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Iurk VB, Ingles M, Correa GS, Silva CR, Staichak G, Pileggi SAV, Christo SW, Domit C, Pileggi M. The potential influence of microplastics on the microbiome and disease susceptibility in sea turtles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174298. [PMID: 38944299 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are particles with sizes of ≤5 mm formed when plastic materials break down. These contaminants are often found in marine environments, making it easy for sea turtles to ingest them and for their microbiome to be exposed. MPs can disrupt microbiome balance, leading to dysbiosis and making organisms more susceptible to diseases. Owing to the significance of these processes, it is crucial to dedicate research to studying the metabolic and genetic analysis of the gut microbiome in sea turtles. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of exposure to MPs on the gut microbiome of sea turtles, based on current knowledge. This review also aimed to explore the potential link between MP exposure and disease susceptibility in these animals. We show that the metabolites produced by the gut microbiome, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), polyamines, and polysaccharide A, can regulate the expression of host genes. Regulation occurs through various mechanisms, including histone acetylation, DNA methylation, and the modulation of cytokine gene expression. These processes are essential for preserving the integrity of the gut mucosa and enhancing the functionality of immune cells. Exposure to MPs disrupts the gut microbiome and alters gene expression, leading to immune system disturbances in sea turtles. This vulnerability makes turtles more susceptible to opportunistic microorganisms such as chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChAHV5), which is linked to the development of fibropapillomatosis (FP). Additionally, targeted dietary interventions or the use of live microorganisms such as probiotics can help restore microbial biodiversity and recover lost metabolic pathways. The goal of these interventions is to restore the functionality of the immune system in sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation at specialized centers. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in sea turtle health, sparking discussions and investigations that can potentially lead to promising treatments for these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Bonfim Iurk
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, PR 832555-000, Brazil; Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Setor de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-000, Brazil
| | - Mariana Ingles
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, PR 832555-000, Brazil
| | - Giovana Sequinel Correa
- Laboratório de Virologia Aplicada, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Caroline Rosa Silva
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Genética e Biologia Celular, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Staichak
- Instituto de Biociências da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, MT 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Sônia Alvim Veiga Pileggi
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Setor de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-000, Brazil.
| | - Susete Wambier Christo
- Laboratório de Zoologia, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Setor de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-000, Brazil
| | - Camila Domit
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, PR 832555-000, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Pileggi
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Setor de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR 84030-000, Brazil.
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2
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Taveira I, Castro RO, Cypriano J, Santos HF, Abreu F, de Araújo FV. Retrieving the real microbial diversity in aquatic plastisphere. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116719. [PMID: 39029147 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Disposed plastics in oceans provide a substrate to which microbes can adhere and structure the biofilm, namely the plastisphere. In this study, we showed that the mesoplastic density-based separation, routinely used in quantification assays, is detrimental to studying the microbiome diversity and ecology as it underestimates the real microbial diversity within these samples. Based on SEM and microbiome observations, we propose that chemically fixing samples before density separation preserves cellular diversity (2.32-fold change) and richness (1.12-fold change) that would be naturally lost due to the current methodology. OTUs assigned to Gram-negative bacterial species are the most negatively affected by omitting fixation and polymer composition was not decisive in shifting microbiome composition. Considering our findings, the formaldehyde-fixation step should be incorporated into the current methodology described in most studies as this is crucial to promote a deeper understanding of the microbial community in this ecosystem and biofilm-adhered scattering through aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Taveira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Rebeca O Castro
- Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua São João Batista, s/n, 24220900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Cypriano
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Henrique F Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua São João Batista, s/n, 24220900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Coral Vivo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Abreu
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio V de Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Centro, 24020-971 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Francisco Portela 1470, Patronato, 24435-005 São Gonçalo, RJ, Brazil
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3
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Martínez Rodríguez A, Kratina P, Jones JI. Microplastic pollution and nutrient enrichment shift the diet of freshwater macroinvertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124540. [PMID: 39004208 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution poses a global threat to freshwater ecosystems, with laboratory experiments indicating potential toxic impacts through chemical toxicity, physical abrasion, and false satiation. Bioplastics have emerged as a potential greener alternative to traditional oil-based plastics. Yet, their environmental effects remain unclear, particularly at scales relevant to the natural environment. Additionally, the interactive impacts of microplastics with other environmental stressors, such as nutrient enrichment, are poorly understood and rarely studied. Under natural conditions organisms might be able to mitigate the toxic effects of microplastics by shifting their diet, but this ability may be compromised by other stressors. This study combines an outdoor mesocosm experiment and stable isotope analysis to determine changes in the trophic niches of three freshwater invertebrate species exposed to conventional (HDPE) and bio-based biodegradable (PLA) microplastics at two concentrations, both independently and combined with nutrient enrichment. Exposure to microplastics altered the isotopic niches of two of the invertebrate species, with nutrient enrichment mediating this effect. Moreover, the effects of microplastics were consistent regardless of their type or concentration. Under enriched conditions, two of the species exposed to microplastics shifted to a specialised diet compared with controls, whereas little difference was observed between the isotopic niches of those exposed to microplastic and controls under ambient nutrient conditions. Additionally, PLA was estimated to support 24 % of the diet of one species, highlighting the potential assimilation of bioplastics by biota and possible implications. Overall, these findings suggest that the toxic effects of microplastics suggested from laboratory studies might not manifest under real-world conditions. However, this study does demonstrate that subtle sublethal effects occur even at environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations. The crucial role of nutrient enrichment in mediating microplastic effects underscores the importance of considering microplastic pollution in the context of other environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martínez Rodríguez
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Pavel Kratina
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - J Iwan Jones
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
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Wang X, Zheng K, Wang Y, Hou X, He Y, Wang Z, Zhang J, Chen X, Liu X. Microplastics and viruses in the aquatic environment: a mini review. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1433724. [PMID: 39021631 PMCID: PMC11251918 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1433724] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been widely found in the environment and have exerted non-negligible impacts on the environment and human health. Extensive research has shown that MPs can act as carriers for viruses and interacts with them in various ways. Whether MPs influence the persistence, transmission and infectivity of virus has attracted global concern in the context of increasing MPs contamination. This review paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the interactions between MPs and viruses in aquatic environments. Latest progress and research trends in this field are summarized based on literature analysis. Additionally, we discuss the potential risks posed by microplastic-associated viruses to human health and the environmental safety, highlighting that MPs can affect viral transmission and infectivity through various pathways. Finally, we underscores the need for further research to address key knowledge gaps, such as elucidating synergistic effects between MPs and viruses, understanding interactions under real environmental conditions, and exploring the role of biofilms in virus-MPs interactions. This review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding on the transmission of viruses in the context of increasing MPs pollution in water, and promote actions to reduce the potential risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuwen Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaixin Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Hou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yike He
- The Eighth Geological Brigade, Hebei Geological Prospecting Bureau, Qinhuangdao, China
- Marine Ecological Restoration and Smart Ocean Engineering Research Center of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Zhiyun Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiabo Zhang
- The Eighth Geological Brigade, Hebei Geological Prospecting Bureau, Qinhuangdao, China
- Marine Ecological Restoration and Smart Ocean Engineering Research Center of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Xiaochen Chen
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xianhua Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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5
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Valentine K, Hughes C, Boxall A. Plastic Litter Emits the Foraging Infochemical Dimethyl Sulfide after Submersion in Freshwater Rivers. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1485-1496. [PMID: 38661488 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5880] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is widespread throughout aquatic environments globally, with many organisms known to interact with and ingest plastic. In marine environments, microbial biofilms that form on plastic surfaces can produce the odorous compound dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which is a known foraging cue. This has been shown to increase the ingestion of plastic by some invertebrates and therefore act as a biological factor which influences the risks of plastic to marine ecosystems. In freshwater however, the production of DMS has been largely overlooked, despite the known sensitivity of some freshwater species to this compound. To address this gap, the present study analyzed the production of DMS by biofilms which formed on low-density polyethylene and polylactic acid films after 3 and 6 weeks of submersion in either a rural or an urban United Kingdom river. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the production of DMS by these biofilms was consistently identified. The amount of DMS produced varied significantly across river locations and materials, with surfaces in the urban river generally producing a stronger signal and plastics producing up to seven times more DMS than glass control surfaces. Analysis of biofilm weight and photosynthetic pigment content indicated differences in biofilm composition across conditions and suggested that DMS production was largely driven by nonphotosynthetic taxa. For the first time this work has documented the production of DMS by plastic litter after submersion in freshwater rivers. Further work is now needed to determine if, as seen in marine systems, this production of DMS can encourage the interaction of freshwater organisms with plastic litter and therefore operate as a biological risk factor in the impacts of plastic on freshwater environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1485-1496. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey Valentine
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- BeZero Carbon, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Hughes
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair Boxall
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Meng L, Liang L, Shi Y, Yin H, Li L, Xiao J, Huang N, Zhao A, Xia Y, Hou J. Biofilms in plastisphere from freshwater wetlands: Biofilm formation, bacterial community assembly, and biogeochemical cycles. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:134930. [PMID: 38901258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms can colonize to the surface of microplastics (MPs) to form biofilms, termed "plastisphere", which could significantly change their physiochemical properties and ecological roles. However, the biofilm characteristics and the deep mechanisms (interaction, assembly, and biogeochemical cycles) underlying plastisphere in wetlands currently lack a comprehensive perspective. In this study, in situ biofilm formation experiments were performed in a park with different types of wetlands to examine the plastisphere by extrinsic addition of PVC MPs in summer and winter, respectively. Results from the spectroscopic and microscopic analyses revealed that biofilms attached to the MPs in constructed forest wetlands contained the most abundant biomass and extracellular polymeric substances. Meanwhile, data from the high-throughput sequencing showed lower diversity in plastisphere compared with soil bacterial communities. Network analysis suggested a simple and unstable co-occurrence pattern in plastisphere, and the null model indicated increased deterministic process of heterogeneous selection for its community assembly. Based on the quantification of biogeochemical cycling genes by high-throughput qPCR, the relative abundances of genes involving in carbon degradation, carbon fixation, and denitrification were significantly higher in plastisphere than those of soil communities. This study greatly enhanced our understanding of biofilm formation and ecological effects of MPs in freshwater wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Meng
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang University, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China; Yangtze River Delta Urban Wetland Ecosystem National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Shanghai 201722, China
| | - Longrui Liang
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Yansong Shi
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Haitao Yin
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Jiamu Xiao
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Nannan Huang
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Angang Zhao
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Yangrongchang Xia
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Jingwen Hou
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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7
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de Vogel FA, Goudriaan M, Zettler ER, Niemann H, Eich A, Weber M, Lott C, Amaral-Zettler LA. Biodegradable plastics in Mediterranean coastal environments feature contrasting microbial succession. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172288. [PMID: 38599394 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172288] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution of the ocean is a top environmental concern. Biodegradable plastics present a potential "solution" in combating the accumulation of plastic pollution, and their production is currently increasing. While these polymers will contribute to the future plastic marine debris budget, very little is known still about the behavior of biodegradable plastics in different natural environments. In this study, we molecularly profiled entire microbial communities on laboratory confirmed biodegradable polybutylene sebacate-co-terephthalate (PBSeT) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) films, and non-biodegradable conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films that were incubated in situ in three different coastal environments in the Mediterranean Sea. Samples from a pelagic, benthic, and eulittoral habitat were taken at five timepoints during an incubation period of 22 months. We assessed the presence of potential biodegrading bacterial and fungal taxa and contrasted them against previously published in situ disintegration data of these polymers. Scanning electron microscopy imaging complemented our molecular data. Putative plastic degraders occurred in all environments, but there was no obvious "core" of shared plastic-specific microbes. While communities varied between polymers, the habitat predominantly selected for the underlying communities. Observed disintegration patterns did not necessarily match community patterns of putative plastic degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fons A de Vogel
