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Nava V, Leoni B, Arienzo MM, Hogan ZS, Gandolfi I, Tatangelo V, Carlson E, Chea S, Soum S, Kozloski R, Chandra S. Plastic pollution affects ecosystem processes including community structure and functional traits in large rivers. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121849. [PMID: 38851112 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121849] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Plastics in aquatic ecosystems rapidly undergo biofouling, giving rise to a new ecosystem on their surface, the 'plastisphere.' Few studies quantify the impact of plastics and their associated community on ecosystem traits from biodiversity and functional traits to metabolic function. It has been suspected that impacts on ecosystems may depend on its state but comparative studies of ecosystem responses are rare in the published literature. We quantified algal biomass, bacterial and algal biodiversity (16S and 18S rRNA), and metabolic traits of the community growing on the surface of different plastic polymers incubated within rivers of the Lower Mekong Basin. The rivers selected have different ecological characteristics but are similar regarding their high degree of plastic pollution. We examined the effects of plastics colonized with biofilms on ecosystem production, community dark respiration, and the epiplastic community's capability to influence nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and oxygen in water. Finally, we present conceptual models to guide our understanding of plastic pollution within freshwaters. Our findings showed limited microalgal biomass and bacterial dominance, with potential pathogens present. The location significantly influenced community composition, highlighting the role of environmental conditions in shaping community development. When assessing the effects on ecosystem productivity, our experiments showed that biofouled plastics led to a significant drop in oxygen concentration within river water, leading to hypoxic/anoxic conditions with subsequent profound impacts on system metabolism and the capability of influencing biogeochemical cycles. Scaling our findings revealed that plastic pollution may exert a more substantial and ecosystem-altering impact than initially assumed, particularly in areas with poorly managed plastic waste. These results highlighted that the plastisphere functions as a habitat for biologically active organisms which play a pivotal role in essential ecosystem processes. This warrants dedicated attention and investigation, particularly in sensitive ecosystems like the Mekong River, which supports a rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of 65 million people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Nava
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano MI, Italy
| | - Barbara Leoni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano MI, Italy.
| | - Monica M Arienzo
- Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Pkwy, Reno, NV 89512, United States
| | - Zeb S Hogan
- Global Water Center and Biology Department, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia, Reno, NV 89557-0314, United States
| | - Isabella Gandolfi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano MI, Italy
| | - Valeria Tatangelo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano MI, Italy
| | - Emily Carlson
- Global Water Center and Biology Department, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia, Reno, NV 89557-0314, United States
| | - Seila Chea
- Institute of Technology of Cambodia, PO Box 86, Russian Conf. Blvd. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Savoeurn Soum
- Royal University of Phnom Penh, Russian Federation Blvd (110), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Rachel Kozloski
- Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Pkwy, Reno, NV 89512, United States
| | - Sudeep Chandra
- Global Water Center and Biology Department, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia, Reno, NV 89557-0314, United States.
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Li H, Lian Y, Li S, Yang M, Xie Q, Qiu L, Liu H, Long Y, Hu L, Fang C. The stress response of tetracycline resistance genes and bacterial communities under the existence of microplastics in typical leachate biological treatment system. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 366:121865. [PMID: 39018858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121865] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Landfill leachate is an important source of microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs). Here, in the presence of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) and polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs), the nitrogen and phosphorus removal effect and sludge structure performance were affected in an anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic system, a typical biological leachate treatment process. The abundance of tetracycline-resistance genes (tet genes) in biofilms on the two types of MP was significantly higher than that in the leachate and sludge, and the load on PE-MPs was higher than that on PS-MPs because of the porous structure of PE-MPs. Aging of the MPs increased their surface roughness and abundance of oxygen-containing functional groups and shaped the profile of ARGs in the MP biofilms. The biofilm biomass and growth rate on the two types of MP increased with the incubation time in the first 30 days, and was affected by environmental factors. Structural equation models and co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that the MPs indirectly affected the spectrum of ARGs by affecting biofilm formation, and, to a lesser extent, had a direct impact on the selective enrichment of ARGs. We discuss the mechanisms of the relationships between MPs and ARGs in the leachate treatment system, which will have guiding significance for future research. Our data on the colonization of microorganisms and tet genes in MPs biofilms provide new evidence concerning the accumulation and transmission of these ARGs, and are important for understanding the mechanisms of MPs in spreading pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Yiting Lian
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Siyi Li
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Mingdi Yang
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Qiaona Xie
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Libo Qiu
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Hongyuan Liu
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China.
| | - Yuyang Long
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Lifang Hu
- College of Quality and Safety Engineering, Institution of Industrial Carbon Metrology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Chengran Fang
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China.
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Chen H, Shan X, Qiu X, Ding L, Liang X, Guo X. High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Combined with Reactive Oxygen Species Reveals Differences in Photoreactivity of Dissolved Organic Matter from Microplastic Sources in Aqueous Environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10334-10346. [PMID: 38805726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs)-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs-DOM) is becoming a non-negligible source of DOM pools in aquatic systems, but there is limited understanding about the photoreactivity of different MPs-DOM. Herein, MPs-DOM from polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), PE, and polypropylene (PP), representing aromatic, biodegradable, and aliphatic plastics, were prepared to examine their photoreactivity. Spectral and high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses revealed that PS/PET/PBAT-DOM contained more unsaturated aromatic components, whereas PE/PP-DOM was richer in saturated aliphatic components. Photodegradation experiments observed that unsaturated aromatic molecules were prone to be degraded compared to saturated aliphatic molecules, leading to a higher degradation of PS/PET/PBAT-DOM than PE/PP-DOM. PS/PET/PBAT-DOM was mainly degraded by hydroxyl (•OH) via attacking unsaturated aromatic structures, whereas PE/PP-DOM by singlet oxygen (1O2) through oxidizing aliphatic side chains. The [•OH]ss was 1.21-1.60 × 10-4 M in PS/PET/PBAT-DOM and 0.97-1.14 × 10-4 M in PE/PP-DOM, while the [1O2]ss was 0.90-1.35 × 10-12 and 0.33-0.44 × 10-12 M, respectively. This contributes to the stronger photoreactivity of PS/PET/PBAT-DOM with a higher unsaturated aromatic degree than PE/PP-DOM. The photodegradation of MPs-DOM reflected a decreasing tendency from aromatic-unsaturated molecules to aliphatic-saturated molecules. Special attention should be paid to the photoreactivity and environmental impacts associated with MPs-DOM containing highly unsaturated aromatic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiaoling Shan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xinran Qiu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Ling Ding
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xujun Liang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuetao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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Xiao R, Huang D, Du L, Tang X, Song B, Yin L, Chen Y, Zhou W, Gao L, Li R, Huang H, Zeng G. Molecular insights into linkages among free-floating macrophyte-derived organic matter, the fate of antibiotic residues, and antibiotic resistance genes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134351. [PMID: 38653136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134351] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Macrophyte rhizospheric dissolved organic matter (ROM) served as widespread abiotic components in aquatic ecosystems, and its effects on antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) could not be ignored. However, specific influencing mechanisms for ROM on the fate of antibiotic residues and expression of ARGs still remained unclear. Herein, laboratory hydroponic experiments for water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) were carried out to explore mutual interactions among ROM, sulfamethoxazole (SMX), bacterial community, and ARGs expression. Results showed ROM directly affect SMX concentrations through the binding process, while CO and N-H groups were main binding sites for ROM. Dynamic changes of ROM molecular composition diversified the DOM pool due to microbe-mediated oxidoreduction, with enrichment of heteroatoms (N, S, P) and decreased aromaticity. Microbial community analysis showed SMX pressure significantly stimulated the succession of bacterial structure in both bulk water and rhizospheric biofilms. Furthermore, network analysis further confirmed ROM bio-labile compositions as energy sources and electron shuttles directly influenced microbial structure, thereby facilitating proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (Methylotenera, Sphingobium, Az spirillum) and ARGs (sul1, sul2, intl1). This investigation will provide scientific supports for the control of antibiotic residues and corresponding ARGs in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihao Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
| | - Li Du
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xiang Tang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Biao Song
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Yashi Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lan Gao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ruijin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Hai Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Guangming Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
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5
