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Abelouah MR, Idbella M, Nouj N, Ben-Haddad M, Hajji S, Ouheddou M, Ourouh J, Iacomino G, El Haouti R, Barra I, Oualid JA, Bonanomi G, Banni M, Alla AA. Marine plastic exposure triggers rapid recruitment of plastic-degrading bacteria and accelerates polymer-specific transformations. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2025; 490:137724. [PMID: 40037197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137724] [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: 12/12/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2025] [Accepted: 02/22/2025] [Indexed: 03/06/2025]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in marine ecosystems is a growing concern, yet the degradation behavior of different plastic types and their interactions with microbial communities remain poorly understood. This study investigated the degradation kinetics and microbial colonization of four widely used plastic materials, surgical masks (most made of PP), PET bottles, PS foam, and PP cups, over 40 days of seawater exposure in the Central Atlantic of Morocco. Mass loss measurement revealed distinct degradation patterns, with PS foam showing the highest mass loss (13 %), followed by PET bottles (5 %), likely due to environmental stressors that promote mechanical fragmentation. Surgical masks and PP cups exhibited minimal degradation, retaining nearly all their original mass, as well as limited extent of biodegradation. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses showed the formation of oxidative functional groups on PP cups and significant structural changes in PS foam and PET, particularly in their crystalline structures, correlating with their higher mass reduction rates. SEM/EDX biofilm imaging confirmed extensive microbial colonization, particularly on PS and PET surfaces. Using 16S rRNA metabarcoding, we identified a striking enrichment of Exiguobacterium, followed by Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Bacillus genera, containing reported plastic degrading strains, which were strongly correlated with the accelerated breakdown of plastics. However, its role in accelerating plastic breakdown in this study remains unclear and may warrant further investigation. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a progressive shift in microbial community structure, evolving from highly interconnected networks at day 0 to more specialized, modular clusters by day 40, dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) demonstrated significant heavy metal accumulation on plastic surfaces, potentially influencing microbial colonization and activity. While the observed fragmentation of PS foam and PET highlights the susceptibility of certain plastics to environmental stressors, this study also positions microbial colonization as a potential contributor to plastic surface changes, providing novel insights into the interplay between microbial communities and plastic degradation in marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco; Laboratory of Agrobio diversity and Ecotoxicology LR20AGR02, ISA, University of Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, ISBM, University of Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Mohamed Idbella
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, AgroBioSciences (AgBS) program, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
| | - Nisrine Nouj
- Institut National Thématique de Recherche Scientifique-Eau (INTR-Eau), Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco; Laboratory of Materials and Environment (LME), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Maryam Ouheddou
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Jamila Ourouh
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Giuseppina Iacomino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, NA 80055, Italy
| | - Rachid El Haouti
- Laboratory of Materials and Environment (LME), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Issam Barra
- Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Center of Excellence in Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa (CESFRA), AgroBioSciences (AgBS), Benguerir 43150, Morocco
| | - Jaouad Abou Oualid
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Giuliano Bonanomi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, NA 80055, Italy
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Agrobio diversity and Ecotoxicology LR20AGR02, ISA, University of Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, ISBM, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
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Wang H, Zhu Z, Zhang L, Liu X, Sun W, Yan F, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Wang X, Wei C, Lai J, Chen Q, Zhu D, Zhang Y. The hind information: Exploring the impact of physical damage on mask microbial composition in the aquatic environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116917. [PMID: 37611784 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Due to poor management and the lack of environmental awareness, lots of masks (an emerging form of plastic pollution) are discarded into the environment during the COVID-19, thereby jeopardizing the health of humans and the environment. Our study introduces a novel perspective by examining the impact of physical damage on the microbial composition of masks in the water environment. We focus on the variations in biofilm formation on each layer of both damaged and undamaged masks, which allows us to understand more about the biofilm on each layer and the significant changes that occur when masks are physically damaged. Research has shown that the community structure of microorganisms on discarded masks can be altered in just ten days, showing an evolution from undifferentiated pioneer colonizing species ("non-picky") to adaptive dominant species ("picky"). Especially, considering that discarded masks were inevitably damaged, we found that the biomass on the damaged samples is 1.62-2.38 times higher than that of the undamaged samples, respectively. Moreover, the microbial community structure on it was also significantly different. Genes involved in biogeochemical cycles of nutrients are more enriched in damaged masks. When damaged, the colonization process and community structure in the middle layer significantly differ from those in the inner and outer layers and even enrich more pathogenic bacteria. Based on the above, it is evident that the environmental risk of masks cannot be assessed as a whole, and the middle layer carries a higher risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Wang
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Zixian Zhu
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | - Ling Zhang
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, National Engineering Laboratory for Lake Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Weihong Sun
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Feifei Yan
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Yuxin Zhou
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Environment and Disaster Monitoring and Evaluation of Hubei Province, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430077, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Chunyan Wei
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Jie Lai
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Dong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo, 315830, PR China.
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China.
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Ma J, Chen F, Chen CC, Zhang Z, Zhong Z, Jiang H, Pu J, Li Y, Pan K. Comparison between discarded facemask and common plastic waste on microbial colonization and physiochemical properties during aging in seawater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131583. [PMID: 37201275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Facemasks are indispensable for preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, improper disposal of discarded facemasks has led to their contamination in the marine environment. To understand the environmental risk of this emerging plastic pollution, it's important to clarify the features that distinguish discarded facemasks from common plastic waste during aging. This study compared the microbial colonization, degradation-related enzymes, and physicochemical properties among surgical masks, polystyrene cups, polycarbonate bottles, and polyethylene terephthalate bottles in their aging processes in natural seawater. Compared to the other plastic wastes, surgical masks were colonized by the most diverse microorganisms, reaching 1521 unique prokaryotic OTUs after 21-day exposure in seawater. Moreover, the activity of eukaryotic enzymes associated with plastic degradation was 80-fold higher than that in seawater, indicating that the colonized eukaryotes would be the major microorganisms degrading the surgical masks. Meanwhile, the nano-sized defects (depth between 8 and 61 nm) would evolve into cracks of bigger sizes and result in the breakage of the microfibers and releasing microplastics into the ocean. Overall, our study demonstrated a distinctive plastisphere occurred in surgical masks from both microbial and physiochemical aspects. This work provides new insights for assessing the potential risk of plastic pollution caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengyuan Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Ciara Chun Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China; Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Zihan Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Junbao Pu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Yanping Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Pan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China.
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