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike Goudriaan
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands
| | - Erik R Zettler
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands
| | - Helge Niemann
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands; Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands; CAGE-Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, Department of Geosciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Andreas Eich
- HYDRA Marine Sciences GmbH, D-77815 Bühl, Germany
| | - Miriam Weber
- HYDRA Marine Sciences GmbH, D-77815 Bühl, Germany
| | | | - Linda A Amaral-Zettler
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands; Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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8
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Wang T, Lu F, Yang C, Wang C, Liao Y, Mkuye R, Deng Y. Exploring changes in microplastic-associated bacterial communities with time, location, and polymer type in Liusha Bay, China. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106525. [PMID: 38657370 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106525] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have become a widespread concern within marine environments and are particularly evident in aquaculture regions that are characterized by plastic accumulation. This study employed 16 S rDNA sequencing to investigate the dynamic succession of microbial communities colonizing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polyamide (PA) microplastics in seawater, when subjected to varying exposure durations in the Liusha Bay aquaculture region. Results revealed that the composition of microplastics microbial communities varied remarkably across geographical locations and exposure times. With an increase in exposure duration, both the diversity and richness of bacterial communities colonizing microplastics significantly increased, microbial communities show adaptations to the plastisphere. The type of microplastics had a significant effect on the community structure characteristicsof bacteria attached to their surfaces, with inconsistent trends in the relative abundance of different genera on different substrates. Notably, microplastic surfaces harbored a significant abundance of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, exemplified by Erythrobacter. These findings underscore the potential of microplastics as unique microbial niches. Meanwhile, long-term exposure experiments also offer the possibility of screening for plastic-degrading bacteria. In addition, the presence of the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio was detected in all microplastic samples, implying that microplastics could serve as carriers for pathogenic dissemination. This underscores the urgency of addressing the risk posed by the proliferation of harmful bacteria on microplastic surfaces. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of microbial community dynamics on microplastics under diverse conditions. It contributes to the broader comprehension of plastisphere microbial ecosystems in the marine environment, thereby addressing critical environmental implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Fenglan Lu
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Chuangye Yang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
| | - Cheng Wang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yongshan Liao
- Pearl Research Institute, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Robert Mkuye
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yuewen Deng
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Marine Ecology Early Warning and Monitoring Laboratory, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
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9
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Jacquin J, Budinich M, Chaffron S, Barbe V, Lombard F, Pedrotti ML, Gorsky G, Ter Halle A, Bruzaud S, Kedzierski M, Ghiglione JF. Niche partitioning and plastisphere core microbiomes in the two most plastic polluted zones of the world ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:41118-41136. [PMID: 38844633 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33847-0] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Plastics are offering a new niche for microorganisms colonizing their surface, the so-called "plastisphere," in which diversity and community structure remain to be characterized and compared across ocean pelagic regions. Here, we compared the bacterial diversity of microorganisms living on plastic marine debris (PMD) and the surrounding free-living (FL) and organic particle-attached (PA) lifestyles sampled during the Tara expeditions in two of the most plastic polluted zones in the world ocean, i.e., the North Pacific gyre and the Mediterranean Sea. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis confirmed that PMD are a new anthropogenic ocean habitat for marine microbes at the ocean-basin-scale, with clear niche partitioning compared to FL and PA lifestyles. At an ocean-basin-scale, the composition of the plastisphere communities was mainly driven by environmental selection, rather than polymer types or dispersal effect. A plastisphere "core microbiome" could be identified, mainly dominated by Rhodobacteraceae and Cyanobacteria. Predicted functions indicated the dominance of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur metabolisms on PMD that open new questions on the role of the plastisphere in a large number of important ecological processes in the marine ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Jacquin
- UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 1 Avenue Fabre, 66650, Banyuls Sur Mer, France
| | - Marko Budinich
- Laboratoire Adaptation Et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Roscoff, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, Paris, France
| | - Samuel Chaffron
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, Paris, France
- École Centrale Nantes, CNRS, LS2N, UMR 6004, Nantes Université, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Valérie Barbe
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Fabien Lombard
- UMR 7076, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche Sur Mer, France
| | - Maria-Luiza Pedrotti
- UMR 7076, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche Sur Mer, France
| | - Gabriel Gorsky
- UMR 7076, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche Sur Mer, France
| | - Alexandra Ter Halle
- Laboratoire SOFMAT, CNRS, Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, UMR 5623, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Bruzaud
- UMR CNRS 6027, Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), Université de Bretagne-Sud, Lorient, France
| | - Mikaël Kedzierski
- UMR CNRS 6027, Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), Université de Bretagne-Sud, Lorient, France
| | - Jean-François Ghiglione
- UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 1 Avenue Fabre, 66650, Banyuls Sur Mer, France.
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, Paris, France.
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10
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Bocci V, Galafassi S, Levantesi C, Crognale S, Amalfitano S, Congestri R, Matturro B, Rossetti S, Di Pippo F. Freshwater plastisphere: a review on biodiversity, risks, and biodegradation potential with implications for the aquatic ecosystem health. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1395401. [PMID: 38699475 PMCID: PMC11064797 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1395401] [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: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The plastisphere, a unique microbial biofilm community colonizing plastic debris and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, has attracted increasing attention owing to its ecological and public health implications. This review consolidates current state of knowledge on freshwater plastisphere, focussing on its biodiversity, community assembly, and interactions with environmental factors. Current biomolecular approaches revealed a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa associated with plastic surfaces. Despite their ecological importance, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria and mobile genetic elements (i.e., antibiotic resistance genes) raises concerns for ecosystem and human health. However, the extent of these risks and their implications remain unclear. Advanced sequencing technologies are promising for elucidating the functions of plastisphere, particularly in plastic biodegradation processes. Overall, this review emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies to understand plastisphere dynamics in freshwater and to support effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on freshwater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Bocci
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Galafassi
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina Levantesi
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Congestri
- Laboratory of Biology of Algae, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Pippo
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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11
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Rzymski P, Gwenzi W, Poniedziałek B, Mangul S, Fal A. Climate warming, environmental degradation and pollution as drivers of antibiotic resistance. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123649. [PMID: 38402936 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge to public health, but human-caused environmental changes have not been widely recognized as its drivers. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the relationships between environmental degradation and antibiotic resistance, demonstrating that the former can potentially fuel the latter with significant public health outcomes. We describe that (i) global warming favors horizontal gene transfer, bacterial infections, the spread of drug-resistant pathogens due to water scarcity, and the release of resistance genes with wastewater; (ii) pesticide and metal pollution act as co-selectors of antibiotic resistance mechanisms; (iii) microplastics create conditions promoting and spreading antibiotic resistance and resistant bacteria; (iv) changes in land use, deforestation, and environmental pollution reduce microbial diversity, a natural barrier to antibiotic resistance spread. We argue that management of antibiotic resistance must integrate environmental goals, including mitigation of further increases in the Earth's surface temperature, better qualitative and quantitative protection of water resources, strengthening of sewage infrastructure and improving wastewater treatment, counteracting the microbial diversity loss, reduction of pesticide and metal emissions, and plastic use, and improving waste recycling. These actions should be accompanied by restricting antibiotic use only to clinically justified situations, developing novel treatments, and promoting prophylaxis. It is pivotal for health authorities and the medical community to adopt the protection of environmental quality as a part of public health measures, also in the context of antibiotic resistance management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Willis Gwenzi
- Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Marlborough, Harare, Zimbabwe; Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and Guest Professor, Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Universität Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany; Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and Guest Professor, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Barbara Poniedziałek
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Serghei Mangul
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrzej Fal
- Department of Allergy, Lung Diseases and Internal Medicine Central Clinical Hospital, Ministry of Interior, Warsaw, Poland; Collegium Medicum, Warsaw Faculty of Medicine, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Vass M, Ramasamy KP, Andersson A. Microbial hitchhikers on microplastics: The exchange of aquatic microbes across distinct aquatic habitats. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16618. [PMID: 38561820 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have the potential to modify aquatic microbial communities and distribute microorganisms, including pathogens. This poses a potential risk to aquatic life and human health. Despite this, the fate of 'hitchhiking' microbes on MPs that traverse different aquatic habitats remains largely unknown. To address this, we conducted a 50-day microcosm experiment, manipulating estuarine conditions to study the exchange of bacteria and microeukaryotes between river, sea and plastisphere using a long-read metabarcoding approach. Our findings revealed a significant increase in bacteria on the plastisphere, including Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Hyphomonas, Brevundimonas, Aquabacterium and Thalassolituus, all of which are known for their pollutant degradation capabilities, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. We also observed a strong association of plastic-degrading fungi (i.e., Cladosporium and Plectosphaerella) and early-diverging fungi (Cryptomycota, also known as Rozellomycota) with the plastisphere. Sea MPs were primarily colonised by fungi (70%), with a small proportion of river-transported microbes (1%-4%). The mere presence of MPs in seawater increased the relative abundance of planktonic fungi from 2% to 25%, suggesting significant exchanges between planktonic and plastisphere communities. Using microbial source tracking, we discovered that MPs only dispersed 3.5% and 5.5% of river bacterial and microeukaryotic communities into the sea, respectively. Hence, although MPs select and facilitate the dispersal of ecologically significant microorganisms, drastic compositional changes across distinct aquatic habitats are unlikely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Vass
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kesava Priyan Ramasamy
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Agneta Andersson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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13
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Ye J, Zhu Y, Chen H, Tang J, Zhao X, Sun X, Zhang J, Chen Y, Guo Y, Fang N, Tan Y, Zhang T. Land use, stratified wastewater and sediment, and microplastic attribute factors jointly influence the microplastic prevalence and bacterial colonization patterns in sewer habitats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170653. [PMID: 38331294 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The capacity of microplastics to harbor and propagate bacteria has been the focus of attention over the last decade. Such microplastic-supported bacterial colonization behavior in the municipal sewer system could be a critical ecological link influencing the biogeochemical activities and risks in receiving waters in urban areas, given the alarming microplastic loads discharged there. This study conducted a large-scale survey covering a wide range of residential and industrial catchments in Shanghai, China. We aimed to assess the microplastic prevalence and bacterial colonization patterns in different sewer habitats and to explore the role of land use, stratified wastewater and sediment, and microplastic attributes in shaping the patterns. We found that the sewer system formed a temporal but pronounced microplastic pool, with land use playing a significant role in the variability of microplastic prevalence. Industrial sewers contained a high abundance of microplastics with large particle sizes, diverse polymer compositions, and shapes. However, while there was a spatial discrepancy between urban and suburban areas in the abundance of microplastics in residential sewers, their predominant polymer and shape types were simple, i.e., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and fibers. Sewer habitat characteristics, particularly the stratified wastewater and sediment determined microbial colonization patterns. The latter acted as a long-term sink for microplastics and supported the high growth of colonizers. In contrast, the wastewater plastisphere presented novel niches, hosting communities with a marked proportion of unique bacterial genera after colonization. Besides, statistics showed a highly positive and dense co-occurrence network of the plastisphere communities, especially those from the industrial sewer sediment, with enhanced metabolic activity, cellular processes and systems, and increased human pathogenic potential. Findings indicated a coarse and uncertain effect of the selective pressure of microplastic attributes on plastisphere community structure differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Ye
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China.