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Butler J, Morgan S, Jones L, Upton M, Besinis A. Evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of a silver nanocomposite surface coating against nosocomial pathogens as an antibiofilm strategy to prevent hospital infections. Nanotoxicology 2024; 18:410-436. [PMID: 39051684 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2024.2379809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial nanocoatings may be a means of preventing nosocomial infections, which account for significant morbidity and mortality. The role of hospital sink traps in these infections is also increasingly appreciated. We describe the preparation, material characterization and antibacterial activity of a pipe cement-based silver nanocoating applied to unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, a material widely used in wastewater plumbing. Three-dimensional surface topography imaging and scanning electron microscopy showed increased roughness in all surface finishes versus control, with grinding producing the roughest surfaces. Silver stability within nanocoatings was >99.89% in deionized water and bacteriological media seeded with bacteria. The nanocoating exhibited potent antibiofilm (99.82-100% inhibition) and antiplanktonic (99.59-99.99% killing) activity against three representative bacterial species and a microbial community recovered from hospital sink traps. Hospital sink trap microbiota were characterized by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, revealing the presence of opportunistic pathogens from genera including Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Clostridioides. In a benchtop model sink trap system, nanocoating antibiofilm activity against this community remained significant after 11 days but waned following 25 days. Silver nanocoated disks in real-world sink traps in two university buildings had a limited antibiofilm effect, even though in vitro experiments using microbial communities recovered from the same traps demonstrated that the nanocoating was effective, reducing biofilm formation by >99.6% and killing >98% of planktonic bacteria. We propose that conditioning films forming in the complex conditions of real-world sink traps negatively impact nanocoating performance, which may have wider relevance to development of antimicrobial nanocoatings that are not tested in the real-world.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Butler
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Morgan
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis Jones
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandros Besinis
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Peninsula Dental School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
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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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7
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Wu Z, Ding Y, Qin Z, Sun Z, Wang Z, Cao X. Hemostatic Dressing Immobilized with ε-poly-L-lysine and Alginate Coated Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Prevents Blood Permeation by Pseudo-Dewetting Behavior. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400958. [PMID: 38770831 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The integration of hemostats with cotton fabrics is recognized as an effective approach to improve the hemostatic performance of dressings. However, concerns regarding the uncontrollable absorption of blood by hydrophilic dressings and the risk of distal thrombosis from shed hemostatic agents are increasingly scrutinized. To address these issues, this work develops an advanced dressing (AQG) with immobilized nano-scale mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) to safely and durably augment hemostasis. The doubly immobilized MBGs, pre-coated with ε-poly-L-lysine and alginate, demonstrate less than 1% detachment after ultrasonic washing. Notably, this MBG layer significantly promotes the adhesion, aggregation, and activation of red blood cells and platelets, adhered five times more red blood cells and 29 times more platelets than raw dressing, respectively. Specially, with the rapid formation of protein corona and amplification of thrombin, dense fibrin network is built on MBG layer and then blocked blood permeation transversely and longitudinally, showing an autophobic pseudo-dewetting behavior and allowing AQG to concentrate blood in situ and culminate in faster hemostasis with lower blood loss. Furthermore, the potent antibacterial properties of AQG extend its potential for broader application in daily care and clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilin Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Yilin Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Zhihao Qin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Zhipeng Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Zetao Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Xiaodong Cao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
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Merbt SN, Kroll A, Sgier L, Tlili A, Schirmer K, Behra R. Fate and effects of microplastic particles in a periphyton-grazer system. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123798. [PMID: 38492748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123798] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
In the aquatic environment, microplastic particles (MP) can accumulate in microbial communities that cover submerged substrata, i.e. in periphyton. Despite periphyton being the essential food source for grazers in the benthic zones, MP transfer from periphyton to benthic biota and its ecotoxicological consequences are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of 1) MP on embryonal development of freshwater gastropod Physa acuta embryos, 2) MP on adult Physa acuta individuals through dietary exposure and 3) on the MP surface properties. Embryonal development tests were carried out with spherical polyethylene MP in the size of 1-4 μm (MP). Over a period of 28 days, embryonal development and hatching rate were calculated. In the feeding experiments, periphyton was grown in the presence and absence of MP and was then offered to the adult Physa acuta for 42-152 h. The snails readily ingested and subsequently egested MP, together with the periphyton as shown by MP quantification in periphyton, snail soft body tissue and feces. No selective feeding behavior upon MP exposure was detected. The ingestion of MP had no effect on mortality, feeding and defecation rate. Yet, the reproductive output of snails, measured as the number of egg clutches and numbers of eggs per clutch, decreased after the ingestion of MPs, while the hatching success of snail embryos those parents were exposed remained unaffected. In contrast, hatching rate of snail embryos was significantly reduced upon direct MP exposure. MP optical properties were changed upon the incorporation into the periphyton and the passage through the digestive tract. Our results indicate that MP incorporated in periphyton are bioavailable to aquatic grazers, facilitating the introduction of MP into the food chain and having direct adverse effects on the grazers' reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Merbt
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Ceab.CSIC Centre D'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Access a La Cala St, Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain.
| | - Alexandra Kroll
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Linn Sgier
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Tlili
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kristin Schirmer
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; EPF Lausanne, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland; ETH Zürich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Renata Behra
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Aegetswil 4, 8492, Wila, Switzerland
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Zhao E, Xiong X, Li X, Hu H, Wu C. Effect of Biofilm Forming on the Migration of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate from PVC Plastics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6326-6334. [PMID: 38551364 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Plastic additives, represented by plasticizers, are important components of plastic pollution. Biofilms inevitably form on plastic surfaces when plastic enters the aqueous environment. However, little is known about the effect of biofilms on plastic surfaces on the release of additives therein. In this study, PVC plastics with different levels of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) content were investigated to study the effect of biofilm growth on DEHP release. The presence of biofilms promoted the migration of DEHP from PVC plastics to the external environment. Relative to biofilm-free controls, although the presence of surface biofilm resulted in 0.8 to 11.6 times lower DEHP concentrations in water, the concentrations of the degradation product, monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) in water, were 2.3 to 57.3 times higher. When the total release amounts of DEHP in the biofilm and in the water were combined, they were increased by 0.6-73 times after biofilm growth. However, most of the released DEHP was adsorbed in the biofilms and was subsequently degraded. The results of this study suggest that the biofilm as a new interface between plastics and the surrounding environment can affect the transport and transformation of plastic additives in the environment through barrier, adsorption, and degradation. Future research endeavors should aim to explore the transport dynamics and fate of plastic additives under various biofilm compositions as well as evaluate the ecological risks associated with their enrichment by biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Yanqihu East Rd, Huairou District, Beijing 101408, PR China
| | - Xiong Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Hongjuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan 430072, PR China
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10
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Ferheen I, Spurio R, Marcheggiani S. Emerging Issues on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Colonizing Plastic Waste in Aquatic Ecosystems. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:339. [PMID: 38667014 PMCID: PMC11047579 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) adhesion onto plastic substrates is a potential threat to environmental and human health. This current research investigates the prevalence of two relevant human pathogens, Staphylococcus spp. and Klebsiella spp., and their sophisticated equipment of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), retrieved from plastic substrates submerged into an inland water body. The results of microbiological analysis on selective and chromogenic media revealed the presence of colonies with distinctive phenotypes, which were identified using biochemical and molecular methods. 16S rDNA sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of Klebsiella spp., while in the case of Staphylococcus spp., 63.6% of strains were found to be members of Lysinibacillus spp., and the remaining 36.3% were identified as Exiguobacterium acetylicum. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay was performed to test the susceptibility of the isolates to nine commercially available antibiotics, while the genotypic resistant profile was determined for two genes of class 1 integrons and eighteen ARGs belonging to different classes of antibiotics. All isolated bacteria displayed a high prevalence of resistance against all tested antibiotics. These findings provide insights into the emerging risks linked to colonization by potential human opportunistic pathogens on plastic waste commonly found in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifra Ferheen
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (I.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Roberto Spurio
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (I.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Stefania Marcheggiani
- Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
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11
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Zhang S, Li Y, Jiang L, Chen X, Zhao Y, Shi W, Xing Z. From organic fertilizer to the soils: What happens to the microplastics? A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170217. [PMID: 38307274 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
