1
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Vodopia D, Verones F, Askham C, Larsen RB. Retrieval operations of derelict fishing gears give insight on the impact on marine life. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116268. [PMID: 38492268 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116268] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), significantly impacts marine ecosystems and biodiversity by incidental capture known as ghost fishing. Such impacts were quantified during the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries' annual ALDFG cleanup operation in September 2023 by examining the characteristics of retrieved ALDFG and recording the taxonomically sorted catch abundance and biomass. A total of 307 specimens equaling 382 kg of biomass were caught in the recovered gillnets and king crab pots. Gillnets exhibited a 27.3 % greater catch abundance and 50.3 % higher biomass per ALDFG unit mass compared to king crab pots. Margalef, Menhinick, Simpson, Shannon, and Pielou diversity indices showed a more pronounced impact on species richness and biodiversity associated with recovered gillnets. This study introduces an approach to assess the impact of ghost fishing on ecosystems and biodiversity through ALDFG retrieval operations, instrumental in developing estimates of the total ghost fishing capture by ALDFG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Verones
- Industrial Ecology Programme, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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2
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Wang PY, Zhao ZY, Xiong XB, Wang N, Zhou R, Zhang ZM, Ding F, Hao M, Wang S, Ma Y, Uzamurera AG, Xiao KW, Khan A, Tao XP, Wang WY, Tao HY, Xiong YC. Microplastics affect soil bacterial community assembly more by their shapes rather than the concentrations. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120581. [PMID: 37703757 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene film mulching is a key technology for soil water retention in dryland agriculture, but the aging of the films can generate a large number of microplastics with different shapes. There exists a widespread misunderstanding that the concentrations of microplastics might be the determinant affecting the diversity and assembly of soil bacterial communities, rather than their shapes. Here, we examined the variations of soil bacteria community composition and functioning under two-year field incubation by four shapes (ball, fiber, fragment and powder) of microplastics along the concentration gradients (0.01%, 0.1% and 1%). Data showed that specific surface area of microplastics was significantly positively correlated with the variations of bacterial community abundance and diversity (r=0.505, p<0.05). The fragment- and fiber-shape microplastics displayed more pronounced interfacial continuity with soil particles and induced greater soil bacterial α-diversity, relative to the powder- and ball-shape ones. Strikingly, microplastic concentrations were not significantly correlated with bacterial community indices (r=0.079, p>0.05). Based on the variations of the βNTI, bacterial community assembly actually followed both stochastic and deterministic processes, and microplastic shapes significantly modified soil biogeochemical cycle and ecological functions. Therefore, the shapes of microplastics, rather than the concentration, significantly affected soil bacterial community assembly, in association with microplastic-soil-water interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ze-Ying Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Fan Ding
- College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Meng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Song Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yue Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Aimee Grace Uzamurera
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Kai-Wen Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Aziz Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Tao
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610095, China
| | - Wen-Ying Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810001, China
| | - Hong-Yan Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - You-Cai Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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3
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Alimi OS, Claveau-Mallet D, Lapointe M, Biu T, Liu L, Hernandez LM, Bayen S, Tufenkji N. Effects of weathering on the properties and fate of secondary microplastics from a polystyrene single-use cup. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:131855. [PMID: 37478596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we probed the changes to some physicochemical properties of polystyrene microplastics generated from a disposable cup as a result of UV-weathering, using a range of spectroscopy, microscopy, and profilometry techniques. Thereafter, we aimed to understand how these physicochemical changes affect the microplastic transport potential and contaminant sorption ability in model freshwaters. Exposure to UV led to measured changes in microplastic hydrophobicity (20-23 % decrease), density (3% increase), carbonyl index (up to 746 % increase), and microscale roughness (24-86 % increase). The settling velocity of the microplastics increased by 53 % after weathering which suggests that UV aging can increase microplastic deposition to sediments. This impact of aging was greater than the effect of the water temperature. Weathered microplastics exhibited reduced sorption capacity (up to 52 % decrease) to a model hydrophobic contaminant (triclosan) compared to unaged ones. The adsorption of triclosan to both microplastics was slightly reversible with notable desorption hysteresis. These combined effects of weathering could potentially increase the transport potential while decreasing the contaminant transport abilities of microplastics. This work provides new insights on the sorption capacity and mobility of a secondary microplastic, advances our knowledge about their risks in aquatic environments, and the need to use environmentally relevant microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olubukola S Alimi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C5 Canada; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1H9 Canada.
| | - Dominique Claveau-Mallet
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C5 Canada; Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mathieu Lapointe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C5 Canada; Department of Construction Engineering, École de technologie supérieure - University of Québec, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 1K3, Canada
| | - Thinh Biu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C5 Canada
| | - Lan Liu
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Montreal, Canada
| | - Laura M Hernandez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C5 Canada
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nathalie Tufenkji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C5 Canada
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4
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Pozzebon EA, Seifert L. Emerging environmental health risks associated with the land application of biosolids: a scoping review. Environ Health 2023; 22:57. [PMID: 37599358 PMCID: PMC10440945 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 40% of the six million dry metric tons of sewage sludge, often referred to as biosolids, produced annually in the United States is land applied. Biosolids serve as a sink for emerging pollutants which can be toxic and persist in the environment, yet their fate after land application and their impacts on human health have not been well studied. These gaps in our understanding are exacerbated by the absence of systematic monitoring programs and defined standards for human health protection. METHODS The purpose of this paper is to call critical attention to the knowledge gaps that currently exist regarding emerging pollutants in biosolids and to underscore the need for evidence-based testing standards and regulatory frameworks for human health protection when biosolids are land applied. A scoping review methodology was used to identify research conducted within the last decade, current regulatory standards, and government publications regarding emerging pollutants in land applied biosolids. RESULTS Current research indicates that persistent organic compounds, or emerging pollutants, found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products, microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the potential to contaminate ground and surface water, and the uptake of these substances from soil amended by the land application of biosolids can result in contamination of food sources. Advanced technologies to remove these contaminants from wastewater treatment plant influent, effluent, and biosolids destined for land application along with tools to detect and quantify emerging pollutants are critical for human health protection. CONCLUSIONS To address these current risks, there needs to be a significant investment in ongoing research and infrastructure support for advancements in wastewater treatment; expanded manufacture and use of sustainable products; increased public communication of the risks associated with overuse of pharmaceuticals and plastics; and development and implementation of regulations that are protective of health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Pozzebon
- California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, Cameron Park, CA, 95682-2017, USA
| | - Lars Seifert
- California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, Cameron Park, CA, 95682-2017, USA.