| | - Jianfei Tang
- College of Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Shanghai Water Engineering Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200333, China
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- College of Environment, Hohai University, 210098, China
| | - Jinxu Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yali Guo
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Ning Fang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Yaqin Tan
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China
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14
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Sabatino R, Zullo R, Di Cesare A, Piscia R, Musazzi S, Corno G, Volta P, Galafassi S. Traditional and biodegradable plastics host distinct and potentially more hazardous microbes when compared to both natural materials and planktonic community. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133166. [PMID: 38101010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133166] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic particles are persistent micropollutants that provide a substrate for the growth of bacterial biofilms, posing a threat to the environment. This study explores the changes in commercially available food containers made of conventional (polypropylene PP, polyethylene terephthalate PET), innovative biodegradable (Mater-Bi) and natural (wood and cellulose) materials, when introduced in the surface waters of Lake Maggiore for 43 days. Spectral changes revealed by FT-IR spectroscopy in PET and Mater-Bi, and changes in thermal properties of all human-made material tested indicated a degradation process occurred during environmental exposure. Despite similar bacterial richness, biofilms on PET, PP, and Mater-Bi differed from natural material biofilms and the planktonic community. Human-made material communities showed a higher proportion of potential pathogens, with PET and PP also exhibiting increased abundances of antibiotic resistance genes. Overall, these findings stress the need for dedicated strategies to curb the spread of human-made polymers in freshwaters, including innovative materials that, due to their biodegradable properties, might be perceived less hazardous for the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Zullo
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy.
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Roberta Piscia
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy
| | - Simona Musazzi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Corno
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Pietro Volta
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy
| | - Silvia Galafassi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
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15
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Parida D, Katare K, Ganguly A, Chakraborty D, Konar O, Nogueira R, Bala K. Molecular docking and metagenomics assisted mitigation of microplastic pollution. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 351:141271. [PMID: 38262490 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141271] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics, tiny, flimsy, and direct progenitors of principal and subsidiary plastics, cause environmental degradation in aquatic and terrestrial entities. Contamination concerns include irrevocable impacts, potential cytotoxicity, and negative health effects on mortals. The detection, recovery, and degradation strategies of these pollutants in various biota and ecosystems, as well as their impact on plants, animals, and humans, have been a topic of significant interest. But the natural environment is infested with several types of plastics, all having different chemical makeup, structure, shape, and origin. Plastic trash acts as a substrate for microbial growth, creating biofilms on the plastisphere surface. This colonizing microbial diversity can be glimpsed with meta-genomics, a culture-independent approach. Owing to its comprehensive description of microbial communities, genealogical evidence on unconventional biocatalysts or enzymes, genomic correlations, evolutionary profile, and function, it is being touted as one of the promising tools in identifying novel enzymes for the degradation of polymers. Additionally, computational tools such as molecular docking can predict the binding of these novel enzymes to the polymer substrate, which can be validated through in vitro conditions for its environmentally feasible applications. This review mainly deals with the exploration of metagenomics along with computational tools to provide a clearer perspective into the microbial potential in the biodegradation of microplastics. The computational tools due to their polymathic nature will be quintessential in identifying the enzyme structure, binding affinities of the prospective enzymes to the substrates, and foretelling of degradation pathways involved which can be quite instrumental in the furtherance of the plastic degradation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Parida
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, 453552, India.
| | - Konica Katare
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, 453552, India.
| | - Atmaadeep Ganguly
- Department of Microbiology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, West Bengal State University, Kolkata, 700118, India.
| | - Disha Chakraborty
- Department of Botany, Shri Shikshayatan College, University of Calcutta, Lord Sinha Road, Kolkata, 700071, India.
| | - Oisi Konar
- Department of Botany, Shri Shikshayatan College, University of Calcutta, Lord Sinha Road, Kolkata, 700071, India.
| | - Regina Nogueira
- Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management, Leibniz Universität, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kiran Bala
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, 453552, India.
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16
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Hong JK, Lee TK, Kim I, Park S. Determinants of microbial colonization on microplastics through wastewater treatment processes: The role of polymer type and sequential treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:170072. [PMID: 38218474 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170072] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
This study examines the microbial colonization characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), focusing on polymer types (High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)) and various stages of wastewater treatments. Through individual and sequential deployment approaches, the research aimed to identify the determinants of bacterial colonization on MPs, whether they were introduced at each stage of treatment individually or in sequence from primary to tertiary stages. The study revealed that the stage of wastewater treatment profoundly influenced bacterial colonization on the polymer types MPs, with bacterial attachment being largely niche-specific. HDPE showed increased sensitivity to wastewater composition, leading to selective biofilm formation. For instance, in HDPE, Firmicutes accounted for 25.1 ± 0.04 % during primary treatment, while Alphaproteobacteria increased significantly in the tertiary treatment to 19.8 ± 0.1 %. Conversely, PET exhibited a stochastic pattern of bacterial colonization due to differences in surface hydrophilicity. Additionally, in sequential deployments, a notable shift towards stochastic bacterial attachment on MPs, particularly with HDPE was observed. The Shannon diversity values for MP biofilms were consistently higher than those for wastewater across all stages, with PET showing an increase in diversity in sequential deployments (Shannon diversity: 5.01 ± 0.03 for tertiary stage). These findings highlight the critical role of MPs as carriers of diverse bacteria, emphasizing the necessity for strategies to mitigate their impact in WWTPs. This study presents a significant advancement in our understanding of the interactions between MPs and microbial populations in WWTP environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Kyung Hong
- Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Kwon Lee
- Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilho Kim
- Department of Environmental research, Korea Institute of Civil engineering and building Technology (KICT), Gyeonggi-Do 10223, Republic of Korea; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Saerom Park
- Department of Environmental research, Korea Institute of Civil engineering and building Technology (KICT), Gyeonggi-Do 10223, Republic of Korea; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
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17
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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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18
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Song H, Xiao S, Zhou X, Li Y, Tao M, Wu F, Xu X. Temporal dynamics of bacterial colonization on five types of microplastics in a freshwater lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169697. [PMID: 38163614 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169697] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), as a new substrate, provide a unique niche for microbial colonization in the freshwater ecosystems; however, the impacts of long-term MP exposure on colonized bacteria are still unclear. In this study, five MP types were exposed in a freshwater lake for approximately one year, and the MP particles, together with the surrounding water, were collected on days 60, 150, 250 and 330 during the in situ field experiment. Bacteria on the MP surface, as well as free-living bacteria in the surrounding water, were analyzed to evaluate the temporal dynamics of these bacterial communities. Results show that all five MP types exhibited signs of degradation during the exposure process. Additionally, the alpha diversity, community structure and composition of MP-attached bacteria significantly differed from that of the free-living bacteria in the surrounding water, indicating that the five MP types could provide a preferable niche for bacterial colonization in a freshwater environment. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobiota, Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes were the top five dominant phyla. Some plastic-degrading bacteria included in these phyla were detected, verifying that MP-attached biofilms had a certain degree of MP degradation potential. Some potentially pathogenic bacteria were also detected, suggesting an ecological threat for spreading disease in the aquatic ecosystem. Furthermore, the bacterial community and some metabolic pathways were significantly affected by the MP type (P < 0.01) and exposure time (P < 0.01), indicating that the presence of MPs not only alters the bacterial community structure and composition, but also influences their potential functional properties in freshwater ecosystems. Multiple factors, including the physicochemical properties related to MPs and the environmental parameters of the surrounding water, affect the community composition and the function of MP-attached bacteria to different degrees. Our findings indicate that the presence of MPs has a potential ecological impact on freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiya Song
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Sisi Xiao
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
| | - Yanan Li
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Miaomiao Tao
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Fan Wu
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
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19
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Ugarelli K, Campbell JE, Rhoades OK, Munson CJ, Altieri AH, Douglass JG, Heck KL, Paul VJ, Barry SC, Christ L, Fourqurean JW, Frazer TK, Linhardt ST, Martin CW, McDonald AM, Main VA, Manuel SA, Marco-Méndez C, Reynolds LK, Rodriguez A, Rodriguez Bravo LM, Sawall Y, Smith K, Wied WL, Choi CJ, Stingl U. Microbiomes of Thalassia testudinum throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico are influenced by site and region while maintaining a core microbiome. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1357797. [PMID: 38463486 PMCID: PMC10920284 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1357797] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant microbiomes are known to serve several important functions for their host, and it is therefore important to understand their composition as well as the factors that may influence these microbial communities. The microbiome of Thalassia testudinum has only recently been explored, and studies to-date have primarily focused on characterizing the microbiome of plants in a single region. Here, we present the first characterization of the composition of the microbial communities of T. testudinum across a wide geographical range spanning three distinct regions with varying physicochemical conditions. We collected samples of leaves, roots, sediment, and water from six sites throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. We then analyzed these samples using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We found that site and region can influence the microbial communities of T. testudinum, while maintaining a plant-associated core microbiome. A comprehensive comparison of available microbial community data from T. testudinum studies determined a core microbiome composed of 14 ASVs that consisted mostly of the family Rhodobacteraceae. The most abundant genera in the microbial communities included organisms with possible plant-beneficial functions, like plant-growth promoting taxa, disease suppressing taxa, and nitrogen fixers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Ugarelli
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
| | - Justin E Campbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - O Kennedy Rhoades
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Calvin J Munson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Andrew H Altieri
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - James G Douglass
- The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, United States
| | - Kenneth L Heck
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island, AL, United States
| | - Valerie J Paul
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Savanna C Barry
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida, Cedar Key, FL, United States
| | | | - James W Fourqurean
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Thomas K Frazer
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Samantha T Linhardt
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island, AL, United States
| | - Charles W Martin
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island, AL, United States
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida, Cedar Key, FL, United States
| | - Ashley M McDonald
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida, Cedar Key, FL, United States
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Vivienne A Main
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
- International Field Studies, Inc., Andros, Bahamas
| | - Sarah A Manuel
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Bermuda, Hamilton Parish, Bermuda
| | - Candela Marco-Méndez
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island, AL, United States
- Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (Spanish National Research Council), Girona, Spain
| | - Laura K Reynolds
- Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alex Rodriguez
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island, AL, United States
| | | | - Yvonne Sawall
- Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), St. George's, Bermuda
| | - Khalil Smith
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Bermuda, Hamilton Parish, Bermuda
| | - William L Wied
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Chang Jae Choi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
| | - Ulrich Stingl
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
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20
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Wu Z, Sun J, Xu L, Zhou H, Cheng H, Chen Z, Wang Y, Yang J. Depth significantly affects plastisphere microbial evenness, assembly and co-occurrence pattern but not richness and composition. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132921. [PMID: 37944228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132921] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have become one of the hot concerns of global marine pollution. In recent years, diversity and abiotic influence factors of plastisphere microbial communities were well documented, but our knowledge of their assembly mechanisms and co-occurrence patterns remains unclear, especially the effects of depth on them. Here, we collected microorganisms on microplastics to investigate how ocean depth affects on microbial diversity, community composition, assembly processes and co-occurrence patterns. Our results indicated that there were similar microbial richness and community compositions but microbial evenness and unique microbes were obviously different in different ocean layers. Our findings also demonstrated that deterministic processes played dominant roles in the assembly of the mesopelagic plastisphere microbial communities, while the bathypelagic microbial community assembly was mainly shaped by stochastic processes. In addition, the co-occurrence networks suggested that the relationships between microorganisms in the mesopelagic layer were more complex and stable than those in the bathypelagic layer. Simultaneously, we also found that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota were the most abundant keystones which played important roles in microbial co-occurrence networks at both layers. This study enhanced our understanding of microbial diversity, assembly mechanism, and co-occurrence pattern on plastisphere surfaces, and provided useful insights into microorganisms capable of degrading plastics and microbial remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China
| | - Jianxing Sun
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China
| | - Liting Xu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China
| | - Hongbo Zhou
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China
| | - Haina Cheng
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhu Chen
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yuguang Wang
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Jichao Yang
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, Shandong, PR China.