In recent, soil microplastic pollution arising from organic fertilizers has been of a great increasing concern. In response to this concern, this review presents a comprehensive analysis of the occurrence and evolution of microplastics in organic fertilizers, their ingress into the soil, and the subsequent impacts. Organic fertilizers are primarily derived from solid organic waste generated by anthropocentric activities including urban (daily-life, municipal wastes and sludge), agricultural (manure, straw), and industrial (like food industrial waste etc.) processes. In order to produce organic fertilizer, the organic solid wastes are generally treated by aerobic composting or anaerobic digestion. Currently, microplastics have been widely detected in the raw materials and products of organic fertilizer. During the process of converting organic solid waste materials into fertilizer, intense oxidation, hydrolysis, and microbial actions significantly alter the physical, chemical, and surface biofilm properties of the plastics. After the organic fertilizer application, the abundances of microplastics significantly increased in the soil. Additionally, the degradation of these microplastics often promotes the adsorption of organic pollutants and affects their retention time in the soil. These microplastics, covered by biofilms, also significantly alter soil ecology due to the unique properties of the biofilm. Furthermore, the biofilms also play a role in the degradation of microplastics in the soil environment. This review offers a new perspective on the soil environmental processes involving microplastics from organic fertilizer sources and highlights the challenges associated with further research on organic fertilizers and microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Linshu Jiang
- Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Xingcai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wenzhuo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhijie Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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12
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Huang H, Shi Y, Gong Z, Wang J, Zheng L, Gao S. Revealing the characteristics of biofilms on different polypropylene plastic products: Comparison between disposable masks and takeaway boxes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133400. [PMID: 38198871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133400] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The increasingly severe plastic pollution issue was intensified by the enormous plastic emissions into ecosystems during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plastic wastes entering the environment were swiftly exposed to microorganisms and colonized by biofilms, and the plastic-biofilm combined effects further influenced the ecosystem. However, the non-woven structure of disposable masks discarded carelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic was different from those of plastics with flat surface. To reveal the potential effects of plastic structure on colonized biofilms, white disposable surgical masks (DM) and transparent takeaway boxes (TB), both made of polyethylene, were selected for the incubation of organic conditioning films and biofilms. The results indicated that the non-woven structure of disposable mask was destroyed by the influence of water infiltration and biofilm colonization. The influence of surface structure on conditioning films led to a relatively higher proportion of tryptophan-like substances on DM than those on TB samples. Therefore, biofilms with significantly higher microbial biomass and carbon metabolic capacity were formed on DM than those on TB samples owing to the combined effects of their differences in surface structure and conditioning films. Moreover, abundant functional microorganisms associated with stress tolerance, carbon metabolism and biofilm formation were observed in biofilms on disposable mask. Combining with the results of partial least squares regression analysis, the selective colonization of functional microorganisms on disposable masks with uneven surface longitudinal fluctuation was revealed. Although the predicted functions of biofilms on disposable masks and takeaway boxes showed more similarity to each other than to those of free-living aquatic microorganisms owing to the existence of the plastisphere, biofilms on disposable masks may potentially trigger environmental risks different from those of takeaway boxes by unique carbon metabolism and abundant biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexinyue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lezhou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Lazcano RF, Kelly JJ, Hoellein TJ. Biofilms on plastic litter in an urban river: Community composition and activity vary by substrate type. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11008. [PMID: 38443318 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
In aquatic ecosystems, plastic litter is a substrate for biofilms. Biofilms on plastic and natural surfaces share similar composition and activity, with some differences due to factors such as porosity. In freshwaters, most studies have examined biofilms on benthic substrates, while little research has compared the activity and composition of biofilms on buoyant plastic and natural surfaces. Additionally, the influence of substrate size and successional stage on biofilm composition has not been commonly assessed. We incubated three plastics of distinct textures that are buoyant in rivers, low-density polyethylene (rigid; 1.7 mm thick), low-density polyethylene film (flexible; 0.0254 mm thick), and foamed polystyrene (brittle; 6.5 mm thick), as well as wood substrates (untreated oak veneer; 0.6 mm thick) in the Chicago River. Each material was incubated at three sizes (1, 7.5, and 15 cm2 ). Substrates were incubated at 2-10 cm depths and removed weekly for 6 weeks. On each substrate we measured chlorophyll concentration, biofilm biomass, respiration, and flux of nitrogen gas. We sequenced 16S and 23S rRNA genes at Weeks 1, 3, and 6 to capture biofilm community composition across successional stages. Chlorophyll, biomass, and N2 flux were similar across substrates, but respiration was greater on wood than plastics. Bacterial and algal richness and diversity were highest on foam and wood compared to polyethylene substrates. Bacterial biofilm community composition was distinct between wood and plastic substrates, while the algal community was distinct on wood and foam, which were different from each other and polyethylene substrates. These results indicate that polymer properties influence biofilm alpha and beta diversity, which may affect transport and distribution of plastic pollution and associated microbes, as well as biogeochemical processes in urban rivers. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of substrate on biofilm characteristics, and the ecological impacts of plastic pollution on urban rivers. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Plastic physical and chemical properties act as forces of selection for biofilm. Biofilm activity was similar among three different types of plastic. Community composition between plastic and wood was different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl F Lazcano
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John J Kelly
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Timothy J Hoellein
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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14
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Juszczuk-Kubiak E. Molecular Aspects of the Functioning of Pathogenic Bacteria Biofilm Based on Quorum Sensing (QS) Signal-Response System and Innovative Non-Antibiotic Strategies for Their Elimination. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2655. [PMID: 38473900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the key mechanisms enabling bacterial cells to create biofilms and regulate crucial life functions in a global and highly synchronized way is a bacterial communication system called quorum sensing (QS). QS is a bacterial cell-to-cell communication process that depends on the bacterial population density and is mediated by small signalling molecules called autoinducers (AIs). In bacteria, QS controls the biofilm formation through the global regulation of gene expression involved in the extracellular polymeric matrix (EPS) synthesis, virulence factor production, stress tolerance and metabolic adaptation. Forming biofilm is one of the crucial mechanisms of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A common feature of human pathogens is the ability to form biofilm, which poses a serious medical issue due to their high susceptibility to traditional antibiotics. Because QS is associated with virulence and biofilm formation, there is a belief that inhibition of QS activity called quorum quenching (QQ) may provide alternative therapeutic methods for treating microbial infections. This review summarises recent progress in biofilm research, focusing on the mechanisms by which biofilms, especially those formed by pathogenic bacteria, become resistant to antibiotic treatment. Subsequently, a potential alternative approach to QS inhibition highlighting innovative non-antibiotic strategies to control AMR and biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Juszczuk-Kubiak
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Engineering, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology-State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Xu Y, Ou Q, van der Hoek JP, Liu G, Lompe KM. Photo-oxidation of Micro- and Nanoplastics: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Effects in Environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:991-1009. [PMID: 38166393 PMCID: PMC10795193 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are attracting increasing attention due to their persistence and potential ecological risks. This review critically summarizes the effects of photo-oxidation on the physical, chemical, and biological behaviors of MNPs in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The core of this paper explores how photo-oxidation-induced surface property changes in MNPs affect their adsorption toward contaminants, the stability and mobility of MNPs in water and porous media, as well as the transport of pollutants such as organic pollutants (OPs) and heavy metals (HMs). It then reviews the photochemical processes of MNPs with coexisting constituents, highlighting critical factors affecting the photo-oxidation of MNPs, and the contribution of MNPs to the phototransformation of other contaminants. The distinct biological effects and mechanism of aged MNPs are pointed out, in terms of the toxicity to aquatic organisms, biofilm formation, planktonic microbial growth, and soil and sediment microbial community and function. Furthermore, the research gaps and perspectives are put forward, regarding the underlying interaction mechanisms of MNPs with coexisting natural constituents and pollutants under photo-oxidation conditions, the combined effects of photo-oxidation and natural constituents on the fate of MNPs, and the microbiological effect of photoaged MNPs, especially the biotransformation of pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanghui Xu
- Key
Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre
for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
- Section
of Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of
Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft
University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Qin Ou
- Key
Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre
for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
- Section
of Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of
Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft
University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Peter van der Hoek
- Section
of Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of
Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft
University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
- Waternet,
Department Research & Innovation,
P.O. Box 94370, 1090 GJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gang Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre
for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
- Section
of Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of
Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft
University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Kim Maren Lompe
- Section
of Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of
Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft
University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
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16
