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Chemotaxis-selective colonization of mangrove rhizosphere microbes on nine different microplastics
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Researchers conducted a semi-controlled experiment to study how mangrove rhizosphere microbes colonize nine different types of microplastic surfaces through chemotaxis. They found that microbial colonization patterns varied by plastic polymer type, with certain plastics attracting distinct bacterial communities. The study reveals that chemical signals from different plastic materials influence which microorganisms form biofilms on their surfaces in mangrove ecosystems.
Microplastics pollution poses a new threat to the environment of intertidal zone. The sea forest, mangrove, has been polluted by a large number of plastic debris worldwide. To fill the gaps in knowledge of mangrove rhizosphere microbes connected with the 'plasticsphere', a semi-controlled in situ exposure experiment for nine different types of microplastics were conducted in mangrove ecosystem. A sign of biodegrading was observed on polyethylene, polyamide 6 and polyvinyl chloride microplastics surface after 3 months exposure. We discovered that the metabolic activities of the dominant bacteria on certain microplastics were related to the specific groups on polymers molecule. The selective colonization may be driven by the chemotaxis of bacteria. Specially, microplastics biofilms of polyethylene, polyamide 6, polyvinyl chloride and expanded polystyrene possess distinctive dominant bacteria assemblages which have great significance in ecosystem processes involving carbon cycle or sulfur cycle. Community of mangrove soil microorganism and microplastic biofilm varies as the seasons changes. As a new niche, microplastics has higher inclusivity to bacteria than surrounding soil. Additionally, pathogens for human beings (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Escherichia-Shigella) were detected both in microplastics and soil. We stress that the interaction between microplastics and rhizosphere microorganisms may affect the growth and health of mangrove plants. Besides, we point out that mangrove rhizosphere microorganism can be an ideal candidate for plastics-degradation.
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Researchers incubated two types of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics in mangrove ecosystems across four environmental settings for 90 days to study microbial colonization patterns. They found that microbial colonization progressed more rapidly in sediment than in water, and the type of plastic influenced which microbial communities developed. The study suggests that environmental conditions and plastic properties together shape how microorganisms interact with biodegradable plastics in natural settings.
Insights into co-occurrence characteristics and interplay of microbial communities and environmental pollutants on biofilm-colonized microplastics in mangrove ecosystems
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Researchers conducted an in situ study in mangrove ecosystems examining how microplastics accumulate biofilms over time, finding progressive development of microbial communities across seasons, polymer types, and exposure durations, with heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants co-occurring on microplastic surfaces.
The composition of bacterial communities associated with plastic biofilms differs between different polymers and stages of biofilm succession
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Researchers tracked bacterial community development on five different plastic types submerged in coastal waters over two months. They found that bacterial community composition varied by both plastic type and stage of colonization, with distinct early and late succession patterns. The study provides evidence that different plastics may host different microbial communities, which has implications for understanding how plastic pollution influences marine microbial ecology.
Differential microbial colonization on microplastic in the Mediterranean Sea coastal zone
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Researchers examined how microbial communities colonize different types of plastic debris in the Mediterranean Sea, comparing biofilm composition across polymer types. They found that certain bacterial taxa preferentially colonize specific polymer surfaces, suggesting that plastic type influences the ecology of the plastisphere. The study contributes to understanding how ocean plastic shapes microbial community structure.
Microbial colonization of microplastics in the Caribbean Sea
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Researchers incubated six common plastic polymers in Caribbean waters for six weeks and found that bacterial biofilm communities were not significantly shaped by plastic type or exposure time, but eukaryotic communities (including distinctive diatom assemblages) were influenced by both factors. This suggests that microplastics act as selective habitats for some microbial groups but not others, with implications for understanding how plastics alter ocean microbial ecology.
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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.