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21
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Wang L, Chen M, Wu Y, Chen X, Jin H, Huang J. Spatial distribution and vertical characteristics of microplastics in the urban river: The case of Qinhuai River in Nanjing, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115973. [PMID: 38171161 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as global environmental pollutants, significantly influencing the safety of city rivers. This study investigated six sampling sites in the Qinhuai River of Nanjing, which explored the distribution and characteristics of MPs and the microbial structure in 2023. The studied river contained various levels of MPs with average concentrations of 667.68 items/L, whose abundance firstly decreased midstream and then increased downstream. The MPs abundance upstream was higher in surface water column, microplastics midstream and downstream accumulated more in deep water column. Black and blue are prevalent in the color distribution, while the polymers of PC, PP and PS changed with increasing depth, with a proportion of 74 % ∼ 97 % in the dominant shapes of granules. Furthermore, the water with higher MPs may stimulate the growth of MPs-related bacteria in sediments, including the genus of Pseudoxanthomonas and Dechloromonas. Our research will provide constructive support for enhancing urban river management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luming Wang
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Nanjing Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yufeng Wu
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Nanjing Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
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22
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Ye J, Zhu Y, Chen H, Zhao X, Tang J, Zhang J, Chen Y, Guo Y, Tan Y, Zhang T. High-throughput absolute quantification sequencing reveals the adaptive succession and assembly pattern of plastisphere communities in municipal sewer systems: Influence of environmental factors and microplastic polymer types. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123136. [PMID: 38092341 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123136] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Municipal sewer systems have received increasing attention due to the magnitude of the microplastic stock and its potential ecological impacts. However, as a critical aspect of the adverse impacts, little is known about the plastisphere that forms in these engineered environments. Using high-throughput absolute quantification sequencing, we conducted a systemic study combining field survey and laboratory batch test to explain the general plastisphere pattern and the role of environmental and polymeric factors in driving plastisphere succession and assembly there. We demonstrated the capacity of microplastics to support high levels of microbial colonization, increasing by 8.7-56.0 and 1.26-5.62 times at field and laboratory scales, respectively, despite the less diverse communities hosted in the resulting plastisphere. Sediment communities exhibited higher diversity but greater loss of specific operational taxonomic units in their plastisphere than in the wastewater. The former plastisphere had primarily an enhanced methanogenesis-oriented metabolic network linked to hydrolysis fermentation, hydrogen-producing acetogenesis, and denitrification, while the latter had a pronounced niche partitioning and competitive interaction network. Exogenous substrate flux and composition were key in stimulating plastisphere community growth and succession. Furthermore, the high nitrogen baseline facilitated alternative niche formation for plastisphere nitrifiers and denitrifiers, and the plastisphere pathogens associated with denitrification and plastic biodegradation functions increased significantly. The aerobic state also promoted a 1.71 times higher colonizer load and a denser interaction pattern than the anaerobic state. Selective filtering by polymers was evident: polyethylene supported higher plastisphere diversity than polypropylene. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms driving colonizer loads and the adaptive succession and assembly of the plastisphere in such a typically hydrodynamic and highly contaminated environment. The results help to fill the knowledge gap in understanding the potential role of microplastics in shaping the microecology of sewers and increasing health risks and substrate loss during sewer transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Ye
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing, 100038, China.
| | - Xin Zhao
- Shanghai Water Engineering Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200333, China
| | - Jianfei Tang
- School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai, 201209, China
| | - Jinxu Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yali Guo
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Yaqin Tan
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center for Eco-environmental Protection, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing, 100038, China
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23
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Maisto M, Ranauda MA, Zuzolo D, Tartaglia M, Postiglione A, Prigioniero A, Falzarano A, Scarano P, Castelvetro V, Corti A, Modugno F, La Nasa J, Biale G, Sciarrillo R, Guarino C. Effects of microplastics on microbial community dynamics in sediments from the Volturno River ecosystem, Italy. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140872. [PMID: 38056715 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140872] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the sources, abundance, and ecological implications of microplastic (MP) pollution in Volturno, one of the main rivers in southern Italy, were explored by investigating the MP concentration levels in sediments collected along the watercourse. The samples were sieved through 5- and 2-mm sieves and treated with selective organic solvents. The polymer classes polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), nylon 6 (PA6), and nylon 6,6 (PA66) were quantified using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, a 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis was performed using next-generation sequencing in Ion Torrent™ to explore the bacterial taxonomy and ecological dynamics of sediment samples. The MPs were detected in all samples collected from the study area. PP and PET were the most abundant and frequently detected polymer types in the analysed samples. The total MP concentration ranged from 1.05 to 14.55 ppm (parts per million), identifying two distinct data populations: high- and low-MP-contaminated sediments. According to the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), MP pollution was categorised as hazard levels III and IV (corresponding to the danger category). Metagenomic data revealed that the presence of MPs significantly affected the abundance of bacterial taxa; Flavobacteraceae and Nocardiaceae, which are known to degrade polymeric substances, were present in high-MP-contaminated sediments. This study provides new insights into the ecological relevance of MP pollution and suggests that microorganisms may serve as biomarkers of MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maisto
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Ranauda
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Daniela Zuzolo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy.
| | - Maria Tartaglia
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessia Postiglione
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Antonello Prigioniero
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessandra Falzarano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Scarano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Valter Castelvetro
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Corti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Modugno
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacopo La Nasa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Greta Biale
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosaria Sciarrillo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Carmine Guarino
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
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24
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Cheng J, Wang P, Ghiglione JF, Liu L, Cai Z, Zhou J, Zhu X. Bacterial pathogens associated with the plastisphere of surgical face masks and their dispersion potential in the coastal marine environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 462:132741. [PMID: 37827107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132741] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Huge numbers of face masks (FMs) were discharged into the ocean during the coronavirus pandemic. These polymer-based artificial surfaces can support the growth of specific bacterial assemblages, pathogens being of particular concern. However, the potential risks from FM-associated pathogens in the marine environment remain poorly understood. Here, FMs were deployed in coastal seawater for two months. PacBio circular consensus sequencing of the full-length 16S rRNA was used for pathogen identification, providing enhanced taxonomic resolution. Selective enrichment of putative pathogens (e.g., Ralstonia pickettii) was found on FMs, which provided a new niche for these pathogens rarely detected in the surrounding seawater or the stone controls. The total relative abundance of the putative pathogens in FMs was higher than in seawater but lower than in the stone controls. FM exposure during the two months resulted in 3% weight loss and the release of considerable amounts of microfibers. The ecological assembly process of the putative FM-associated pathogens was less impacted by the dispersal limitation, indicating that FM-derived microplastics can serve as vectors of most pathogens for their regional transport. Our results indicate a possible ecological risk of FMs for marine organisms or humans in the coastal and potentially in the open ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingguang Cheng
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Pu Wang
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Jean-François Ghiglione
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, Banyuls sur mer 66650, France
| | - Lu Liu
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Cai
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
| | - Xiaoshan Zhu
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, PR China.
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25
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Stevenson EM, Buckling A, Cole M, Lindeque PK, Murray AK. Selection for antimicrobial resistance in the plastisphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168234. [PMID: 37924893 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168234] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics and antimicrobials are widespread contaminants that threaten global systems and frequently co-exist in the presence of human or animal pathogens. Whilst the impact of each of these contaminants has been studied in isolation, the influence of this co-occurrence in driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR)1 in microplastic-adhered microbial communities, known as 'the Plastisphere', is not well understood. This review proposes the mechanisms by which interactions between antimicrobials and microplastics may drive selection for AMR in the Plastisphere. These include: 1) increased rates of horizontal gene transfer in the Plastisphere compared with free-living counterparts and natural substrate controls due to the proximity of cells, co-occurrence of environmental microplastics with AMR selective compounds and the sequestering of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in the biofilm matrix. 2) An elevated AMR selection pressure in the Plastisphere due to the adsorbing of AMR selective or co-selective compounds to microplastics at concentrations greater than those found in surrounding mediums and potentially those adsorbed to comparator particles. 3) AMR selection pressure may be further elevated in the Plastisphere due to the incorporation of antimicrobial or AMR co-selective chemicals in the plastic matrix during manufacture. Implications for both ecological functioning and environmental risk assessments are discussed, alongside recommendations for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Stevenson
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK; Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK; Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Angus Buckling
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Matthew Cole
- Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Penelope K Lindeque
- Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK; Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK.