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Sun Y, Mazzotta MG, Miller CA, Apprill A, Izallalen M, Mazumder S, Perri ST, Edwards B, Reddy CM, Ward CP. Distinct microbial communities degrade cellulose diacetate bioplastics in the coastal ocean. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0165123. [PMID: 38054734 PMCID: PMC10734458 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01651-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Cellulose diacetate (CDA) is a promising alternative to conventional plastics due to its versatility in manufacturing and low environmental persistence. Previously, our group demonstrated that CDA is susceptible to biodegradation in the ocean on timescales of months. In this study, we report the composition of microorganisms driving CDA degradation in the coastal ocean. We found that the coastal ocean harbors distinct bacterial taxa implicated in CDA degradation and these taxa have not been previously identified in prior CDA degradation studies, indicating an unexplored diversity of CDA-degrading bacteria in the ocean. Moreover, the shape of the plastic article (e.g., a fabric, film, or foam) and plasticizer in the plastic matrix selected for different microbial communities. Our findings pave the way for future studies to identify the specific species and enzymes that drive CDA degradation in the marine environment, ultimately yielding a more predictive understanding of CDA biodegradation across space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchen Sun
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Carolyn A. Miller
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy Apprill
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Christopher M. Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Collin P. Ward
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Rohrbach S, Gkoutselis G, Hink L, Weig AR, Obst M, Diekmann A, Ho A, Rambold G, Horn MA. Microplastic polymer properties as deterministic factors driving terrestrial plastisphere microbiome assembly and succession in the field. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2681-2697. [PMID: 36224114 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Environmental microplastic (MP) is ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems providing artificial habitats for microbes. Mechanisms of MP colonization, MP polymer impacts, and effects on soil microbiomes are largely unknown in terrestrial systems. Therefore, we experimentally tested the hypothesis that MP polymer type is an important deterministic factor affecting MP community assembly by incubating common MP polymer types in situ in landfill soil for 14 months. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated that MP polymers have specific impacts on plastisphere microbiomes, which are subsets of the soil microbiome. Chloroflexota, Gammaproteobacteria, certain Nitrososphaerota, and Nanoarchaeota explained differences among MP polymers and time points. Plastisphere microbial community composition derived from different MP diverged over time and was enriched in potential pathogens. PICRUSt predictions of pathway abundances and quantitative PCR of functional marker genes indicated that MP polymers exerted an ambivalent effect on genetic potentials of biogeochemical cycles. Overall, the data indicate that (i) polymer type as deterministic factor rather than stochastic factors drives plastisphere community assembly, (ii) MP impacts greenhouse gas metabolism, xenobiotic degradation and pathogen distribution, and (iii) MP serves as an ideal model system for studying fundamental questions in microbial ecology such as community assembly mechanisms in terrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Rohrbach
- Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Linda Hink
- Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alfons R Weig
- Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Martin Obst
- Experimental Biogeochemistry, BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Astrid Diekmann
- Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie e.V., Hannover, Germany
| | - Adrian Ho
- Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerhard Rambold
- Department of Mycology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Marcus A Horn
- Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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18
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Zhang C, Dong Z, Chen Q, Lin Y, Zhou Y, Xu Q. Determination of key factors affecting biofilm formation on the aged Poly(ethylene terephthalate) during anaerobic digestion. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140435. [PMID: 37832880 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140435] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm formation on plastic surface is a growing concern because it can alter the plastic surface properties and exacerbate the ecological risk. Identifying key factors that affecting biofilm formation is critical for effective pollution control. In this study, the poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was aged in water and air conditions with UV irradiation, then incubated in the digestate of food waste anaerobic digestion to allow biofilm formation. Surface analysis techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), were utilized to investigated the changes in the topography, roughness, hydrophily, and functional groups change of the PET surface during the aging process. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to determine the distribution of microorganisms on the PET surface after incubation in the digestate. This study focused on understanding the interactions between the PET surface and biofilm to identify critical surface factors that affect biofilm formation. Results showed that the four months aging process decreased the contact angle of the PET surface from 96.92° to 76.08° and 68.97° in water and air conditions, respectively, corresponding to an increase of 44% and 70% in the surface energy. Additionally, aging in air conditions led to a rougher surface compared to water conditions. The arithmetic roughness average (Ra) of the PET-Water was 11.0 nm, comparable to that of the pristine PET, while the value of PET-Air was much higher (43.9 nm). The results further indicated that biofilm formation during anaerobic digestion was more sensitive to roughness than hydrophily. The PET surface aged in air conditions provided a more suitable environment for microbial reproduction, leading to the aggradation of living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Eco-efficient Recycled Materials, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Zihang Dong
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Eco-efficient Recycled Materials, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Qindong Chen
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Eco-efficient Recycled Materials, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Yeqi Lin
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Eco-efficient Recycled Materials, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Yutong Zhou
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Eco-efficient Recycled Materials, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Qiyong Xu
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Eco-efficient Recycled Materials, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
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19
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Zhang X, Niu Z, Zhang Y, Guan S, Jing M, Wu N, Ma Y. Role of traveling microplastics as bacterial carriers based on spatial and temporal dynamics of bacterial communities. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120832. [PMID: 37976625 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120832] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are considered as distinct substrates for bacterial colonization, they can carry bacterial communities to travel around environments. The bacterial communities on traveling MPs prefer to be gradually consistent with those on local MPs that were always in the same environment, and this process of change in the bacterial communities on traveling MPs was called 'localization'. However, the dynamics of localization process and their influencing factors are still unclear. Therefore, we simulated the MPs migration process along the water flow direction in the estuary. We used quantitative analysis to study the dynamics of bacterial communities on the migrated MPs. We found the localization characteristics depended on the differences between the former and latter environments, as well as the preexisting bacteria. The localization degree was higher when the former and latter environments were similar. In most cases, compared with the first cultivation of pristine MPs, the time for localization was shorter. Moreover, although the entire bacterial communities tended to be localized, the preexisting bacteria on the migrated MPs had selective effects on subsequent bacterial colonization. Furthermore, the preexisting bacteria on MPs could set up the connections with the bacteria that existed at the latter site, and the stability of the entire bacterial communities on the migrated MPs increased with time. Overall, our findings indicated that the localization characteristics of bacterial communities on traveling MPs were related to the precultured time and environmental differences, which were helpful to understand the colonized bacteria transportation and MPs ecological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhiguang Niu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; International Joint Institute of Tianjin University, Fuzhou, Fuzhou 350205, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Shijia Guan
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Meiqi Jing
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Nan Wu
- School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Yongzheng Ma
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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20
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Reichelt S, Gorokhova E. Aggregation in experimental studies with microparticles: Experimental settings change particle size distribution during exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122369. [PMID: 37597735 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous occurrence of microplastics is raising broad concerns and motivating effect studies. In these studies, however, particle behaviour in the water and aggregation are rarely considered leading to contradictory results reported by different studies. Using an environmentally relevant experimental setup with Daphnia magna as a test organism, we investigated how experimental conditions affect particle aggregation and the aggregate heterogeneity in terms of the particle size distribution. The experimental factors considered were (1) exposure duration (48 h vs 120 h), (2) the total mass of suspended solids (0-10 mg/l) composed of natural mineral particles (kaolin) and microplastics, (3) the proportion of the microplastics in the particle suspension (0-10% by mass), (4) dissolved organic matter (DOM; 0 vs 20 mg agarose/l), and (5) presence of the test organism (0 and 5 daphnids/vial). We found that particle aggregation occurs within the first 48 h of incubation in all treatments, no substantial change in the aggregate heterogeneity is observed afterwards. The median aggregate size was ∼2-fold higher than the nominal average particle size of clay and microplastics in the stock suspensions used to prepare the experimental mixtures. The strongest positive driver of the aggregate size and heterogeneity was DOM, followed by the presence of daphnids and the concentration of the suspended solids in the system. Also, microplastics were found to facilitate aggregation, albeit they were the weakest contributor. Moreover, besides directly increasing the aggregation, DOM relaxed the effects of the total solids and daphnids on the aggregate size. Thus, the particle size distribution was established early during the exposure and shaped by all experimental factors and their interactions. These findings improve our understanding of the processes occurring in the exposure systems when conducting effect studies with microplastics and other particulates and demonstrate the necessity to access the particle size distribution to characterise the exposure. Aslo, relevant experimental designs with microplastics must include relevant natural particulates and DOM to ensure environmentally realistic particle behaviour and adequate particle-biota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Reichelt
- Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Elena Gorokhova
- Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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21