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5
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Li S, Yang Y, Yang S, Zheng H, Zheng Y, M J, Nagarajan D, Varjani S, Chang JS. Recent advances in biodegradation of emerging contaminants - microplastics (MPs): Feasibility, mechanism, and future prospects. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 331:138776. [PMID: 37100247 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have become an essential part of life. When it enters the environment, it migrates and breaks down to form smaller size fragments, which are called microplastics (MPs). Compared with plastics, MPs are detrimental to the environment and pose a severe threat to human health. Bioremediation is being recognized as the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective degradation technology for MPs, but knowledge about the biodegradation of MPs is limited. This review explores the various sources of MPs and their migration behavior in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Among the existing MPs removal technologies, biodegradation is considered to be the best removal strategy to alleviate MPs pollution. The biodegradation potential of MPs by bacteria, fungi and algae is discussed. Biodegradation mechanisms such as colonization, fragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization are presented. The effects of MPs characteristics, microbial activity, environmental factors and chemical reagents on biodegradation are analyzed. The susceptibility of microorganisms to MPs toxicity might lead to decreased degradation efficiency, which is also elaborated. The prospects and challenges of biodegradation technologies are discussed. Eliminating prospective bottlenecks is necessary to achieve large-scale bioremediation of MPs-polluted environment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the biodegradability of MPs, which is crucial for the prudent management of plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Yalun Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Heshan Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China.
| | - Yongjie Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Jun M
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Dillirani Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sunita Varjani
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan; Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan.
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6
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Vaksmaa A, Polerecky L, Dombrowski N, Kienhuis MVM, Posthuma I, Gerritse J, Boekhout T, Niemann H. Polyethylene degradation and assimilation by the marine yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:68. [PMID: 37423910 PMCID: PMC10330194 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00267-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Ocean plastic pollution is a severe environmental problem but most of the plastic that has been released to the ocean since the 1950s is unaccounted for. Although fungal degradation of marine plastics has been suggested as a potential sink mechanism, unambiguous proof of plastic degradation by marine fungi, or other microbes, is scarce. Here we applied stable isotope tracing assays with 13C-labeled polyethylene to measure biodegradation rates and to trace the incorporation of plastic-derived carbon into individual cells of the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, which we isolated from the marine environment. 13C accumulation in the CO2 pool during 5-day incubation experiments with R. mucilaginosa and UV-irradiated 13C-labeled polyethylene as a sole energy and carbon source translated to degradation rates of 3.8% yr-1 of the initially added substrate. Furthermore, nanoSIMS measurements revealed substantial incorporation of polyethylene-derived carbon into fungal biomass. Our results demonstrate the potential of R. mucilaginosa to mineralize and assimilate carbon from plastics and suggest that fungal plastic degradation may be an important sink for polyethylene litter in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Vaksmaa
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands.
| | - Lubos Polerecky
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nina Dombrowski
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel V M Kienhuis
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ilsa Posthuma
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Deltares, Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helge Niemann
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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7
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Huang S, Guo T, Feng Z, Li B, Cai Y, Ouyang D, Gustave W, Ying C, Zhang H. Polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics promote soil nitrification and alter the composition of key nitrogen functional bacterial groups. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 453:131391. [PMID: 37043864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131391] [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: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contamination in soils seriously threatens agroecosystems globally. However, very few studies have been done on the effects of MPs on the soil nitrogen cycle and related functional microorganisms. To assess MP's impact on the soil nitrogen cycle and related functional bacteria, we carried out a one-month soil incubation experiment using typical acidic soil. The soil was amended with alfalfa meal and was spiked with 1% and 5% (mass percentage) of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs. Our results showed that both LDPE and PVC addition significantly increased soil nitrification rate and nitrate reductase activity, which could further promote soil denitrification. The relative abundance of diazotrophs, ammonium oxidizing, and denitrifying bacterial groups were significantly altered with MPs addition. Moreover, the MPs treatments greatly enhanced denitrifying bacteria richness. Redundancy analysis showed that nitrate reductase activity was the most significant factor affecting the soil functional bacterial community. Correlation analysis shows that Nitrosospira genus might be for the improvement of soil nitrification rate. Our results implied that MPs exposure could significantly affect the soil nitrogen cycling in farmland ecosystems by influencing essential nitrogen functional microorganisms and related enzymatic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyin Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation, School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation, School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Zhen Feng
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Baochen Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation, School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Yimin Cai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation, School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Da Ouyang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation, School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Williamson Gustave
- School of Chemistry, Environmental & Life Sciences, University of The Bahamas, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
| | - Chengfei Ying
- School of Humanities and Law, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation, School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
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8