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26
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Born MP, Junge LV, Brüll C, Waldschläger K, Schüttrumpf H. Terminal settling and rising velocity prediction of macroplastics: Medical face masks as newly emerged objects of concern. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:167922. [PMID: 37914107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167922] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of medical face masks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly increased plastic waste, with a considerable proportion of these masks ending up in the environment. As these masks are transported through wind and surface runoff, they accumulate in water bodies, leading to pollution and potential environmental risks. Understanding the transport behavior of these macroplastic items is crucial for addressing the pollution problem effectively. This study focuses on predicting the terminal settling and rising velocities of medical face masks, considering their unique shape and composition, aiding upcoming research with base data for, e.g., numerical transport simulations. Three different mask types, including surgical face masks, FFP2-standard face masks, and non-medical reusable face masks, were investigated in various shapes, and modified transport formulas that take into account the shape factor and sphere-equivalent radius of the masks to accurately predict their terminal settling and rising velocities were tested for applicability. The results reveal that the unique shapes of masks influence the terminal settling and rising velocity to a greater extent than their density difference to water. The absolute mean terminal velocities ranged from 0.05 to 0.3 m/s. Understanding the transport behavior of the studied face masks provides valuable insights for managing and mitigating the pollution caused by discarded face masks in water bodies and helps to develop effective strategies for environmental protection. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need for comprehensive laboratory studies to investigate the rising and settling velocities of common macroplastic items, as they are expected to vary in their hydrodynamic behavior significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian P Born
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management (IWW), RWTH-Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Straße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Lara-Victoria Junge
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management (IWW), RWTH-Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Straße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Catrina Brüll
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management (IWW), RWTH-Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Straße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Kryss Waldschläger
- Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Holger Schüttrumpf
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management (IWW), RWTH-Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Straße 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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27
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Jain R, Gaur A, Suravajhala R, Chauhan U, Pant M, Tripathi V, Pant G. Microplastic pollution: Understanding microbial degradation and strategies for pollutant reduction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167098. [PMID: 37717754 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with the potential for adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. These particles originate from the fragmentation of larger plastic items, shedding from synthetic fibers, tire abrasions, and direct release from personal care products and industrial processes. Once released into the environment, microplastics can disrupt ecosystems, accumulate in organisms, cause physical harm, and carry chemical pollutants that pose risks to both wildlife and human health. There is an urgent need to comprehensively explore the multifaceted issue of microplastic pollution and understand microbial degradation to reduce environmental pollution caused by microplastics. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of microplastics, including their types, composition, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as the journey and evolution of microplastic pollution. The impact of microplastics on the microbiome and microbial communities is elucidated, highlighting the intricate interactions between microplastics and microbial ecosystems. Furthermore, the microbial degradation of microplastics is discussed, including the identification, characterization, and culturing methods of microplastic-degrading microorganisms. Mechanisms of microplastic degradation and the involvement of microbial enzymes are elucidated to shed light on potential biotechnological applications. Strategies for reducing microplastic pollution are presented, encompassing policy recommendations and the importance of enhanced waste management practices. Finally, the paper addresses future challenges and prospects in the field, emphasizing the need for international collaboration, research advancements, and public engagement. Overall, this study underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate microplastic pollution and offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in environmental preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajul Jain
- Bioclues.org, India, Vivekananda Nagar, Kukatpally, 500072 Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
| | - Ashish Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Renuka Suravajhala
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Clappana, 690525, Kerala, India.
| | - Uttra Chauhan
- Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, India
| | - Manu Pant
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vishal Tripathi
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Gaurav Pant
- Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, India.
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28
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Di Pippo F, Bocci V, Amalfitano S, Crognale S, Levantesi C, Pietrelli L, Di Lisio V, Martinelli A, Rossetti S. Microbial colonization patterns and biodegradation of petrochemical and biodegradable plastics in lake waters: insights from a field experiment. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1290441. [PMID: 38125574 PMCID: PMC10731271 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1290441] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Once dispersed in water, plastic materials become promptly colonized by biofilm-forming microorganisms, commonly known as plastisphere. Methods By combining DNA sequencing and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), we investigated the plastisphere colonization patterns following exposure to natural lake waters (up to 77 days) of either petrochemical or biodegradable plastic materials (low density polyethylene - LDPE, polyethylene terephthalate - PET, polylactic acid - PLA, and the starch-based MaterBi® - Mb) in comparison to planktonic community composition. Chemical composition, water wettability, and morphology of plastic surfaces were evaluated, through Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and static contact angle analysis, to assess the possible effects of microbial colonization and biodegradation activity. Results and Discussion The phylogenetic composition of plastisphere and planktonic communities was notably different. Pioneering microbial colonisers, likely selected from lake waters, were found associated with all plastic materials, along with a core of more than 30 abundant bacterial families associated with all polymers. The different plastic materials, either derived from petrochemical hydrocarbons (i.e., LDPE and PET) or biodegradable (PLA and Mb), were used by opportunistic aquatic microorganisms as adhesion surfaces rather than carbon sources. The Mb-associated microorganisms (i.e. mostly members of the family Burkholderiaceae) were likely able to degrade the starch residues on the polymer surfaces, although the Mb matrix maintained its original chemical structure and morphology. Overall, our findings provide insights into the complex interactions between aquatic microorganisms and plastic materials found in lake waters, highlighting the importance of understanding the plastisphere dynamics to better manage the fate of plastic debris in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Pippo
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Bocci
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina Levantesi
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valerio Di Lisio
- Donostia International Physics Center, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal, San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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Jiang C, Almuhtaram H, McKie MJ, Andrews RC. Assessment of Biofilm Growth on Microplastics in Freshwaters Using a Passive Flow-Through System. TOXICS 2023; 11:987. [PMID: 38133388 PMCID: PMC10748376 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms that colonize on the surface of microplastics (MPs) in freshwaters may pose a potential health risk. This study examined factors that influence MP-associated biofilm growth, including polymer type, degree of weathering, and source water quality. Weathered MPs produced in-lab were employed in biofilm trials conducted on site using a passive flow-through system with raw water at drinking water treatment facility intakes. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was used to quantify biofilm abundance; biofilm composition was assessed via metagenomic sequencing. Biofilm growth was observed on all polymer types examined and most prevalent on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), where ATP levels were 6 to 12 times higher when compared to other polymers. Pathogen-containing species including Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli were present on all polymers with relative abundance up to 13.7%. S. enterica was selectively enriched on weathered MPs in specific water matrices. These findings support the need to research the potential accumulation of pathogenic organisms on microplastic surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Husein Almuhtaram
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
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Shan E, Zhang X, Li J, Sun C, Teng J, Hou C, Zhao J, Sun S, Wang Q. Alteration of microbial mediated carbon cycle and antibiotic resistance genes during plastisphere formation in coastal area. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140420. [PMID: 37838033 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140420] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms can attach on the surface of microplastics (MPs) through biological fouling process to form a diverse community called the "plastisphere", which has attracted extensive attention. Although the microbial structure and composition of biofilm have been studied, the knowledge of its microbial function and ecological risk is still limited. In this study, we investigated how the surface properties of MPs affect the biofilm communities and metabolic features under different environmental conditions, and explored the biofilm enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The results showed that the incubation time, habitat and MPs aging state significantly influenced the structure and composition of biofilm microbial communities, and a small amount of pathogens have been found in the MPs-attached biofilm. The microbial carbon utilization capacity of the biofilm in different incubation habitats varies greatly with highest metabolism capacity appear in the river. The utilization efficiency of different carbon sources is polymer > carbohydrate > amino acid > carboxylic acids > amine/amide, which indicates that the biofilm communities have selectivity between different types of carbon sources. More importantly, ARGs were detected in all the MPs samples and showed a trend of estuary > river > marine. The aged MPs can accumulate more ARGs than the virgin items. In general, MPs in the aquatic environment may become a carrier for pathogens and ARGs to spread to other environment, which may enhance their potential risks to the ecosystem and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Encui Shan
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Jiasen Li
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Chaofan Sun
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Jia Teng
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Chaowei Hou
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Jianmin Zhao
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Shan Sun
- Shandong Marine Resource and Environment Research Institute, Yantai, 264006, PR China.
| | - Qing Wang
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China; Muping Coastal Environment Research Station, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China.