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Singleton SL, Davis EW, Arnold HK, Daniels AMY, Brander SM, Parsons RJ, Sharpton TJ, Giovannoni SJ. Identification of rare microbial colonizers of plastic materials incubated in a coral reef environment. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1259014. [PMID: 37869676 PMCID: PMC10585116 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1259014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste accumulation in marine environments has complex, unintended impacts on ecology that cross levels of community organization. To measure succession in polyolefin-colonizing marine bacterial communities, an in situ time-series experiment was conducted in the oligotrophic coastal waters of the Bermuda Platform. Our goals were to identify polyolefin colonizing taxa and isolate bacterial cultures for future studies of the biochemistry of microbe-plastic interactions. HDPE, LDPE, PP, and glass coupons were incubated in surface seawater for 11 weeks and sampled at two-week intervals. 16S rDNA sequencing and ATR-FTIR/HIM were used to assess biofilm community structure and chemical changes in polymer surfaces. The dominant colonizing taxa were previously reported cosmopolitan colonizers of surfaces in marine environments, which were highly similar among the different plastic types. However, significant differences in rare community composition were observed between plastic types, potentially indicating specific interactions based on surface chemistry. Unexpectedly, a major transition in community composition occurred in all material treatments between days 42 and 56 (p < 0.01). Before the transition, Alteromonadaceae, Marinomonadaceae, Saccharospirillaceae, Vibrionaceae, Thalassospiraceae, and Flavobacteriaceae were the dominant colonizers. Following the transition, the relative abundance of these taxa declined, while Hyphomonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae and Saprospiraceae increased. Over the course of the incubation, 8,641 colonizing taxa were observed, of which 25 were significantly enriched on specific polyolefins. Seven enriched taxa from families known to include hydrocarbon degraders (Hyphomonadaceae, Parvularculaceae and Rhodobacteraceae) and one n-alkane degrader (Ketobacter sp.). The ASVs that exhibited associations with specific polyolefins are targets of ongoing investigations aimed at retrieving plastic-degrading microbes in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward W. Davis
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Holly K. Arnold
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | | | - Susanne M. Brander
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States
| | | | - Thomas J. Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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22
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Gómez VA, Pozo K, Clérandeau C, Cachot J, Montes C, Přibylová P, Glabán-Malagón C, Clarke B, Klanova J, Morin B. Plastic debris, persistent organic pollutants and their toxicity impacts in coastal areas in Central Chile. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115361. [PMID: 37579596 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115361] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The chemical components of plastic wastes have made their disposal a major economic, social, and environmental problem worldwide. This study evaluated the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of marine plastic debris on the beaches of Concepción Bay, Central Chile, taken during three periods (spring, summer, and winter). An integrated approach was used, including chemical and toxicological data, using the Microtox® test with Vibrio fischeri and SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli and concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The results presented here exclusively include the novel data obtained from the winter campaign, revealing high concentrations of PBDEs (238 ± 521 ng g-1). In addition, the genotoxicity and acute toxicity tests were sensitive for most of the samples studied. This investigation is the first attempt to analyse the toxicity of plastic debris in coastal areas along the Chilean coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Gómez
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Italy,; Centro GEMA (Genómica, Ecología y Medio Ambiente), Universidad Mayor, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580000, Chile; Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile.
| | - Karla Pozo
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur, 1457, Concepción 4080871, Chile; Masaryk University, Faculty of Science (RECETOX), Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Jérôme Cachot
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Caroline Montes
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, 4070386, Chile
| | - Petra Přibylová
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science (RECETOX), Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Cristóbal Glabán-Malagón
- Centro GEMA (Genómica, Ecología y Medio Ambiente), Universidad Mayor, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580000, Chile; Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bradley Clarke
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jana Klanova
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science (RECETOX), Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Bénédicte Morin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France.
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23
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Huang Q, Yang C, Cheng Z, Wang H, Mojiri A, Zhu N, Qian X, Shen Y, Wu S, Lou Z. Exploring into a light-avoided environment: Mechanical-thermal coupled conditions responsible for the aging behavior of plastic waste in landfills. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120162. [PMID: 37307685 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120162] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics in landfills undergo a unique micronization process due to multi-factor and light-avoided conditions, but their aging process in such a typical environment remains unexplored. This study investigated the aging behavior of polyethylene plastics, representative of landfills, under simulated dynamic mechanical forces and high temperature-two prevalent environmental factors in landfills. The study explored the individual and combined contributions of these factors to the aging process. Results indicated that high temperature played a primary role in aging plastics by depolymerization and degradation through ·OH production, while mechanical forces contributed mainly to surface structure breakdown. The combined effect leads to more serious surface damage, creating holes, cracks, and scratches that provide access for free radical reactions to plastic bulk, thereby accelerating the aging and micronization process. The resulting microplastics were found to be 14.25 ± 0.53 μg L-1. Aged plastics exhibit a rapid aging rate of depolymerization and oxidation compared to virgin plastics due to their weak properties, suggesting a higher potential risk of microplastic generation. This study fills a knowledge gap regarding the aging behavior of plastics under complex and light-avoided landfill conditions, emphasizing the need for increased attention to the evolution process of microplastics from aged plastic waste in landfills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujie Huang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Changfu Yang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhaowen Cheng
- School of Resource Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Amin Mojiri
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Nanwen Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoyong Qian
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yilong Shen
- Shanghai Solid Waste Management Center, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Shaolin Wu
- Shanghai Solid Waste Management Center, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Ziyang Lou
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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24
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Wu J, Ye Q, Sun L, Liu J, Huang M, Wang T, Wu P, Zhu N. Impact of persistent rain on microplastics distribution and plastisphere community: A field study in the Pearl River, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163066. [PMID: 37004292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is a global problem which has been threatening human health and the environment. There is still a knowledge gap about the effect of persistent rain on microplastics distribution and plastisphere community in fluvial environments. In this study, the abundance and composition of microplastics in the sediment and surface water from the Pearl River was investigated. Thirty polymers (10-500 μm) were identified from thirty-eight samples collected at ten sites using the newly developed laser direct infrared (LDIR) technique. The average concentrations of microplastics in the sediment and surface water were 1974 particles kg-1 and 290 particles L-1, respectively. Abnormally high concentrations of polyurethanes (PU) were possibly due to particulate pollution from ship antifouling. The persistent rain increased the abundance and diversity of microplastics in the surface water, whereas an opposite trend was observed in the sediment. Sediments could temporarily switch from microplastics sinks to potential sources under the effect of violent hydrodynamic disturbances. Additionally, plastisphere communities and predicted functional profiles indicated significant differences before and after the rain. Our study highlights the important impact of persistent rain on microplastic contamination in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayan Wu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Quanyun Ye
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for System Control of Livestock and Poultry Breeding Pollution, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Leiye Sun
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jieyu Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Minye Huang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Tianming Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Pingxiao Wu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Nengwu Zhu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
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25
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Bitalac JMS, Lantican NB, Gomez NCF, Onda DFL. Attachment of potential cultivable primo-colonizing bacteria and its implications on the fate of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics in the marine environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 451:131124. [PMID: 36871466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131124] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastics released in the environment become suitable matrices for microbial attachment and colonization. Plastics-associated microbial communities interact with each other and are metabolically distinct from the surrounding environment. However, pioneer colonizing species and their interaction with the plastic during initial colonization are less described. Marine sediment bacteria from sites in Manila Bay were isolated via a double selective enrichment method using sterilized low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets as the sole carbon source. Ten isolates were identified to belong to the genera Halomonas, Bacillus, Alteromonas, Photobacterium, and Aliishimia based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, and majority of the taxa found exhibit a surface-associated lifestyle. Isolates were then tested for their ability to colonize polyethylene (PE) through co-incubation with LDPE sheets for 60 days. Growth of colonies in crevices, formation of cell-shaped pits, and increased roughness of the surface indicate physical deterioration. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed significant changes in the functional groups and bond indices on LDPE sheets separately co-incubated with the isolates, demonstrating that different species potentially target different substrates of the photo-oxidized polymer backbone. Understanding the activity of primo-colonizing bacteria on the plastic surface can provide insights on the possible mechanisms used to make plastic more bioavailable for other species, and their implications on the fate of plastics in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Marey S Bitalac
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines; Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031 Laguna, Philippines
| | - Nacita B Lantican
- Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031 Laguna, Philippines
| | - Norchel Corcia F Gomez
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines; Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031 Laguna, Philippines
| | - Deo Florence L Onda
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines.