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Chigwada AD, Ogola HJO, Tekere M. Multivariate analysis of enriched landfill soil consortia provide insight on the community structural perturbation and functioning during low-density polyethylene degradation. Microbiol Res 2023; 274:127425. [PMID: 37348445 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Plastic-enriched sites like landfills have immense potential for discovery of microbial consortia that can efficiently degrade plastics. In this study, we used a combination of culture enrichment, high-throughput PacBio sequencing of 16 S rRNA and the ITS gene, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the compositional and diversity perturbations of bacterial and fungal consortia from landfill soils and their impact on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film biodegradation over a 90-day period. Results showed that enrichment cultures effectively utilized LDPE as a carbon source for cellular growth, resulting in significant weight reduction (22.4% and 55.6%) in the films. SEM analysis revealed marked changes in the micrometric surface characteristics (cracks, fissures, and erosion) and biofilm formation in LDPE films. FTIR analyses suggested structural and functional group modification related to C-H (2831-2943 cm⁻¹), and CH₂ (1400 cm⁻¹) stretching, CO and CC (680-950 cm⁻¹) scission, and CO incorporation (3320-3500 cm⁻¹) into the carbon backbone, indicative of LDPE polymer biodegradation. Enrichment cultures had lower diversity and richness of microbial taxa compared to soil samples, with LDPE as a carbon source having a direct influence on the structure and functioning of the microbial consortia. A total of 26 bacterial and 12 fungal OTU exhibiting high relative abundance and significant associations (IndVal > 0.7, q < 0.05) were identified in the enrichment culture. Bacterial taxa such as unclassified Parvibaculum FJ375498, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, unclassified Chitinophagaceae PAC002331, unclassified Paludisphaera and unclassified Comamonas JX898122, and six fungal species (Galactomyces candidus, Trichosporon chiropterorum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium chalabudae, Talaromyces thailandensis, and Penicillium citreosulfuratum) were identified as the putative LDPE degraders in the enrichment microbial consortium cultures. PICRUSt2 metagenomic functional profiling of taxonomic bacterial taxa abundances in both landfill soil and enrichment microbial consortia also revealed differential enrichment of energy production, stress tolerance, surface attachment and motility pathways, and xenobiotic degrading enzymes important for biofilm formation and hydrolytic/oxidative LDPE biodegradation. The findings shed light on the composition and structural changes in landfill soil microbial consortia during enrichment with LDPE as a carbon source and suggest novel LDPE-degrading bacterial and fungal taxa that could be explored for management of polyethylene pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Dickson Chigwada
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
| | - Henry Joseph Oduor Ogola
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
| | - Memory Tekere
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa.
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9
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Lampitt RS, Fletcher S, Cole M, Kloker A, Krause S, O'Hara F, Ryde P, Saha M, Voronkova A, Whyle A. Stakeholder alliances are essential to reduce the scourge of plastic pollution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2849. [PMID: 37217481 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38613-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Lampitt
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, SO14 3ZH, Southampton, UK.
| | - Stephen Fletcher
- School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2UP, UK
| | - Matthew Cole
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Alice Kloker
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, SO14 3ZH, Southampton, UK
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, LEHNA, 3 Rue M. Audin, 69518, Vaulx-en-Velin, Cedex, France
| | - Fran O'Hara
- Scarlet Design Int. Ltd., 3 Thistle Way, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2BU, UK
| | - Peter Ryde
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, SO14 3ZH, Southampton, UK
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, 403 004, India
| | | | - Adrian Whyle
- School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2UP, UK
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10
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Tuvo B, Scarpaci M, Bracaloni S, Esposito E, Costa AL, Ioppolo M, Casini B. Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance: The Magnitude of the Problem and the Emerging Role of Hospital Wastewater. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105868. [PMID: 37239594 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The role of microplastics (MPs) in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasingly attracting global research attention due to their unique ecological and environmental effects. The ubiquitous use of plastics and their release into the environment by anthropic/industrial activities are the main sources for MP contamination, especially of water bodies. Because of their physical and chemical characteristics, MPs represent an ideal substrate for microbial colonization and formation of biofilm, where horizontal gene transfer is facilitated. In addition, the widespread and often injudicious use of antibiotics in various human activities leads to their release into the environment, mainly through wastewater. For these reasons, wastewater treatment plants, in particular hospital plants, are considered hotspots for the selection of ARGs and their diffusion in the environment. As a result, the interaction of MPs with drug-resistant bacteria and ARGs make them vectors for the transport and spread of ARGs and harmful microorganisms. Microplastic-associated antimicrobial resistance is an emerging threat to the environment and consequently for human health. More studies are required to better understand the interaction of these pollutants with the environment as well as to identify effective management systems to reduce the related risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Tuvo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Scarpaci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Bracaloni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrica Esposito
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Costa
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Ioppolo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Casini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Bouchet VMP, Seuront L, Tsujimoto A, Richirt J, Frontalini F, Tsuchiya M, Matsuba M, Nomaki H. Foraminifera and plastic pollution: Knowledge gaps and research opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 324:121365. [PMID: 36858101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastic has become one of the most ubiquitous and environmentally threatening sources of pollution in the Anthropocene. Beyond the conspicuous visual impact and physical damages, plastics both carry and release a cocktail of harmful chemicals, such as monomers, additives and persistent organic pollutants. Here we show through a review of the scientific literature dealing with both plastic pollution and benthic foraminifera (Rhizaria), that despite their critical roles in the structure and function of benthic ecosystems, only 0.4% of studies have investigated the effects of micro- and nano-plastics on this group. Consequently, we urge to consider benthic foraminifera in plastic pollution studies via a tentative roadmap that includes (i) the use of their biological, physiological and behavioral responses that may unveil the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics and (ii) the evaluation of the indicative value of foraminiferal species to serve as proxies for the degree of pollution. This appears particularly timely in the context of the development of management strategies to restore coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M P Bouchet
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, Station Marine de Wimereux, 59000, Lille, France.