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31
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Bos RP, Kaul D, Zettler ER, Hoffman JM, Dupont CL, Amaral-Zettler LA, Mincer TJ. Plastics select for distinct early colonizing microbial populations with reproducible traits across environmental gradients. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2761-2775. [PMID: 37132662 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about early plastic biofilm assemblage dynamics and successional changes over time. By incubating virgin microplastics along oceanic transects and comparing adhered microbial communities with those of naturally occurring plastic litter at the same locations, we constructed gene catalogues to contrast the metabolic differences between early and mature biofilm communities. Early colonization incubations were reproducibly dominated by Alteromonadaceae and harboured significantly higher proportions of genes associated with adhesion, biofilm formation, chemotaxis, hydrocarbon degradation and motility. Comparative genomic analyses among the Alteromonadaceae metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) highlighted the importance of the mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (MSHA) operon, recognized as a key factor for intestinal colonization, for early colonization of hydrophobic plastic surfaces. Synteny alignments of MSHA also demonstrated positive selection for mshA alleles across all MAGs, suggesting that mshA provides a competitive advantage for surface colonization and nutrient acquisition. Large-scale genomic characteristics of early colonizers varied little, despite environmental variability. Mature plastic biofilms were composed of predominantly Rhodobacteraceae and displayed significantly higher proportions of carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes and genes for photosynthesis and secondary metabolism. Our metagenomic analyses provide insight into early biofilm formation on plastics in the ocean and how early colonizers self-assemble, compared to mature, phylogenetically and metabolically diverse biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Bos
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Drishti Kaul
- Environmental Sustainability, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Erik R Zettler
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey M Hoffman
- Environmental Sustainability, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christopher L Dupont
- Environmental Sustainability, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Linda A Amaral-Zettler
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tracy J Mincer
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
- Department of Biology, Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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32
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Silva V, Pérez V, Gillanders BM. Short-term plastisphere colonization dynamics across six plastic types. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2732-2745. [PMID: 37341062 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution is a major concern worldwide, but the understanding of plastisphere dynamics remains limited in the southern hemisphere. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study in South Australia to investigate the prokaryotic community of the plastisphere and its temporal changes over 4 weeks. We submerged six plastic types (i.e., High-Density Polyethylene [HDPE], Polyvinyl chloride [PVC], Low-Density Polyethylene [LDPE], Polypropylene [PP], Polystyrene [PS] and the understudied textile, polyester [PET]) and wood in seawater and sampled them weekly to characterize the prokaryotic community using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Our results showed that the plastisphere composition shifted significantly over short time scales (i.e., 4 weeks), and each plastic type had distinct groups of unique genera. In particular, the PVC plastisphere was dominated by Cellvibrionaceae taxa, distinguishing it from other plastics. Additionally, the textile polyester, which is rarely studied in plastisphere research, supported the growth of a unique group of 25 prokaryotic genera (which included the potential pathogenic Legionella genus). Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the colonization dynamics of the plastisphere over short time scales and contributes to narrowing the research gap on the southern hemisphere plastisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinuri Silva
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vilma Pérez
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Bronwyn M Gillanders
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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33
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Dudek KL, Neuer S. Environmental exposure more than plastic composition shapes marine microplastic-associated bacterial communities in Pacific versus Caribbean field incubations. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2807-2821. [PMID: 37899673 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have arisen as a global threat to marine ecosystems. In this study, we explored the role that plastic polymer type, incubation time and geographic location have on shaping the microbial community adhered to the microplastics, termed the plastisphere. We performed detailed bacterial plastisphere community analyses on microplastics of six different household plastic polymers, serving as proxies of secondary microplastics, incubated for 6 weeks in coastal Pacific waters. These bacterial communities were compared to the plastisphere communities grown on identical microplastic particles incubated in the coastal Caribbean Sea at Bocas del Toro, Panama. Ribosomal gene sequencing analyses revealed that bacterial community composition did not exhibit a significant preference for plastic type at either site but was instead driven by the incubation time and geographic location. We identified a 'core plastisphere' composed of 57 amplicon sequence variants common to all plastic types, incubation times and locations, with possible synergies between taxa. This study contributes to our understanding of the importance of geography in addition to exposure time, in the composition of the plastisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassandra L Dudek
- School of Life Sciences and Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Susanne Neuer
- School of Life Sciences and Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- School of Ocean Futures, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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34
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Xie M, Lv M, Zhao Z, Li L, Jiang H, Yu Y, Zhang X, Liu P, Chen J. Plastisphere characterization in habitat of the highly endangered Shinisaurus crocodilurus: Bacterial composition, assembly, function and the comparison with surrounding environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165807. [PMID: 37506917 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165807] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Plastisphere is a new niche for microorganisms that complicate the ecological effects of plastics, and may profoundly influence biodiversity and habitat conservation. The DaGuishan National Nature Reserve, one of the largest habitats of the highly endangered crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), is experiencing plastic pollution without sufficient attention. Here, plastisphere collected from captive tanks of crocodile lizards in this nature reserve was characterized for the first time. Three types of plastic (PE-PP, PE1, and PE2) together with the surrounding water and soil samples, were collected, and 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to characterize the bacterial composition. The results demonstrated that plastisphere was driven by stochastic process and had a distinct bacterial community with higher diversity than that in surrounding water (p < 0.05). Bacteria related to nitrogen and carbon cycles (Pseudomonas psychrotolerans, Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum) were more abundant in plastisphere than in water or soil (p < 0.05). More importantly, plastics recruited pathogens and those bacteria function in antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) coding. Bacteria related to polymer degradation also proliferated in plastisphere, especially Bacillus subtilis with a fold change of 42.01. The PE2 plastisphere, which had the lowest diversity and was dominated by Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum differed from PE 1 and PE-PP plastispheres totally. Plastics' morphology and aquatic nutrient levels contributed to the heterogeneity of different plastispheres. Overall, this study demonstrated that plastispheres diversify in composition and function, affecting ecosystem services directly or indirectly. Pathogens and bacteria related to ARGs expression enriched in the plastisphere should not be ignored because they may threaten the health of crocodile lizards by increasing the risk of infection. Plastic pollution control should be included in conservation efforts for crocodile lizards. This study provides new insights into the potential impacts of plastisphere, which is important for ecological risk assessments of plastic pollution in the habitats of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujiao Xie
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Mei Lv
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Zhiwen Zhao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Haiying Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Yepin Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China.
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Karkanorachaki K, Syranidou E, Kalogerakis N. Extreme weather events as an important factor for the evolution of plastisphere but not for the degradation process. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 246:120687. [PMID: 37801984 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120687] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastics, with their negative effects on marine life and the human health, have been recently recognized as a new niche for the colonization and development of marine biofilms. Members of the colonizing communities could possess the potential for plastic biodegradation. Thus, there is an urgent need to characterize these complex and geographically variable communities and elucidate the functionalities. In this work, we characterize the fungal and bacterial colonizers of 5 types of plastic films (High Density Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene and Polyethylene Terepthalate) over the course of a 242-day incubation in the south-eastern Mediterranean and relate them to the chemical changes observed on the surface of the samples via ATR-FTIR. The 16s rRNA and ITS2 ribosomal regions of the plastisphere communities were sequenced on four time points (35, 152, 202 and 242 days). The selection of the time points was dictated by the occurrence of a severe storm which removed biological fouling from the surface of the samples and initiated a second colonization period. The bacterial communities, dominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, were the most variable and diverse. Fungal communities, characterized mainly by the presence of Ascomycota, were not significantly affected by the storm. Neither bacterial nor fungal community structure were related to the polymer type acting as substrate, while the surface of the plastic samples underwent weathering of oscillating degrees with time. This work examines the long-term development of Mediterranean epiplastic biofilms and is the first to examine how primary colonization influences the microbial community re-attachment and succession as a response to extreme weather events. Finally, it is one of the few studies to examine fungal communities, despite them containing putative plastic degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Karkanorachaki
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100, Chania, Greece
| | - Evdokia Syranidou
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100, Chania, Greece
| | - Nicolas Kalogerakis
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100, Chania, Greece; Institute of GeoEnergy, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, GR-73100, Chania, Greece.
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Zadjelovic V, Wright RJ, Borsetto C, Quartey J, Cairns TN, Langille MGI, Wellington EMH, Christie-Oleza JA. Microbial hitchhikers harbouring antimicrobial-resistance genes in the riverine plastisphere. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:225. [PMID: 37908022 PMCID: PMC10619285 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01662-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widespread nature of plastic pollution has given rise to wide scientific and social concern regarding the capacity of these materials to serve as vectors for pathogenic bacteria and reservoirs for Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARG). In- and ex-situ incubations were used to characterise the riverine plastisphere taxonomically and functionally in order to determine whether antibiotics within the water influenced the ARG profiles in these microbiomes and how these compared to those on natural surfaces such as wood and their planktonic counterparts. RESULTS We show that plastics support a taxonomically distinct microbiome containing potential pathogens and ARGs. While the plastisphere was similar to those biofilms that grew on wood, they were distinct from the surrounding water microbiome. Hence, whilst potential opportunistic pathogens (i.e. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas) and ARG subtypes (i.e. those that confer resistance to macrolides/lincosamides, rifamycin, sulfonamides, disinfecting agents and glycopeptides) were predominant in all surface-related microbiomes, especially on weathered plastics, a completely different set of potential pathogens (i.e. Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella and Streptococcus) and ARGs (i.e. aminoglycosides, tetracycline, aminocoumarin, fluoroquinolones, nitroimidazole, oxazolidinone and fosfomycin) dominated in the planktonic compartment. Our genome-centric analysis allowed the assembly of 215 Metagenome Assembled Genomes (MAGs), linking ARGs and other virulence-related genes to their host. Interestingly, a MAG belonging to Escherichia -that clearly predominated in water- harboured more ARGs and virulence factors than any other MAG, emphasising the potential virulent nature of these pathogenic-related groups. Finally, ex-situ incubations using environmentally-relevant concentrations of antibiotics increased the prevalence of their corresponding ARGs, but different riverine compartments -including plastispheres- were affected differently by each antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide insights into the capacity of the riverine plastisphere to harbour a distinct set of potentially pathogenic bacteria and function as a reservoir of ARGs. The environmental impact that plastics pose if they act as a reservoir for either pathogenic bacteria or ARGs is aggravated by the persistence of plastics in the environment due to their recalcitrance and buoyancy. Nevertheless, the high similarities with microbiomes growing on natural co-occurring materials and even more worrisome microbiome observed in the surrounding water highlights the urgent need to integrate the analysis of all environmental compartments when assessing risks and exposure to pathogens and ARGs in anthropogenically-impacted ecosystems. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinko Zadjelovic
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Present address: Centro de Bioinnovación de Antofagasta (CBIA), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, 1271155, Antofagasta, Chile.
| | - Robyn J Wright
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Chiara Borsetto
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jeannelle Quartey
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Tyler N Cairns
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Morgan G I Langille
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Joseph A Christie-Oleza
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122, Palma, Spain.
