonization or metabolism of plastics. We implemented DNA metabarcoding with nanopore MinION sequencing to compare the one-month-old biomes of hydrolysable (polyethylene terephthalate) and non-hydrolysable (polyethylene) plastics surfaces vs. those of glass and the surrounding water in a Mediterranean Sea marina. We sequenced longer 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA and ITS barcode loci for a more comprehensive taxonomic profiling of the bacterial, protist and fungal communities respectively. Long read sequencing enabled high-resolution mapping to genera and species. Using differential abundance screening we identified 32 bacteria and five eukaryotic species, that were differentially abundant on plastic compared to glass. This approach may be used in the future to characterize the plastisphere communities and to screen for microorganisms with a plastic-metabolism potential.
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High-Resolution Screening for Marine Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes With Selective Preference for Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate Surfaces
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Researchers used nanopore sequencing to identify marine microorganisms selectively colonizing polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate plastic surfaces, finding distinct microbial communities on each polymer type that differed from glass controls and surrounding seawater.
A multi-OMIC characterisation of biodegradation and microbial community succession within the PET plastisphere
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Researchers performed a multi-omic analysis of bacterial communities colonizing PET plastic in marine environments, identifying microorganisms capable of degrading PET and characterizing the enzymatic pathways involved, advancing understanding of natural plastic biodegradation in ocean systems.
A marine bacterial community that degrades poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyethylene
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Researchers discovered a marine bacterial community capable of colonizing and degrading both PET and polyethylene plastics, identified through screening hundreds of plastic waste samples. This multi-polymer degrading microbial consortium offers a promising avenue for biological plastic waste remediation.
Environmental factors control microbial colonization of plastics in the North Sea
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This study examined microbial colonization of four plastic types (PE, PS, PET, nylon) in ex-situ North Sea incubation experiments over 45 days, finding that time, seawater origin, and plastic type significantly influenced community succession. Several genera with plastic degradation potential were identified, with Ketobacter and Microbacterium showing preference for specific plastic substrates, supporting the role of microbes in marine plastic biodegradation.
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Researchers used metagenomics to identify microbial communities forming biofilms on polyethylene plastic in the ocean. The study found taxonomically diverse consortia that may contain organisms with polyethylene biodegradation potential, advancing understanding of the ocean plastisphere.
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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.