| | - Laurent Seuront
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, Station Marine de Wimereux, 59000, Lille, France; Department of Marine Energy and Resource, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8477, Japan; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Akira Tsujimoto
- Faculty of Education, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane, 690-8504, Japan
| | - Julien Richirt
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, IRD, UMR8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, Station Marine de Wimereux, 59000, Lille, France; X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan
| | - Fabrizio Frontalini
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Urbino University, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Masashi Tsuchiya
- Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan
| | - Misako Matsuba
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute of Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Nomaki
- X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan
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12
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Tziourrou P, Vakros J, Karapanagioti HK. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and infrared (IR) measurements for studying biofilm formation on common plastic litter polymer (LDPE and PET) surfaces in three different laboratory aquatic environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:67499-67512. [PMID: 37115440 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27163-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Different species of microorganisms colonize the plastic surfaces and form biofilms depending on the aquatic environment. In the current investigation, characteristics of the plastic surface after exposure to three different aquatic environments based on visualization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and spectroscopic (diffuse reflectance (DR) and infrared (IR)) techniques were examined in laboratory bioreactors with time. For both materials, there were no differences observed in the ultraviolet (UV) region among the reactors and several peaks were observed with fluctuating intensities and without any trends. For light density polyethylene (LDPE), peaks indicating the presence of biofilm could be observed in the visible region for activated sludge bioreactor, and for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), freshwater algae biofilm was also visible. PET in freshwater bioreactor is the most densely populated sample both under the optical microscope and SEM. Based on the DR spectra, different visible peaks for LDPE and PET were observed but, in both cases, the visible region peaks (~ 450 and 670 nm) correspond to the peaks found in the water samples of the bioreactors. The difference on these surfaces could not be identified with IR but the fluctuations observed in the UV wavelength region were also detectable using indices obtained from the IR spectra such as keto, ester, and vinyl. For instance, the virgin PET sample shows higher values in all the indices than the virgin LDPE sample [(virgin LDPE: ester Index (I) = 0.051, keto I = 0.039, vinyl I = 0.067), (virgin PET: ester I = 3.5, keto I = 19, vinyl I = 0.18)]. This suggests that virgin PET surface is hydrophilic as expected. At the same time, for all the LDPE samples, all the indices demonstrated higher values (especially for R2) than the virgin LDPE. On the other hand, ester and keto indices for PET samples demonstrated lower values than virgin PET. In addition, DRS technique was able to identify the formation of the biofilm both on wet and dry samples. Both DRS and IR can describe changes in the hydrophobicity during the initial formation of biofilm but DRS can better describe the fluctuations of biofilm in the visible spectra region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlos Tziourrou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504, Patras, Greece
| | - John Vakros
- School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia, 2417, Nicosia, Cyprus
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13
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Zepp RG, Acrey B, Davis MJB, Andrady AL, Locklin J, Arnold R, Okungbowa O, Commodore A. Weathering Effects on Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene-Nanosilica Composite with Added Pro-oxidant. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT 2023; 31:4184-4192. [PMID: 38516540 PMCID: PMC10953814 DOI: 10.1007/s10924-023-02864-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Nanomaterials are increasingly used in polymer composites to enhance their properties, such as mechanical performance and durability, increased electrical conductivity, and improved optical clarity. Here results are presented of a study simulating effects of weathering on degradation of a nanosilica-low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite. Release of nanosilica from LDPE composites is a potential source of toxic SiO2. Nanosilica based LDPE composites were weathered under carefully controlled conditions by exposure to simulated sunlight. The effects of an added pro-oxidant on weathering was examined. Weathering of the composites with pro-oxidant was determined by quantifying changes in infrared spectroscopic properties (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy / FTIR); mechanical properties, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy and other procedures. Wavelength effects on weathering rates were determined in a series of irradiations using simulated solar radiation passed through light filters that blocked different parts of the ultraviolet spectral region. Rates and spectral irradiance were then analyzed to develop spectral weighting functions (SWFs) that quantify wavelength effects on the sunlight-induced weathering of the pro-oxidant amended composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Zepp
- Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 960 College Station Rd, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Brad Acrey
- Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division (LSASD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mary J B Davis
- Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 960 College Station Rd, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Anthony L Andrady
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jason Locklin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Rachelle Arnold
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Osadolor Okungbowa
- Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 960 College Station Rd, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Adwoa Commodore
- Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 960 College Station Rd, Athens, GA, USA
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14
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Beck AJ, Kaandorp M, Hamm T, Bogner B, Kossel E, Lenz M, Haeckel M, Achterberg EP. Rapid shipboard measurement of net-collected marine microplastic polymer types using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023:10.1007/s00216-023-04634-6. [PMID: 36922436 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04634-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Isolation and detection of microplastics (MP) in marine samples is extremely cost- and labor-intensive, limiting the speed and amount of data that can be collected. In the current work, we describe rapid measurement of net-collected MPs (net mesh size 300 µm) using a benchtop near-infrared hyperspectral imaging system during a research expedition to the subtropical North Atlantic gyre. Suspected plastic particles were identified microscopically and mounted on a black adhesive background. Particles were imaged with a Specim FX17 near-infrared linescan camera and a motorized stage. A particle mapping procedure was built on existing edge-finding algorithms and a polymer identification method developed using spectra from virgin polymer reference materials. This preliminary work focused on polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene as they are less dense than seawater and therefore likely to be found floating in the open ocean. A total of 27 net tows sampled 2534 suspected MP particles that were imaged and analyzed at sea. Approximately 77.1% of particles were identified as polyethylene, followed by polypropylene (9.2%). A small fraction of polystyrene was detected only at one station. Approximately 13.6% of particles were either other plastic polymers or were natural materials visually misidentified as plastics. Particle size distributions for PE and PP particles with a length greater than 1 mm followed an approximate power law relationship with abundance. This method allowed at-sea, near real-time identification of MP polymer types and particle dimensions, and shows great promise for rapid field measurements of microplastics in net-collected samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Beck
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Mikael Kaandorp
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Department of Physics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Agrosphere Institute (IBG-3), Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Thea Hamm
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