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26
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Zhang X, Li Y, Lei J, Li Z, Tan Q, Xie L, Xiao Y, Liu T, Chen X, Wen Y, Xiang W, Kuzyakov Y, Yan W. Time-dependent effects of microplastics on soil bacteriome. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130762. [PMID: 36638676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic threats to biodiversity, health and ecological safety are adding to concern worldwide, but the real impacts on the functioning of organisms and ecosystems are obscure owing to their inert characteristics. Here we investigated the long-lasting ecological effects of six prevalent microplastic types: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on soil bacteria at a 2 % (w/w) level. Due to the inertia and lack of available nitrogen of these microplastics, their effects on bacteriome tended to converge after one year and were strongly different from their short-term effects. The soil volumes around microplastics were very specific, in which the microplastic-adapted bacteria (e.g., some genera in Actinobacteria) were enriched but the phyla Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes declined, resulting in higher microbial nitrogen requirements and reduced organic carbon mineralization. The reshaped bacteriome was specialized in the genetic potential of xenobiotic and lipid metabolism as well as related oxidation, esterification, and hydrolysis processes, but excessive oxidative damage resulted in severe weakness in community genetic information processing. According to model predictions, microplastic effects are indirectly derived from nutrients and oxidative stress, and the effects on bacterial functions are stronger than on structure, posing a heavy risk to soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyuan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Forest Ecological Technology in Southern China, Changsha 410004, China; College of Landscape Architecture, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Yong Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Forest Ecological Technology in Southern China, Changsha 410004, China; Laboratory of Urban Forest Ecology of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China.
| | - Junjie Lei
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Ziqian Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Qianlong Tan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Lingli Xie
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Yunmu Xiao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Ting Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Forest Ecological Technology in Southern China, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Xiaoyong Chen
- College of Arts and Sciences, Governors State University, University Park, IL 60484, USA
| | - Yafeng Wen
- College of Landscape Architecture, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Wenhua Xiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Forest Ecological Technology in Southern China, Changsha 410004, China; Laboratory of Urban Forest Ecology of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Yakov Kuzyakov
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; Department of Agricultural Soil Science, University of Goettingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Dept. of Soil Science of Temperate Ecosystems, University of Goettingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Wende Yan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Forest Ecological Technology in Southern China, Changsha 410004, China; Laboratory of Urban Forest Ecology of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China.
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27
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Martínez-Campos S, González-Pleiter M, Rico A, Schell T, Vighi M, Fernández-Piñas F, Rosal R, Leganés F. Time-course biofilm formation and presence of antibiotic resistance genes on everyday plastic items deployed in river waters. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130271. [PMID: 36351347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The plastisphere has been widely studied in the oceans; however, there is little information on how living organisms interact with the plastisphere in freshwater ecosystems, and particularly on how this interaction changes over time. We have characterized, over one year, the evolution of the eukaryotic and bacterial communities colonizing four everyday plastic items deployed in two sites of the same river with different anthropogenic impact. α-diversity analyses showed that site had a significant role in bacterial and eukaryotic diversity, with the most impacted site having higher values of the Shannon diversity index. β-diversity analyses showed that site explained most of the sample variation followed by substrate type (i.e., plastic item) and time since first colonization. In this regard, core microbiomes/biomes in each plastic at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months could be identified at genus level, giving a global overview of the evolution of the plastisphere over time. The measured concentration of antibiotics in the river water positively correlated with the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on the plastics. These results provide relevant information on the temporal dynamics of the plastisphere in freshwater ecosystems and emphasize the potential contribution of plastic items to the global spread of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Martínez-Campos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, E-28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel González-Pleiter
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreu Rico
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the Universidad de Alcalá, Av. Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidad de Valencia, c/ Catedrático José Beltrán 2, Paterna, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Theresa Schell
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the Universidad de Alcalá, Av. Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marco Vighi
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the Universidad de Alcalá, Av. Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Fernández-Piñas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C Darwin 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Rosal
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, E-28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Leganés
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C Darwin 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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28
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Li R, Tao J, Huang D, Zhou W, Gao L, Wang X, Chen H, Huang H. Investigating the effects of biodegradable microplastics and copper ions on probiotic (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens): Toxicity and application. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130081. [PMID: 36367472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Currently, microplastic pollution is more serious and complicates the toxic effects of other co-existing pollutants in the environment. However, the effect and mechanism of biodegradable plastics on the growth and metabolism of probiotic remain unclear. This work selected Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as model bacterium for a three-day exposure experiment to probe the issues. The results showed that 100 mg/L polylactic acid microplastics (PLA MPs) (3-4 mm, flake shape) caused oxidative damage to cell membranes, disrupted cell wall composition and inhibited cell growth by 21.2-27.5 %. The toxicity was not simply additive or synergistic effects when PLA MPs (100 mg/L) and copper ions (10 mg/L) coexisted. PLA MPs did not significantly increase the toxicity of copper to bacteria, instead triggered some mechanisms to resist the toxicity of copper. The bacteria formed spores to resist PLA MPs, while the copper ions toxicity was weaken by chelation and efflux. It is worth noting that copper ions instead increased the expression of genes related fengycin and iturin then improving the bacteriostatic activity of the probiotic. This paper deeply analyzes the toxicity mechanism of combined pollution on Bacillus amyloliquefacien, and also provides new perspective for helping to inhibit pathogenic bacteria under biodegradable microplastics and metal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Jiaxi Tao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Lan Gao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Xinya Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Haojie Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Hai Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
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Binda G, Zanetti G, Bellasi A, Spanu D, Boldrocchi G, Bettinetti R, Pozzi A, Nizzetto L. Physicochemical and biological ageing processes of (micro)plastics in the environment: a multi-tiered study on polyethylene. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:6298-6312. [PMID: 35994148 PMCID: PMC9895034 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22599-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Pollution by plastic and microplastic impacts the environment globally. Knowledge on the ageing mechanisms of plastics in natural settings is needed to understand their environmental fate and their reactivity in the ecosystems. Accordingly, the study of ageing processes is gaining focus in the context of the environmental sciences. However, laboratory-based experimental research has typically assessed individual ageing processes, limiting environmental applicability. In this study, we propose a multi-tiered approach to study the environmental ageing of polyethylene plastic fragments focusing on the combined assessment of physical and biological processes in sequence. The ageing protocol included ultraviolet irradiation in air and in a range of water solutions, followed by a biofouling test. Changes in surface characteristics were assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and water contact angle. UV radiation both in air and water caused a significant increase in the density of oxidized groups (i.e., hydroxyl and carbonyl) on the plastic surface, whereby water solution chemistry influenced the process both by modulating surface oxidation and morphology. Biofouling, too, was a strong determinant of surface alterations, regardless of the prior irradiation treatments. All biofouled samples present (i) specific infrared bands of new surface functional groups (e.g., amides and polysaccharides), (ii) a further increase in hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, (iii) the diffuse presence of algal biofilm on the plastic surface, and (iv) a significant decrease in surface hydrophobicity. This suggests that biological-driven alterations are not affected by the level of physicochemical ageing and may represent, in real settings, the main driver of alteration of both weathered and pristine plastics. This work highlights the potentially pivotal role of biofouling as the main process of plastic ageing, providing useful technical insights for future experimental works. These results also confirm that a multi-tiered laboratory approach permits a realistic simulation of plastic environmental ageing in controlled conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Binda
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, 0579, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Zanetti
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellasi
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy
| | - Davide Spanu
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy
| | - Ginevra Boldrocchi
- Department of Human and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy
| | - Roberta Bettinetti
- Department of Human and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy
| | - Andrea Pozzi
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy
| | - Luca Nizzetto
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, 0579, Oslo, Norway
- RECETOX, Masarik University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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30
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Goudriaan M, Morales VH, van der Meer MTJ, Mets A, Ndhlovu RT, van Heerwaarden J, Simon S, Heuer VB, Hinrichs KU, Niemann H. A stable isotope assay with 13C-labeled polyethylene to investigate plastic mineralization mediated by Rhodococcus ruber. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114369. [PMID: 36462423 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Methods that unambiguously prove microbial plastic degradation and allow for quantification of degradation rates are necessary to constrain the influence of microbial degradation on the marine plastic budget. We developed an assay based on stable isotope tracer techniques to determine microbial plastic mineralization rates in liquid medium on a lab scale. For the experiments, 13C-labeled polyethylene (13C-PE) particles (irradiated with UV-light to mimic exposure of floating plastic to sunlight) were incubated in liquid medium with Rhodococcus ruber as a model organism for proof of principle. The transfer of 13C from 13C-PE into the gaseous and dissolved CO2 pools translated to microbially mediated mineralization rates of up to 1.2 % yr-1 of the added PE. After incubation, we also found highly 13C-enriched membrane fatty acids of R. ruber including compounds involved in cellular stress responses. We demonstrated that isotope tracer techniques are a valuable tool to detect and quantify microbial plastic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Goudriaan
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands.