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Sodré FF, Arowojolu IM, Canela MC, Ferreira RS, Fernandes AN, Montagner CC, Vidal C, Dias MA, Abate G, da Silva LC, Grassi MT, Bertoldi C, Fadini PS, Urban RC, Ferraz GM, Schio NS, Waldman WR. How natural and anthropogenic factors should drive microplastic behavior and fate: The scenario of Brazilian urban freshwater. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139813. [PMID: 37586495 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Brazil maintains its position at the top of the global ranking of plastic producers, yet recycling efforts have been incipient. Recent data reveals an annual production of approximately 14 million tons of plastic waste, not accounting for the surge in the usage of plastic masks and related materials due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, what remains largely unreported is that over half of post-consumer plastic packaging in Brazil is managed without any monitoring, and it remains unclear how this will contribute to the occurrence of plastic waste and microplastics in Brazilian freshwaters. This scenario requires the consideration of several other crucial factors. Studies have been carried out mainly in marine and estuarine waters, while data on freshwaters are lacking. Brazil has continental dimensions and the highest water availability on the planet, yet the demand for water is greatest in regions with medium to low supply. Many densely populated Brazilian urban areas face chronic flood problems, possess inadequate levels of wastewater treatment, and display inadequate solid waste management practices. Consequently, urban freshwater with tropical characteristics in Brazil presents an intriguing scenario and is complementary to the most commonly studied marine environments. In this study, we explore the nuances of pollution in Brazilian urban freshwater and discuss how various parameters, such as organic matter, suspended solids, temperature, and pH, among others, influence the behavior of microplastics and their interactions with organic and inorganic contaminants. Furthermore, we address how microplastic conditions, such as biofouling, the type of plastic, or degradation level, may impact their behavior. By analyzing how these conditions change, we propose priority themes for investigating the occurrence of microplastics in Brazilian urban freshwater systems under different degrees of human impact. Ultimately, this study aims to establish a network dedicated to standardized monitoring of microplastic pollution in Brazilian urban freshwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando F Sodré
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | - Imisi M Arowojolu
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Maria C Canela
- Exact Sciences and Technology Center, State University of the North Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S Ferreira
- Exact Sciences and Technology Center, State University of the North Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andreia N Fernandes
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Cristiane Vidal
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana A Dias
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Abate
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Marco T Grassi
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Crislaine Bertoldi
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Chemistry Department, Federal University of Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Pedro S Fadini
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberta C Urban
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel M Ferraz
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Natalí S Schio
- Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Walter R Waldman
- Science and Technology Center for Sustainability, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
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Godinho O, Klimek D, Jackiewicz A, Guedes B, Almeida E, Calisto R, Vitorino IR, Santos JDN, González I, Lobo-da-Cunha A, Calusinska M, Quinteira S, Lage OM. Stieleria tagensis sp. nov., a novel member of the phylum Planctomycetota isolated from Tagus River in Portugal. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2023; 116:1209-1225. [PMID: 37737556 PMCID: PMC10541342 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-023-01877-2] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
A bacterial strain was isolated from a brackish water sample of Tagus river, Alcochete, Portugal and was designated TO1_6T. It forms light pink colonies on M13 medium supplemented with N-acetylglucosamine. Cells are pear-shaped to spherical, form rosettes and divide by budding. Strain TO1_6T presents a mesophilic and neutrophilic profile, with optimum growth at 20 to 25 °C and pH 7.0 to 7.5, and vitamin supplementation is not required to promote its growth. The genome of the novel isolate is 7.77 Mbp in size and has a DNA G + C content of 56.3%. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain is affiliated with the phylum Planctomycetota. Further taxonomic characterization using additional phylogenetic markers, namely rpoB gene sequence (encoding the β-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase), as well as Percentage of conserved proteins, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity, suggest the affiliation of strain TO1_6T to the genus Stieleria, a recently described taxon in the family Pirellulaceae, order Pirellulales and class Planctomycetia. Based on the genotypic, phylogenetic and physiological characterization, we here describe a new species represented by the type strain TO1_6T (= CECT 30432T, = LMG 32465T), for which the name Stieleria tagensis sp. nov. is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofélia Godinho
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Dominika Klimek
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Rue du Brill 41, 4422, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, FSTM, University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de l'Université, 4365, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Adrianna Jackiewicz
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Guedes
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Almeida
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Rita Calisto
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Inês Rosado Vitorino
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - José Diogo Neves Santos
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ignacio González
- Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, Fundación MEDINA, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, ICBAS, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Magdalena Calusinska
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Rue du Brill 41, 4422, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Sandra Quinteira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, nº 7, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL., Avenida Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116, Gandra, PRD, Portugal
| | - Olga Maria Lage
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Xu L, Li K, Zhang M, Guo J, Jia W, Bai X, Tian X, Huang Y. Plastic substrate and residual time of microplastics in the urban river shape the composition and structure of bacterial communities in plastisphere. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118710. [PMID: 37536136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The widespread secondary microplastics (MPs) in urban freshwater, originating from plastic wastes, have created a new habitat called plastisphere for microorganisms. The factors influencing the structure and ecological risks of the microbial community within the plastisphere are not yet fully understood. We conducted an in-site incubation experiment in an urban river, using MPs from garbage bags (GB), shopping bags (SB), and plastic bottles (PB). Bacterial communities in water and plastisphere incubated for 2 and 4 weeks were analyzed by 16S high-throughput sequencing. The results showed the bacterial composition of the plastisphere, especially the PB, exhibited enrichment of plastic-degrading and photoautotrophic taxa. Diversity declined in GB and PB but increased in SB plastisphere. Abundance analysis revealed distinct bacterial species that were enriched or depleted in each type of plastisphere. As the succession progressed, the differences in community structure was more pronounced, and the decline in the complexity of bacterial community within each plastisphere suggested increasing specialization. All the plastisphere exhibited elevated pathogenicity at the second or forth week, compared to bacterial communities related to natural particles. These findings highlighted the continually evolving plastisphere in urban rivers was influenced by the plastic substrates, and attention should be paid to fragile plastic wastes due to the rapidly increasing pathogenicity of the bacterial community attached to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Xu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kang Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Mengjun Zhang
- Peking University Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, China; PKU-HKUST Shenzhen-Hongkong Institution, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, China
| | - Jiabao Guo
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Weiqian Jia
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xinyi Bai
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xudong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control of Zhejiang, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou, 310012, China.
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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40
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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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Zhong H, Wu M, Sonne C, Lam SS, Kwong RW, Jiang Y, Zhao X, Sun X, Zhang X, Li C, Li Y, Qu G, Jiang F, Shi H, Ji R, Ren H. The hidden risk of microplastic-associated pathogens in aquatic environments. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2023; 2:142-151. [PMID: 38074987 PMCID: PMC10702891 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Increasing studies of plastisphere have raised public concern about microplastics (MPs) as vectors for pathogens, especially in aquatic environments. However, the extent to which pathogens affect human health through MPs remains unclear, as controversies persist regarding the distinct pathogen colonization on MPs as well as the transmission routes and infection probability of MP-associated pathogens from water to humans. In this review, we critically discuss whether and how pathogens approach humans via MPs, shedding light on the potential health risks involved. Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, we show that some MPs may facilitate the growth and long-range transmission of specific pathogens in aquatic environments, ultimately increasing the risk of infection in humans. We identify MP- and pathogen-rich settings, such as wastewater treatment plants, aquaculture farms, and swimming pools, as possible sites for human exposure to MP-associated pathogens. This review emphasizes the need for further research and targeted interventions to better understand and mitigate the potential health risks associated with MP-mediated pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Raymond W.M. Kwong
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Yuelu Jiang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xuemei Sun
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xuxiang Zhang
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chengjun Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Rong Ji
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
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42
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Xiao S, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Li J, Dai W, Pang K, Liu Y, Wu R. Bacterial community succession and the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in an oyster farm. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115402. [PMID: 37611336 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics can be colonized by microorganisms and form plastisphere. However, knowledge of bacterial community succession and the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens on microplastics in aquaculture environments is limited. Here, we conducted a 30-day continuous exposure experiment at an oyster farm. Results showed that the alpha-diversity of communities on most microplastics continuously increased and was higher than in planktonic communities after 14 days. Microplastics could selectively enrich certain bacteria from water which can live a sessile lifestyle and promote colonization by other bacteria. The composition and function of plastisphere communities were distinct from those in the surrounding water and influenced by polymer type and exposure time. Microplastics can enrich ARGs (sul1, qnrS and blaTEM) and harbor potential pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Therefore, microplastic pollution may pose a critical threat to aquaculture ecosystems and human health. Our study provides further insight into the ecological risks of microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Xiao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Environment and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, PR China
| | - Yang Zhang
- The key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510530, PR China
| | - Yongjie Wu
- The key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510530, PR China
| | - Jincai Li
- The key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510530, PR China
| | - Weijie Dai
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Kuo Pang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Environment and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, PR China,.
| | - Renren Wu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Environment and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, PR China,; The key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510530, PR China,.
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43
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Kumar M, Chaudhary DR, Jha B. Surface-associated bacterial assemblages on marine anthropogenic litter in the intertidal zone of the Arabian Sea, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115211. [PMID: 37392592 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic marine litter (mainly plastic pollution) is a serious concern globally. The interactions between terrestrial and marine ecosystems lead to the accumulation of marine litter in the intertidal zone. The biofilm-forming bacteria tend to colonize on surfaces of marine litter which are composed of diverse bacteria and are less studied. The present study investigated the bacterial community composition using both culturable and non-culturable (Next-generation sequencing (NGS)) approaches associated with the marine litter (polyethylene (PE), styrofoam (SF) and fabric (FB)) at three distinct locations (Alang, Diu and Sikka) of the Arabian Sea, Gujarat, India. Predominant bacteria observed using culturable and NGS techniques belonged to Proteobacteria phyla. Alphaproteobacteria class dominated on polyethylene and styrofoam surfaces in the culturable fraction among the sites while the Bacillus dominated fabric surfaces. In the metagenomics fraction, Gammaproteobacteria dominated the surfaces except for PE and SF surfaces from Sikka and Diu, respectively. The PE surface at Sikka was dominated by Fusobacteriia while SF surface from Diu was dominated by Alphaproteobacteria. Both culture-dependent and NGS approaches identified hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria as well as pathogenic bacteria on the surfaces. The outcome of the present study illustrates diverse bacterial assemblages which occur on marine litter and increases our understanding of the plastisphere community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhav Kumar
- CSIR - Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364002, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Doongar R Chaudhary
- CSIR - Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364002, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Bhavanath Jha
- CSIR - Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364002, India.