- National Park Authority, Virchowstrasse 1, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Boie Bogner
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Elke Kossel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Mark Lenz
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Haeckel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Eric P Achterberg
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
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15
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Sharma H, Neelam DK. Understanding challenges associated with plastic and bacterial approach toward plastic degradation. J Basic Microbiol 2023; 63:292-307. [PMID: 36470670 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202200428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plastic is widely used in every sector due to its stability, durability, and low cost. The widespread use of plastic results in the compilation of plastic waste in the environment. The buildup of such a vast volume of plastic garbage has emerged as the primary cause of environmental pollution, including air, land, and water pollution. Plastics contain various harmful chemicals and toxic substances that can leak and adversely affect humans and other organisms. Managing this much plastic waste is a very challenging task; therefore, an appropriate technique is needed to address this problem. Various methods are used, such as chemical, physical, and biological, to degrade plastic waste. Bacterial degradation is known to be the most effective technique for the biodegradation approach to overcome this issue. Biodegradation has played a crucial role in removing these polluting wastes more efficiently and eco-friendly. The process of biodegradation involves a variety of bacteria, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhodococcus ruber, and so on. Biodegradation of plastic takes place through various biochemical pathways, including biodeterioration, biofragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization. During biodegradation, bacteria produce enzymes like esterase, cutinase, laccase, lipase, and others that break down and transform plastic polymers into microbial biomass and gases. This review aims to explain how bacteria contribute to the breakdown of plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemlata Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, JECRC University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Deepesh K Neelam
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, JECRC University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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16
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Zhang C, Mu Y, Li T, Jin FJ, Jin CZ, Oh HM, Lee HG, Jin L. Assembly strategies for polyethylene-degrading microbial consortia based on the combination of omics tools and the "Plastisphere". Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1181967. [PMID: 37138608 PMCID: PMC10150012 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181967] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous microorganisms and other invertebrates that are able to degrade polyethylene (PE) have been reported. However, studies on PE biodegradation are still limited due to its extreme stability and the lack of explicit insights into the mechanisms and efficient enzymes involved in its metabolism by microorganisms. In this review, current studies of PE biodegradation, including the fundamental stages, important microorganisms and enzymes, and functional microbial consortia, were examined. Considering the bottlenecks in the construction of PE-degrading consortia, a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches is proposed to identify the mechanisms and metabolites of PE degradation, related enzymes, and efficient synthetic microbial consortia. In addition, the exploration of the plastisphere based on omics tools is proposed as a future principal research direction for the construction of synthetic microbial consortia for PE degradation. Combining chemical and biological upcycling processes for PE waste could be widely applied in various fields to promote a sustainable environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiao Zhang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulin Mu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Taihua Li
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng-Jie Jin
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun-Zhi Jin
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Mock Oh
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Gwan Lee
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Hyung-Gwan Lee,
| | - Long Jin
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Long Jin,
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17
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Cuvelier D, Ramalho SP, Purser A, Haeckel M. Impact of returning scientific cruises and prolonged on-site presence on litter abundance at the deep-sea nodule fields in the Peru Basin. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114162. [PMID: 36174254 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114162] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter can be found along coasts, continental shelves and slopes, down into the abyss. The absence of light, low temperatures and low energy regimes characterising the deeper habitats ensure the persistence of litter over time. Therefore, manmade items within the deep sea will likely accumulate to increasing quantities. Here we report the litter abundance encountered at the Pacific abyssal nodule fields from the Peru Basin at 4150 m depth. An average density of 2.67 litter items/ha was observed. Litter composed of plastic was the most abundant followed by metal and glass. At least 58 % of the items observed could be linked to the research expeditions conducted in the area and appeared to be mostly accidental disposals from ships. The data gathered was used to address temporal trends in litter abundance as well as the impact of human on-site presence and return cruises in the context of future deep-sea mining efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Cuvelier
- Institute of Marine Sciences - Okeanos, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Sofia P Ramalho
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Autun Purser
- Alfred Wegener Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
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18
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Chaudhary P, Singh R, Shabin M, Sharma A, Bhatt S, Sinha V, Sinha B. Replacing the greater evil: Can legalizing decentralized waste burning in improved devices reduce waste burning emissions for improved air quality? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119897. [PMID: 35963389 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Open waste burning emissions constitute a significant source of air pollution affecting human health in India. In regions where cleaner fuels have displaced solid biofuel usage, open waste burning is rapidly becoming one of the largest sources of airborne human class-I-carcinogens and particulate matter. As the establishment of waste management infrastructure in rural India is likely to take years, we explore whether health-relevant emissions can be reduced by legalizing the burning of dry non-biodegradable waste in improved devices. We measure the emission factors of 76 VOCs, CH4, CO, and CO2 from different types of waste burned in two different improved devices, a burn basket and a local water heater. Based on our experiments, we create four "what-if" intervention scenarios to assess the improvement of air quality due to the emission reductions that can be accomplished by four management strategies. We find that substituting the traditional, more polluting water heating fuels with dry plastic waste across rural India can reduce primary emissions (e.g., -29 Ggy-1 for benzene) and ozone formation potential (-2960 Ggy-1) from open waste burning. When dry waste is used in lieu of more polluting fuels, and its burning serves a purpose, the net class-I-carcinogen benzene emissions, would be halved compared to the present. The change in emissions for the class-I carcinogen 1,3-butadiene would become net negative. This happens because the emissions avoided when part of the solid biofuel currently used in rural India is replaced by plastic waste (4.1 (1.2-4.1) Ggy-1) exceed the waste burning emissions of this compound (3 (1.2-3.7) Ggy-1) by so much, that residential sector emission reductions offset all waste burning emissions including those of landfill fires. Our study demonstrates that India's air quality can be improved by permitting and promoting the use of dry packaging waste in lieu of traditional biofuels and by promoting improved burning devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Chaudhary
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Raj Singh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Muhammed Shabin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Anita Sharma
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Sachin Bhatt
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Vinayak Sinha
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Baerbel Sinha
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli PO, Punjab, 140306, India.