| | - Victor Hernando Morales
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands; Centro de Investigación Mariña, University of Vigo, Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Biological Oceanography Group, 36319 Vigo, Spain
| | - Marcel T J van der Meer
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands
| | - Anchelique Mets
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands
| | - Rachel T Ndhlovu
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands
| | - Johan van Heerwaarden
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands
| | - Sina Simon
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Verena B Heuer
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Kai-Uwe Hinrichs
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Helge Niemann
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ), 1797 SZ 't Horntje, the Netherlands; Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands; CAGE-Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, Department of Geosciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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31
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Current advances in interactions between microplastics and dissolved organic matters in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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32
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Chaudhary A, Dunn ST, Kelly J, Hoellein TJ. Plastic microbiome development in a freshwater ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157697. [PMID: 35914595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To understand biological interactions of plastic litter in freshwater ecosystems, as well the potential effects of plastics on ecosystem processes, studies of the activity and composition of plastic-associated microbial communities are needed. The physical properties and chemical composition of plastic polymers are key components of plastic product design, and may also select for distinct microbial biofilms colonizing plastic litter. We monitored growth and succession of biofilm communities on plastic substrates of common morphotypes (i.e., hard, soft, foam, and film) and a natural surface (i.e., an unglazed ceramic tile) incubated in an urban stream. We measured biofilm biomass, metabolism, extracellular enzyme activity, and bacterial, fungal and algal community composition over four weeks during primary succession. Results demonstrated a general increase in biofilm biomass and enzymatic activity corresponding to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism during biofilm development for all substrate types. We observed higher respiration rates and negative net ecosystem productivity on foam and tile surfaces in comparison to hard, soft and film plastic surfaces. Biofilm bacterial, fungal and algal assemblages showed few significant differences in composition among substrates. However, all microbial communities changed significantly in composition over time. While substrate type was not the major factor driving biofilm composition and activity, these data show plastic litter in streams is well colonized by an active and dynamic biofilm community. As plastic litter is increasing across all types of aquatic ecosystems, it should be considered a medium for biologically active organisms that contribute to key ecosystem processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adit Chaudhary
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America.
| | - Samuel T Dunn
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - John Kelly
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Timothy J Hoellein
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
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33
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Eronen-Rasimus EL, Näkki PP, Kaartokallio HP. Degradation Rates and Bacterial Community Compositions Vary among Commonly Used Bioplastic Materials in a Brackish Marine Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15760-15769. [PMID: 36269217 PMCID: PMC9671047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution threatens both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As a result of the pressures of replacing oil-based materials and reducing the accumulation of litter in the environment, the use of bioplastics is increasing, despite little being known about their accurate biodegradation in natural conditions. Here, we investigated the weight attrition and degradation behavior of four different bioplastic materials compared to conventional oil-based polyethylene during a 1-year in situ incubation in the brackish Baltic Sea and in controlled 1 month biodegradation experiments in the laboratory. Bacterial communities were also investigated to verify whether putative plastic-degrading bacteria are enriched on bioplastics. Poly-l-lactic acid showed no signs of degradation, whereas poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHB/HV), plasticized starch (PR), and cellulose acetate (CA) degraded completely or almost completely during 1-year in situ incubations. In accordance, bacterial taxa potentially capable of using complex carbon substrates and belonging, e.g., to class Gammaproteobacteria were significantly enriched on PHB/HV, PR, and CA. An increase in gammaproteobacterial abundance was also observed in the biodegradation experiments. The results show substantial differences in the persistence and biodegradation rates among bioplastics, thus highlighting the need for carefully selecting materials for applications with risk of becoming marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eeva L. Eronen-Rasimus
- Department
of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Marine
Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- E-mail:
| | - Pinja P. Näkki
- Marine
Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hermanni P. Kaartokallio
- Marine
Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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34
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Song X, Zhuang W, Cui H, Liu M, Gao T, Li A, Gao Z. Interactions of microplastics with organic, inorganic and bio-pollutants and the ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156068. [PMID: 35598660 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As emerging contaminants, microplastics (MPs) have attracted global attention. They are a potential risk to organisms, ecosystems and human health. MPs are characterized by small particle sizes, weak photodegradability, and are good environmental carriers. They can physically adsorb or chemically react with organic, inorganic and bio-pollutants to generate complex binary pollutants or change the environmental behaviors of these pollutants. We systematically reviewed the following aspects of MPs: (i) Adsorption of heavy metals and organic pollutants by MPs and the key environmental factors affecting adsorption behaviors; (ii) Enrichment and release of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on MPs and the effects of MPs on ARG migration in the environment; (iii) Formation of "plastisphere" and interactions between MPs and microorganisms; (iv) Ecotoxicological effects of MPs and their co-exposures with other pollutants. Finally, scientific knowledge gaps and future research areas on MPs are summarized, including standardization of study methodologies, ecological effects and human health risks of MPs and their combination with other pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocheng Song
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Wen Zhuang
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
| | - Huizhen Cui
- Public (Innovation) Center of Experimental Teaching, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Teng Gao
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Ao Li
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Zhenhui Gao
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
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35
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Hung CM, Chen CW, Huang CP, Hsieh SL, Dong CD. Ecological responses of coral reef to polyethylene microplastics in community structure and extracellular polymeric substances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 307:119522. [PMID: 35640726 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The relationships and interactions between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and microplastics (MPs) in coral reef ecosystems were symmetrically investigated. The current study aims to investigate the responses of scleractinian coral (Goniopora columna) to exposure of model MPs, exemplified by polyethylene (PE), in the size range of 40-48 μm as affected by MPs concentration of MP in the range between 0 and 300 mg L-1 for 14 days. The structure of EPS-associated microbial community was studied using a series of techniques including high-throughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), hydrodynamic diameter, surface charge (via zeta potential), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance‒Fourier transform infrared (ATR‒FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM) spectroscopy. Microbial interactions between PE-MPs and coral caused aggregation and formation of EPS matrix, which resulted in increase and decrease in the relative abundance of Donghicola (Proteobacteria phylum) and Marivita (Proteobacteria phylum) in PE-MP-associated EPS, respectively. Particle size, electrostatic interactions, and complexation with the functional groups of the EPS-based matrix affected the humification index. FEEM spectroscopy analyses suggested the presence of humic- and fulvic-like fluorophores in EPS and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in PE-MP-derived DOM. The findings provided insights into the potential environmental implications of coral-based EPS and co-existing microbial assemblages due to EPS-PE-MP-microbiome interactions throughout the dynamic PE-MP exposure process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Mao Hung
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Pao Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
| | - Shu-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
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36
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Witzmann T, Ramsperger AFRM, Wieland S, Laforsch C, Kress H, Fery A, Auernhammer GK. Repulsive Interactions of Eco-corona-Covered Microplastic Particles Quantitatively Follow Modeling of Polymer Brushes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:8748-8756. [PMID: 35736564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c03204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The environmental fate and toxicity of microplastic particles are dominated by their surface properties. In the environment, an adsorbed layer of biomolecules and natural organic matter forms the so-called eco-corona. A quantitative description of how this eco-corona changes the particles' colloidal interactions is still missing. Here, we demonstrate with colloidal probe-atomic force microscopy that eco-corona formation on microplastic particles introduces a compressible film on the surface, which changes the mechanical behavior. We measure single particle-particle interactions and find a pronounced increase of long-range repulsive interactions upon eco-corona formation. These force-separation characteristics follow the Alexander-de Gennes (AdG) polymer brush model under certain conditions. We further compare the obtained fitting parameters to known systems like polyelectrolyte multilayers and propose these as model systems for the eco-corona. Our results show that concepts of fundamental polymer physics, like the AdG model, also help in understanding more complex systems like biomolecules adsorbed to surfaces, i.e., the eco-corona.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Witzmann
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja F R M Ramsperger
- Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
- Biological Physics, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Simon Wieland
- Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
- Biological Physics, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Christian Laforsch
- Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Holger Kress
- Biological Physics, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Andreas Fery
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Physical Chemistry of Polymeric Materials, Technische Universität Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Günter K Auernhammer
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
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37
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Qin M, Gong J, Zeng G, Song B, Cao W, Shen M, Chen Z. The role of microplastics in altering arsenic fractionation and microbial community structures in arsenic-contaminated riverine sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 433:128801. [PMID: 35405589 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability of microplastics (MPs) to interact with environmental pollutants is of great concern. Riverine sediments, as sinks for multi-pollutants, have been rarely studied for MPs risk evaluation. Meanwhile, MPs generated from biodegradable plastics are questioning the safety of the promising materials. In this study, we investigated the effects of typical non-degradable polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) MPs on sediment enzymes, arsenic (As) fractionation, and microbial community structures in As-contaminated riverine sediments. The results indicated that the presence of MPs (1% and 3%, w/w) led As transformed into more labile and bioavailable fractions in riverine sediments, especially under higher As and MPs levels. Analysis on microbial activities and community structures confirmed the strong potential of MPs in inhibiting microbial activities and shifting bacterial community succession patterns through enrichment of certain microbiota. Moreover, biodegradable PLA MPs presented stronger alterations in arsenic fractionation and microbial community structures than PE MPs did, which might be jointly attributed to adsorption behaviors, microbial alterations, and potential PLA degradation behaviors. The study indicated that MPs contamination increased As mobility and bioavailability, and shifted microbial communities in riverine sediments. Moreover, biodegradable MPs might lead to stronger microbial alterations and increases in As bioavailability, acting as a threat to ecological safety, which needed further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Qin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Jilai Gong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring for Heavy Metal Pollutants, 410019, PR China.