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Wang T, Yang C, Wang C, Liao Y, Mkuye R, Deng Y. Bacterial community profiling associated with pearl culture facilities of Liusha Bay, the largest marine pearl culture base on the western Guangdong coast, South China. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 189:106063. [PMID: 37385086 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
A large number of aquaculture facilities produced during the farming process are made of plastics. These plastics can be a distinct habitat for bacteria due to their unique materials. Therefore, this paper focuses on plastic aquaculture facilities and investigates the impact of bacterial accumulation on plastic surfaces. In this study, the high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was conducted to investigate bacterial community profiling associated with the pearl culture facilities (cultured net cages and foam buoys) and surrounding water of Liusha Bay. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the richness and diversity indexes of bacterial communities in pearl culture facilities were higher than those in the aquatic environment. The richness and diversity indexes of bacterial communities were different between cultured net cages and foam buoys. Spatially influenced bacterial communities attached to pearl culture facilities varied between aquaculture areas. Thus, plastic has become a habitat for bacteria, floating in the marine environment and providing a favorable living environment for marine microorganisms and specific preferences for different substrate types. The relative abundance of certain functions on the attached bacterial community of the culture facility was high, which suggested that plastics did not only alter community structure but also influenced bacterial function. In addition, we detected small amounts of pathogenic bacteria, such as Vibrio and Bruegeria, in pearl culture facilities and surrounding seawater, suggesting that plastics can act as vectors for potentially pathogenic bacteria that may have an impact on the development of aquaculture. Our understanding of plastic ecology has been enriched by the discovery of the various microbial assemblages that can occur in aquaculture facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Chuangye Yang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
| | - Cheng Wang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yongshan Liao
- Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Robert Mkuye
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yuewen Deng
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Marine Ecology Early Warning and Monitoring Laboratory, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
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45
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Jeong G, Kim HJ, Kim KE, Kim YJ, Lee TK, Shim WJ, Jung SW. Selective attachment of prokaryotes and emergence of potentially pathogenic prokaryotes on four plastic surfaces: Adhesion study in a natural marine environment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115149. [PMID: 37336046 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
This study employed 16S rRNA metabarcoding to establish the diversity of prokaryotic communities and specific characteristics of potentially pathogenic prokaryotic primary colonizers of four plastic materials (EPS, expanded polystyrene; PE, polyethylene; PP, polypropylene; and PET, polyethylene terephthalate). Bacteria inhabiting plastic and seawater differ; thus, distinct changes in the attached prokaryotic community were observed over an exposure time of 21 days, specifically on Days 3, 6, 9, and 12-21. Frist colonizers were Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria; Bacilli and Clostridia represented secondary colonizers. On Day 3, Pseudoalteromonas had a relative abundance >80 %; whereas, the prevalence of Vibrio spp. (potentially pathogenic prokaryotes) increased rapidly on Days 6 and 9. However, after Day 12, the prevalence of other potential pathogens, namely, Clostridium spp., steadily increased. Despite the diversity of the plastic surfaces, attached prokaryotes changed over time instead of showing similar adherent diversity in all plastic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaeul Jeong
- Library of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jung Kim
- Library of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Eun Kim
- Library of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Kim
- Library of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Taek-Kyun Lee
- Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Risk Assessment Research Centre, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Joon Shim
- Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Risk Assessment Research Centre, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Won Jung
- Library of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
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Marín A, Feijoo P, de Llanos R, Carbonetto B, González-Torres P, Tena-Medialdea J, García-March JR, Gámez-Pérez J, Cabedo L. Microbiological Characterization of the Biofilms Colonizing Bioplastics in Natural Marine Conditions: A Comparison between PHBV and PLA. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1461. [PMID: 37374962 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable polymers offer a potential solution to marine pollution caused by plastic waste. The marine biofilms that formed on the surfaces of poly(lactide acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were studied. Bioplastics were exposed for 6 months to marine conditions in the Mediterranean Sea, and the biofilms that formed on their surfaces were assessed. The presence of specific PLA and PHBV degraders was also studied. PHBV showed extensive areas with microbial accumulations and this led to higher microbial surface densities than PLA (4.75 vs. 5.16 log CFU/cm2). Both polymers' surfaces showed a wide variety of microbial structures, including bacteria, fungi, unicellular algae and choanoflagellates. A high bacterial diversity was observed, with differences between the two polymers, particularly at the phylum level, with over 70% of bacteria affiliated to three phyla. Differences in metagenome functions were also detected, revealing a higher presence of proteins involved in PHBV biodegradation in PHBV biofilms. Four bacterial isolates belonging to the Proteobacteria class were identified as PHBV degraders, demonstrating the presence of species involved in the biodegradation of this polymer in seawater. No PLA degraders were detected, confirming its low biodegradability in marine environments. This was a pilot study to establish a baseline for further studies aimed at comprehending the marine biodegradation of biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Marín
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Patricia Feijoo
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Rosa de Llanos
- MicroBIO, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Belén Carbonetto
- Microomics Systems S.L., IIB Sant Pau, C/Sant Quintí, 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José Tena-Medialdea
- IMEDMAR-UCV Institute of Environment and Marine Science Research, Universidad Católica de Valencia, Av. del Port, 15, 03710 Calpe, Spain
| | - José R García-March
- IMEDMAR-UCV Institute of Environment and Marine Science Research, Universidad Católica de Valencia, Av. del Port, 15, 03710 Calpe, Spain
| | - José Gámez-Pérez
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Luis Cabedo
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana, 12071 Castelló, Spain
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Sérvulo T, Taylor JD, Proietti MC, Rodrigues LDS, Puertas IP, Barutot RA, Lacerda ALDF. Plastisphere composition in a subtropical estuary: Influence of season, incubation time and polymer type on plastic biofouling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121873. [PMID: 37244532 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are abundant artificial substrates in aquatic systems that host a wide variety of organisms (the plastisphere), including potential pathogens and invasive species. Plastisphere communities have many complex, but not well-understood ecological interactions. It is pivotal to investigate how these communities are influenced by the natural fluctuations in aquatic ecosystems, especially in transitional environments such as estuaries. Further study is needed in sub-tropical regions in the Southern Hemisphere, where plastic pollution is ever increasing. Here we applied DNA-metabarcoding (16S, 18S and ITS-2) as well Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to assess the diversity of the plastisphere in the Patos Lagoon estuary (PLE), South Brazil. Through a one-year in situ colonization experiment, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plates were placed in shallow waters, and sampled after 30 and 90 days within each season. Over 50 taxa including bacteria, fungi and other eukaryotes were found through DNA analysis. Overall, the polymer type did not influence the plastisphere community composition. However, seasonality significantly affected community composition for bacteria, fungi and general eukaryotes. Among the microbiota, we found Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus sp., and Wallemia mellicola that are putative pathogens of aquatic organisms, such as algae, shrimp and fish, including commercial species. In addition, we identified organisms within genera that can potentially degrade hydrocarbons (e.g. Pseudomonas and Cladosporium spp). This study is the first to assess the full diversity and variation of the plastisphere on different polymers within a sub-tropical southern hemisphere estuary, significantly expanding knowledge on plastic pollution and the plastisphere in estuarine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Sérvulo
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil.
| | - Joe D Taylor
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
| | - Maíra C Proietti
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Lucas D S Rodrigues
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Igor P Puertas
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Roberta A Barutot
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Ana L D F Lacerda
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
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48
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Segaran TC, Azra MN, Lananan F, Wang Y. Microbe, climate change and marine environment: Linking trends and research hotspots. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023:106015. [PMID: 37291004 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbes, or microorganisms, have been the foundation of the biosphere for over 3 billion years and have played an essential role in shaping our planet. The available knowledge on the topic of microbes associated with climate change has the potential to reshape upcoming research trends globally. As climate change impacts the ocean or marine ecosystem, the responses of these "unseen life" will heavily influence the achievement of a sustainable evolutionary environment. The present study aims to identify microbial-related research under changing climate within the marine environment through the mapping of visualized graphs of the available literature. We used scientometric methods to retrieve documents from the Web of Science platform in the Core Collection (WOSCC) database, analyzing a total of 2767 documents based on scientometric indicators. Our findings show that this research area is growing exponentially, with the most influential keywords being "microbial diversity," "bacteria," and "ocean acidification," and the most cited being "microorganism" and "diversity." The identification of influential clusters in the field of marine science provides insight into the hot spots and frontiers of research in this area. Prominent clusters include "coral microbiome," "hypoxic zone," "novel Thermoplasmatota clade," "marine dinoflagellate bloom," and "human health." Analyzing emerging trends and transformative changes in this field can inform the creation of special issues or research topics in selected journals, thus increasing visibility and engagement among the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirukanthan Chandra Segaran
- Climate Change Adaptation Laboratory, Institute of Marine Biotechnology (IMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - Mohamad Nor Azra
- Climate Change Adaptation Laboratory, Institute of Marine Biotechnology (IMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Research Center for Marine and Land Bioindustry, Earth Sciences and Maritime Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Pemenang, West Nusa Tenggara, 83352, Indonesia.
| | - Fathurrahman Lananan
- East Coast Environmental Research Institute, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, 21300, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - Youji Wang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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Behera S, Das S. Environmental impacts of microplastic and role of plastisphere microbes in the biodegradation and upcycling of microplastic. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 334:138928. [PMID: 37211165 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Increasing usage of plastic has led to the deposition of plastic in the environment which later become microplastic, a pollutant of global concern. These polymeric particles affect the ecosystem bestowing toxicity and impede the biogeochemical cycles. Besides, microplastic particles have been known for their role in aggravating the effect of various other environmental pollutants including organic pollutants and heavy metals. These microplastic surfaces are often colonized by the microbial communities also known as "plastisphere microbes" forming biofilms. These microbes include cyanobacteria like Nostoc, Scytonema, etc., and diatoms like Navicula, Cyclotella, etc. Which become the primary colonizer. In addition to the autotrophic microbes, Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria dominate the plastisphere microbial community. These biofilm-forming microbes can efficiently degrade the microplastic in the environment by secreting various catabolic enzymes such as lipase, esterase, hydroxylase, etc. Besides, these microbes have shown great potential for the bioconversion of microplastic to polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), an energy efficient and sustainable alternative to the petroleum based plastics. Thus, these microbes can be used for the creation of a circular economy using waste to wealth strategy. This review provides a deeper insight into the distribution, transportation, transformation, and biodegradation of microplastic in the ecosystem. The formation of plastisphere by the biofilm-forming microbes has been described in the article. In addition, the microbial metabolic pathways and genetic regulations involved in the biodegradation have been discussed in detail. The article suggests the microbial bioremediation and upcycling of microplastic along with various other strategies for effectively mitigate the microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivananda Behera
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769 008, Odisha, India
| | - Surajit Das
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769 008, Odisha, India.
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50
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Gallitelli L, Cesarini G, Sodo A, Cera A, Scalici M. Life on bottles: Colonisation of macroplastics by freshwater biota. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162349. [PMID: 36813195 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While rivers are known to be the main vectors of plastics to the sea, it seems surprising that studies on interactions (e.g. colonisation/entrapment and drift) between macroplastics and biota continue to remain largely neglected, notwithstanding they represent unexpected threats to freshwater biota and riverine habitats. To fill these gaps, here we focused on the colonisation of plastic bottles by freshwater biota. To do so, we collected 100 plastic bottles from the River Tiber in summer 2021. Overall, 95 bottles were colonised externally and 23 internally. Specifically, biota mainly occurred within and outside the bottles rather than plastic pieces and organic debris. Moreover, while bottles were externally covered mainly by vegetal organisms (i.e. macrophytes), they internally entrapped more animal organisms (i.e. invertebrates). The taxa most occurring within and outside the bottles belonged to pool and low water quality-associated taxa (e.g. Lemna sp., Gastropoda, and Diptera). In addition to biota and organic debris, plastic particles also occurred on bottles reporting the first observation of 'metaplastics' (i.e. plastics encrusted on bottles). Furthermore, we observed a significant positive correlation between the colonising taxa abundance and the bottle degree degradation. In this regard, we discussed how bottle buoyancy may change due to the organic matter on the bottle, affecting bottle sinking and transport along rivers. Our findings might be crucial for understanding the underrepresented topic of riverine plastics and their colonisation by biota, given that these plastics may act as vectors and cause biogeographical, environmental, and conservation issues to freshwater habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - G Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - A Sodo
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - A Cera
- Institute of Freshwater Biology, Nagano University, 1088 Komaki, Ueda, Nagano 386-0031, Japan
| | - M Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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