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19
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Vaksmaa A, Egger M, Lüke C, Martins PD, Rosselli R, Asbun AA, Niemann H. Microbial communities on plastic particles in surface waters differ from subsurface waters of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113949. [PMID: 35932724 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The long-term fate of plastics in the ocean and their interactions with marine microorganisms remain poorly understood. In particular, the role of sinking plastic particles as a transport vector for surface microbes towards the deep sea has not been investigated. Here, we present the first data on the composition of microbial communities on floating and suspended plastic particles recovered from the surface to the bathypelagic water column (0-2000 m water depth) of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Microbial community composition of suspended plastic particles differed from that of plastic particles afloat at the sea surface. However, in both compartments, a diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria was identified. These findings indicate that microbial community members initially present on floating plastics are quickly replaced by microorganisms acquired from deeper water layers, thus suggesting a limited efficiency of sinking plastic particles to vertically transport microorganisms in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Vaksmaa
- Department of Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 't Horntje, the Netherlands.
| | - Matthias Egger
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Egger Research and Consulting, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Lüke
- Radboud University, Department of Microbiology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Riccardo Rosselli
- Departamento de Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Spain; LABAQUA S.A.U, C/Dracma 16-18, Pol. Ind. Las Atalayas, 03114 Alicante, Spain
| | - Alejandro Abdala Asbun
- Department of Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 't Horntje, the Netherlands
| | - Helge Niemann
- Department of Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 't Horntje, the Netherlands; Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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20
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Bohdan K. Estimating global marine surface microplastic abundance: systematic literature review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:155064. [PMID: 35395303 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxicity and persistence of microplastics (MP) in the marine environment has a potential to disturb the ecological balance of the planet. To evaluate the gravity of the situation, continuity in research of MP abundance is required. In this work for the first time a systematic literature review was conducted to build abundance datasets of MP at marine surface waters that were used to estimate average MP abundance and produce maps. Due to non-Gaussian distribution of the data, non-parametric statistics were used. The results show that an estimated average of approximately 6300 MP km-2 MP float at the surface of the oceans. Additionally, observations of drawbacks in MP research that hamper inter-research comparability were made and these mainly include heterogeneity of methods and poor reporting practice. Basic guidelines to improve future research comparability were devised. Results provided here can be beneficial to research that requires a reliable and comparable MP abundance datasets sourced in a transparent and rigorous manner. These datasets are made available to the readers.
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21
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Li W, Chen X, Cai Z, Li M, Liu Z, Gong H, Yan M. Characteristics of microplastic pollution and analysis of colonized-microbiota in a freshwater aquaculture system. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119385. [PMID: 35525520 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The microbial communities associated with microplastics (MPs) and their ambient environments have received wide attention. Although previous studies have reported the differences of microbial communities between MPs and natural environment or substrates, the effects of MPs on microbial balance and functions in ambient water remain unclear, particularly for aquaculture water. Here, we investigated the MPs pollution in farm ponds of grass carp located in the Foshan City of Guangdong Province and reported the distinction of bacterial structures, functions, and complexity between microbiota on MPs and in water. MPs with an average abundance of 288.53 ± 74.27 items/L in pond water were mostly fibers and cellulose, mainly transparent and in size of 0.5-1 mm. Structures and functions of bacterial communities on MPs significantly differed from that in pond water. A large number of enriched or depleted OTUs on MPs compared with water belong to the phylum Proteobacteria, the predominant phylum in microbial communities on MPs and in water. Some species included in the phylum Proteobacteria have been shown to be cellulose-degrading and pathogenic. Microbiota on MPs exhibited higher species richness and diversity as well as a more complex network than that in water, illustrating MPs as a distinct habitat in the aquaculture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixin Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Xiaofeng Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Zeming Cai
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Minqian Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Han Gong
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Muting Yan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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22
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Kelly MR, Whitworth P, Jamieson A, Burgess JG. Bacterial colonisation of plastic in the Rockall Trough, North-East Atlantic: An improved understanding of the deep-sea plastisphere. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119314. [PMID: 35447252 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has now been found within multiple ecosystems across the globe. Characterisation of microbial assemblages associated with marine plastic, or the so-called 'plastisphere', has focused predominantly on plastic in the epipelagic zone. Whether this community includes taxa that are consistently enriched on plastic compared to surrounding non plastic surfaces is unresolved, as are the ecological implications. The deep sea is likely a final sink for most of the plastic entering the ocean, yet there is limited information on microbial colonisation of plastic at depth. The aim of this study was to investigate deep-sea microbial communities associated with polystyrene (PS) and polyurethane (PU) with Bath stone used as a control. The substrates (n = 15) were deployed in the Rockall Trough (Atlantic), and recovered 420 days later from a depth of 1796 m. To characterise the bacterial communities, 16S rRNA genes were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. A dominant core microbiome (taxa shared across all substrates) comprised 8% of total ASVs (amplicon sequence variant) and accounted for 92% of the total community reads. This suggests that many commonly reported members of the plastisphere are simply opportunistic which freely colonise any hard surface. Transiently associated species consisted of approximately 7% of the total community. Thirty genera were enriched on plastic (P < 0.05), representing 1% of the total community. The discovery of novel deep-sea enriched taxa included Aurantivirga, Algivirga, IheB3-7, Spirosoma, HTCC5015, Ekhidna and Calorithrix on PS and Candidatus Obscuribacter, Haloferula, Marine Methylotrophic Group 3, Aliivibrio, Tibeticola and Dethiosulfatarculus on PU. This small fraction of the microbiome include taxa with unique metabolic abilities and show how bacterial communities can be shaped by plastic pollution at depth. This study outlines a novel approach in categorising the plastisphere to elucidate the ecological implications of enriched taxa that show an affinity for colonising plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max R Kelly