| | - Guangming Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Biao Song
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Weicheng Cao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Maocai Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Zengping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
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38
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Trevisan R, Ranasinghe P, Jayasundara N, Di Giulio RT. Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environments: Impacts on Aquatic Species and Interactions with Environmental Factors and Pollutants. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10060326. [PMID: 35736934 PMCID: PMC9230143 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10060326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Plastic production began in the early 1900s and it has transformed our way of life. Despite the many advantages of plastics, a massive amount of plastic waste is generated each year, threatening the environment and human health. Because of their pervasiveness and potential for health consequences, small plastic residues produced by the breakdown of larger particles have recently received considerable attention. Plastic particles at the nanometer scale (nanoplastics) are more easily absorbed, ingested, or inhaled and translocated to other tissues and organs than larger particles. Nanoplastics can also be transferred through the food web and between generations, have an influence on cellular function and physiology, and increase infections and disease susceptibility. This review will focus on current research on the toxicity of nanoplastics to aquatic species, taking into account their interactive effects with complex environmental mixtures and multiple stressors. It intends to summarize the cellular and molecular effects of nanoplastics on aquatic species; discuss the carrier effect of nanoplastics in the presence of single or complex environmental pollutants, pathogens, and weathering/aging processes; and include environmental stressors, such as temperature, salinity, pH, organic matter, and food availability, as factors influencing nanoplastic toxicity. Microplastics studies were also included in the discussion when the data with NPs were limited. Finally, this review will address knowledge gaps and critical questions in plastics’ ecotoxicity to contribute to future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Trevisan
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Prabha Ranasinghe
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; (P.R.); (N.J.); (R.T.D.G.)
| | - Nishad Jayasundara
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; (P.R.); (N.J.); (R.T.D.G.)
| | - Richard T. Di Giulio
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; (P.R.); (N.J.); (R.T.D.G.)
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Wu C, Tanaka K, Tani Y, Bi X, Liu J, Yu Q. Effect of particle size on the colonization of biofilms and the potential of biofilm-covered microplastics as metal carriers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153265. [PMID: 35065112 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Upon release into the aquatic environment, the surface of microplastics (MPs) can be readily colonized by biofilms, which may enhance the adsorption of contaminants. In this study, industrial-grade polystyrene (PS) of about 4 mm in size (MP4000-1), food-grade PS of about 4 mm in size (MP4000-2), and Powder PS of about 75 μm in size (MP75) were co-cultured with a model freshwater fungus, namely Acremonium strictum strain KR21-2, for seven days to form biofilms on their surface. We also determined the changes in surface physicochemical properties of the biofilm-covered MPs (BMPs) and the heavy metal adsorption capacity of the original MPs and BMPs. The results revealed that the biofilms improve the adsorption of heavy metals on MPs, and the particle size of MPs plays a crucial role in biofilm colonization and adsorption of heavy metals by BMPs. MP75 can carry more biofilm on its surface than that of the two MP4000s and form heteroaggregates with biofilms. In addition, there were more functional groups on the surface of BMP75 than on the surface of the two BMP4000s, which could promote the electrostatic interaction and chemical association of heavy metals. Moreover, BMP75 exhibited a higher capacity to adsorb Cu and reduce Cr (VI), which may be related to the functional groups in its biofilm. Overall, this study showed that after biofilms colonization, BMPs of smaller size have more significant potential as a metal vector, and the particle size deserves more scientific attention during the risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Kazuya Tanaka
- Advanced Science Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Yukinori Tani
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Xiangyang Bi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Qianqian Yu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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Giebel BM, Cime S, Rodgers L, Li TD, Zhang S, Wang T. Short-term exposure to soils and sludge induce changes to plastic morphology and 13C stable isotopic composition. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153375. [PMID: 35093377 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is concern about the buildup of plastic waste in soil, their degradation into microplastics, and their potential to interfere with the natural processing of soil organic carbon and other nutrient cycling processes. Here we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 13C isotope ratio mass spectrometry to determine if precut consumer plastics comprised of either high density polyethylene (HDPE), a blend of linear low density polyethylene and low density polyethylene (L/LDPE), or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) would degrade or transform during a short-term, 32 day, exposure to soil or sludge in laboratory microcosms. SEM confirmed morphological changes occurred to all plastics, but the attachment of biofilm and presence of microorganisms mostly favored PETE and HDPE surfaces. These observations support the idea that abiotic and/or biotic processes may degrade plastics in soil; however distinguishable and significant changes in mean stable isotopic values (Δδ13C) of ~0.2-0.7‰ were only observed for exposed PETE and HDPE. This indicates that each plastic's degradation in soil may be dependent on their physical and chemical properties, with L/LDPE being more resistant and less prone to degradation compared to the others, and less dependent on the environmental conditions or properties of the soil or sludge. Our experiments were short-term and while the mechanisms of degradation are not clear, the results provide strong motivation for further studies of plastic fate and processing in soil systems. Direct mechanistic studies using stable isotopic approaches in combination with other characterizations and techniques are clearly warranted and may lead to a significant enhancement in our present understanding of the interactions and dynamics of plastics in the soil environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Giebel
- Environmental Sciences Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA.
| | - Schidza Cime
- Chemical Engineering Department, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Lauren Rodgers
- Environmental Sciences Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Tai-De Li
- Nanoscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Nanoscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Tong Wang
- Nanoscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
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Franklin T, Wu Y, Lang J, Li S, Yang R. Design of Polymeric Thin Films to Direct Microbial Biofilm Growth, Virulence, and Metabolism. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4933-4944. [PMID: 34694768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biofilms are ubiquitous in nature, yet strategies to direct biofilm behavior without genetic manipulation are limited. Due to the small selection of materials that have been used to successfully grow biofilms, the availability of functional materials that are able to support growth and program microbial functions remains a critical bottleneck in the design and deployment of functional yet safe microbes. Here, we report the design of insoluble pyridine-rich polymer surfaces synthesized using initiated chemical vapor deposition, which led to modulated biofilm growth and virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1). A variety of extracellular virulence factors exhibited decreased production in response to the functional polymer, most significantly biomolecules also associated with iron acquisition, validating the material design strategy reported here. This report signifies a rich potential for materials-based strategies to direct the behavior of naturally occurring biofilms, which complement the existing genetic engineering toolkits in advancing microbiology, translational medicine, and biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Franklin
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 120, Olin Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Yinan Wu
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 120, Olin Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jiayan Lang
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 120, Olin Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Sijin Li
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 120, Olin Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Rong Yang
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 120, Olin Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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