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Ventura E, Marín A, Gámez-Pérez J, Cabedo L. Recent advances in the relationships between biofilms and microplastics in natural environments. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:220. [PMID: 38809290 PMCID: PMC11136731 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04021-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the form of microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat to natural ecosystems, with detrimental ecological, social, and economic impacts. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the existing research on the interaction between microbial biofilms and MPs in natural environments. The review begins by outlining the sources and types of MPs, emphasizing their widespread presence in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. It then discusses the formation and characteristics of microbial biofilms on MPs surfaces, highlighting their role in altering the physicochemical properties of MPs and facilitating processes such as vertical transport, biodegradation, dispersion of microorganisms, and gene transfer. Different methods used to assess these interactions are discussed, including microbiological and physicochemical characterization. Current gaps and challenges in understanding the complex relationships between biofilms and MPs are identified, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these complex interactions and to develop effective mitigation strategies. Innovative solutions, including bioremediation techniques and their combination with other strategies, such as nanotechnology, advanced filtration technologies, and public awareness campaigns, are proposed as promising approaches to address the issue of MPs pollution. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to combating MPs pollution, combining scientific research, technological innovation, and public engagement to safeguard the health and integrity of natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ventura
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Castelló de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - Anna Marín
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Castelló de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - José Gámez-Pérez
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Castelló de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - Luis Cabedo
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Castelló de la Plana, Castellón, Spain.
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Ahmad MF, Fauzi MA, Ahmad MH, Wider W, Lee CK. Are we eating plastic? Science mapping of microplastic pollution in the aquatic food chain. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 38593234 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluates the knowledge structure of microplastic pollution and its effects on the aquatic food chain. The presence of microplastics has seriously harmed the ecosystem. Through bibliometric analysis, 216 journal publications were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) from 2008 to 2023 (April), with no restriction in the time frame. Applying bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis, the emerging, current, and future themes of microplastic pollution are presented. Three research streams are derived from bibliographic coupling, centralized on the source of microplastic pollution and its impact. At the same time, research streams from co-word analysis are associated with overcoming the issue of microplastics in the ecosystem. This study's implications suggest three main principles to mitigate microplastic issues: (1) educating the public on the impact of microplastic pollution, (2) implementing holistic regulations and policies, and (3) developing treatment strategies through conventional, innovative, and hybrid approaches. Microplastic pollution is a global concern, requiring a holistic and comprehensive approach to overcome it. This review is the first to present a scientific mapping of the microplastics literature, which is a fundamental basis for future research on microplastic pollution and its impact on the ecosystem. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Faizal Ahmad
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Walton Wider
- Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Chia Kuang Lee
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
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Nohara NML, Ariza-Tarazona MC, Triboni ER, Nohara EL, Villarreal-Chiu JF, Cedillo-González EI. Are you drowned in microplastic pollution? A brief insight on the current knowledge for early career researchers developing novel remediation strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170382. [PMID: 38307272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) composed of different polymers with various shapes, within a vast granulometric distribution (1 μm - 5 mm) and with a wide variety of physicochemical surface and bulk characteristics spiral around the globe, with different atmospheric, oceanic, cryospheric, and terrestrial residence times, while interacting with other pollutants and biota. The challenges of microplastic pollution are related to the complex relationships between the microplastic generation mechanisms (physical, chemical, and biological), their physicochemical properties, their interactions with other pollutants and microorganisms, the changes in their properties with aging, and their small sizes that facilitate their diffusion and transportation between the air, water, land, and biota, thereby promoting their ubiquity. Early career researchers (ERCs) constitute an essential part of the scientific community committed to overcoming the challenges of microplastic pollution with their new ideas and innovative scientific perspectives for the development of remediation technologies. However, because of the enormous amount of scientific information available, it may be difficult for ERCs to determine the complexity of this environmental issue. This mini-review aims to provide a quick and updated overview of the essential insights of microplastic pollution to ERCs to help them acquire the background needed to develop highly innovative physical, chemical, and biological remediation technologies, as well as valorization proposals and environmental education and awareness campaigns. Moreover, the recommendations for the development of holistic microplastic pollution remediation strategies presented here can help ERCs propose technologies considering the environmental, social, and practical dimensions of microplastic pollution while fulfilling the current government policies to manage this plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoly Milhardo Lourenço Nohara
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering of Lorena, University of São Paulo, Estrada Municipal do Campinho, no number, Lorena, Brazil
| | - Maria Camila Ariza-Tarazona
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Vivarelli 10/1, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Eduardo Rezende Triboni
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering of Lorena, University of São Paulo, Estrada Municipal do Campinho, no number, Lorena, Brazil
| | - Evandro Luís Nohara
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Taubaté, R. Daniel Daneli, no number, Taubaté, Brazil
| | - Juan Francisco Villarreal-Chiu
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Av. Universidad S/N Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Nuevo León, Mexico; Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología y Nanotecnología (CIByN), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Km. 10 autopista al Aeropuerto Internacional Mariano Escobedo, Apodaca 66628, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Erika Iveth Cedillo-González
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Vivarelli 10/1, Modena 41125, Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via Giusti, Florence 50121, Italy.
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