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom.
| | - Paul Whitworth
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom.
| | - Alan Jamieson
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom; Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Oceans Institute, IOMRC Building, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - J Grant Burgess
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom.
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23
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Cloux S, Allen-Perkins S, de Pablo H, Garaboa-Paz D, Montero P, Pérez Muñuzuri V. Validation of a Lagrangian model for large-scale macroplastic tracer transport using mussel-peg in NW Spain (Ría de Arousa). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153338. [PMID: 35092776 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Marine debris is a growing problem in recent years due to population growth around the world. The incorrect management of plastic waste causes these bodies reach the seas and oceans, becoming a worldwide problem. Once they reach the seas and oceans, they begin a long period of degradation, moving from a macro state (plastics whose diameter is greater than 0.5 cm) to a micro state (diameter less than 0.5 cm). The microplastics spread throughout the oceans, entering the food chain of marine species and, subsequently, of humans. Therefore, it is important to stop the problem while it remains at the macroscale. In this work, a validation of a recently developed Lagrangian computational model to track the movement of macro plastics in seas and oceans is presented. This validation is performed on a regional scale, in the Ría de Arousa, one of the most important estuaries for mussel cultivation in northwestern Spain. During mussel cultivation in rafts, a type of floating plastic stick are released, the mussel-pegs. The potential of this study is that we can compare the accumulation results of the model with the accumulation data collected on the Galician beaches. In a general framework, the influence of wind on the spatial distribution of the accumulations given by the model was observed. For the monitoring data, similar results were found for the accumulation trends over the entire total period. For the monthly representation, some discrepancies were observed. These differences can be attributed to particular synoptic situations, poor reproduction of the coastline or to the very orientation of the study area with respect to the intertidal dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cloux
- CRETUS, Nonlinear Physics Group, Faculty of Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Silvia Allen-Perkins
- INTECMAR, Inst. Tecnolóxico para o Control do Medio Mariño de Galicia, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Spain.
| | - Hilda de Pablo
- MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Daniel Garaboa-Paz
- CRETUS, Nonlinear Physics Group, Faculty of Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Pedro Montero
- INTECMAR, Inst. Tecnolóxico para o Control do Medio Mariño de Galicia, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Spain.
| | - Vicente Pérez Muñuzuri
- CRETUS, Nonlinear Physics Group, Faculty of Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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24
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Toxic Chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants Associated with Micro-and Nanoplastics Pollution. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL ADVANCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceja.2022.100310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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25
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Alimi OS, Claveau-Mallet D, Kurusu RS, Lapointe M, Bayen S, Tufenkji N. Weathering pathways and protocols for environmentally relevant microplastics and nanoplastics: What are we missing? JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:126955. [PMID: 34488100 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
To date, most studies of microplastics have been carried out with pristine particles. However, most plastics in the environment will be aged to some extent; hence, understanding the effects of weathering and accurately mimicking weathering processes are crucial. By using microplastics that lack environmental relevance, we are unable to fully assess the risks associated with microplastic pollution in the environment. Emerging studies advocate for harmonization of experimental methods, however, the subject of reliable weathering protocols for realistic assessment has not been addressed. In this work, we critically analysed the current knowledge regarding protocols used for generating environmentally relevant microplastics and leachates for effects studies. We present the expected and overlooked weathering pathways that plastics will undergo throughout their lifecycle. International standard weathering protocols developed for polymers were critically analysed for their appropriateness for use in microplastics research. We show that most studies using weathered microplastics involve sorption experiments followed by toxicity assays. The most frequently reported weathered plastic types in the literature are polystyrene>polyethylene>polypropylene>polyvinyl chloride, which does not reflect the global plastic production and plastic types detected globally. Only ~10% of published effect studies have used aged microplastics and of these, only 12 use aged nanoplastics. This highlights the need to embrace the use of environmentally relevant microplastics and to pay critical attention to the appropriateness of the weathering methods adopted moving forward. We advocate for quality reporting of weathering protocols and characterisation for harmonization and reproducibility across different research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olubukola S Alimi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Dominique Claveau-Mallet
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada; Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Rafael S Kurusu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Mathieu Lapointe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Lakeshore, Ste Anne de Bellevue, 21111, Canada
| | - Nathalie Tufenkji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada.
