We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Co-metabolic breakdown of LDPE microplastics in PGPR-Assisted phytoremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil
Summary
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics were degraded through a co-metabolic process by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), suggesting that beneficial soil bacteria can be harnessed to break down plastic in the root zone. The approach offers a bioremediation strategy that simultaneously improves soil microbiome function.
A 90-day pot study investigated the effect of low-density polyethylene microplastics (LDPE MPs) on bioaugmented phytoremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil using lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Micrococcus luteus WN01 (PGPR). Plant growth, root morphology, root exudates, microbial population, dehydrogenase activity, residual TPH concentration, and LDPE MP degradation were evaluated. M. luteus significantly increased plant biomass and improved TPH degradation by 79.16% and 64.43%, which were 25.04% and 15.85% higher than uninoculated treatments. M. luteus inoculation still led to higher TPH removal compared to uninoculated treatments despite MP-induced alterations in plant biochemical and morphological traits. GC/MS analysis of lemongrass root exudates showed that M. luteus enriched plants with GABA-associated allelochemicals. FTIR analysis indicated accelerated oxidation of LDPE MPs in planted treatments compared to unplanted ones, evidenced by increased absorbance at characteristic peaks (3620.71 cm-1 O-H stretching, 1651 cm-1 C=O stretching, and 1031.10 cm-1 C-O stretching). This strongly suggests a co-metabolic breakdown of LDPE MPs within the plant rhizosphere (a degradation hotspot). Lemongrass essential oil was not significantly affected by the contaminant or M. luteus. This study highlights the lemongrass-M. luteus association as a promising candidate for the remediation of both petroleum- and MP-contaminated soil, with the added benefit of essential oil production.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Soil Microplastic Remediation: Exploring the Role of Microorganism/PGPR in Sustainable Cleanup
This review explored the role of microorganisms and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in bioremediation of microplastic-contaminated soils, summarizing evidence that microbial communities can degrade or immobilize plastic particles and discussing practical strategies for field application.
Biological Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate by Rhizobacteria
Researchers isolated rhizobacteria — bacteria associated with plant roots — that can biodegrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. This finding suggests that soil bacteria near plants may contribute to plastic breakdown in contaminated soils, though degradation rates remain slow.
Microorganism-Based Bioremediation Approach for Plastics and Microplastics Wastes
Soil bacteria were isolated and screened for plastic-degrading capacity, with one of five isolates showing the highest low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation, demonstrating that soil-derived actinobacteria and other bacteria can contribute to bioremediation of plastic waste.
Effects of micro and nanoplastics on plant-assisted bioremediation for contaminated soil recovery: A review
This review examines how the growing presence of micro- and nanoplastics in contaminated soils affects plant-assisted bioremediation, finding that microplastics disrupt the plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions that make phytoremediation effective for removing heavy metals and degrading organic pollutants.
Rhizosphere microbiome metagenomics in PGPR-mediated alleviation of combined stress from polypropylene microplastics and Cd in hybrid Pennisetum
Researchers found that beneficial soil bacteria (PGPR) can help plants cope with the combined stress of polypropylene microplastics and the toxic heavy metal cadmium. The bacteria improved plant growth by 8-42% under contaminated conditions by reshaping the microbial community around plant roots. This study offers a potential strategy for maintaining crop productivity in farmland contaminated with both microplastics and heavy metals.