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26
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Agostini L, Moreira JCF, Bendia AG, Kmit MCP, Waters LG, Santana MFM, Sumida PYG, Turra A, Pellizari VH. Deep-sea plastisphere: Long-term colonization by plastic-associated bacterial and archaeal communities in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 793:148335. [PMID: 34174607 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution is a global concern because of continuous release into the oceans over the last several decades. Although recent studies have made efforts to characterize the so-called plastisphere, or microbial community inhabiting plastic substrates, it is not clear whether the plastisphere is defined as a core community or as a random attachment of microbial cells. Likewise, little is known about the influence of the deep-sea environment on the plastisphere. In our experimental study, we evaluated the microbial colonization on polypropylene pellets and two types of plastic bags: regular high density polyethylene (HDPE) and HDPE with the oxo-biodegradable additive BDA. Gravel was used as control. Samples were deployed at three sites at 3300 m depth in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and left for microbial colonization for 719 days. For microbial communities analysis, DNA was extracted from the biofilm on plastic and gravel substrates, and then the 16S rRNA was sequenced through the Illumina Miseq platform. Cultivation was performed to isolate strains from the plastic and gravel substrates. Substrate type strongly influenced the microbial composition and structure, while no difference between sites was detected. Although several taxa were shared among plastics, we observed some groups specific for each plastic substrate. These communities comprised taxa previously reported from both epipelagic zones and deep-sea benthic ecosystems. The core microbiome (microbial taxa shared by all plastic substrates) was exclusively composed by low abundance taxa, with some members well-described in the plastisphere and with known plastic-degradation capabilities. Additionally, we obtained bacterial strains that have been previously reported inhabiting plastic substrates and/or degrading hydrocarbon compounds, which corroborates our metabarcoding data and suggests the presence of microbial members potentially active and involved with degradation of these plastics in the deep sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Agostini
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Gonçalves Bendia
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Pezzo Kmit
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Linda Gwen Waters
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Yukio Gomes Sumida
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Vivian Helena Pellizari
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo CEP: 05508-120, Brazil
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27
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Coons AK, Busch K, Lenz M, Hentschel U, Borchert E. Biogeography rather than substrate type determines bacterial colonization dynamics of marine plastics. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12135. [PMID: 34603853 PMCID: PMC8445087 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the middle of the 20th century, plastics have been incorporated into our everyday lives at an exponential rate. In recent years, the negative impacts of plastics, especially as environmental pollutants, have become evident. Marine plastic debris represents a relatively new and increasingly abundant substrate for colonization by microbial organisms, although the full functional potential of these organisms is yet to be uncovered. In the present study, we investigated plastic type and incubation location as drivers of marine bacterial community structure development on plastics, i.e., the Plastisphere, via 16S rRNA amplicon analysis. Four distinct plastic types: high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyamide (PA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and glass-slide controls were incubated for five weeks in the coastal waters of four different biogeographic locations (Cape Verde, Chile, Japan, South Africa) during July and August of 2019. The primary driver of the coastal Plastisphere composition was identified as incubation location, i.e., biogeography, while substrate type did not have a significant effect on bacterial community composition. The bacterial communities were consistently dominated by the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Bacteroidia, irrespective of sampling location or substrate type, however a core bacterial Plastisphere community was not observable at lower taxonomic levels. Overall, this study sheds light on the question of whether bacterial communities on plastic debris are shaped by the physicochemical properties of the substrate they grow on or by the marine environment in which the plastics are immersed. This study enhances the current understanding of biogeographic variability in the Plastisphere by including biofilms from plastics incubated in the previously uncharted Southern Hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K Coons
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Kathrin Busch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Mark Lenz
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.,Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Erik Borchert
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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28
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Halden RU, Rolsky C, Khan FR. Time: A Key Driver of Uncertainty When Assessing the Risk of Environmental Plastics to Human Health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12766-12769. [PMID: 34520666 PMCID: PMC8495893 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rolf U. Halden
- Center
for Environmental Health Engineering, The
Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-8101, United States
- School
of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660 S. College Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United
States
- Global
Futures Laboratory, Arizona State University, 800 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- OneWaterOneHealth, Nonprofit Project of the Arizona State University
Foundation, 1001 S. McAllister
Ave., Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- AquaVitas,
LLC, 9260 E. Raintree
Dr., Suite 130, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, United
States
| | - Charles Rolsky
- Center
for Environmental Health Engineering, The
Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-8101, United States
| | - Farhan R. Khan
- Norwegian
Research Center (NORCE), Nygårdsporten 112, NO-5008 Bergen, Norway
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29
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Arpia AA, Chen WH, Ubando AT, Naqvi SR, Culaba AB. Microplastic degradation as a sustainable concurrent approach for producing biofuel and obliterating hazardous environmental effects: A state-of-the-art review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 418:126381. [PMID: 34329008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
As plastics have been omnipresent in society ever since their introduction in 1907, global plastic production has ballooned in the 20th century or the Plasticene Era (Plastic Age). After their useful life span, they deliberately or accidentally, are disposed of in the environment. Influenced by different factors, plastics undergo fragmentation into microplastics (MPs) and present hazardous risks in all life forms including humans. Obliterating MPs from the environment has been a global challenge for the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). This review aims to present MP degradation routes with a great focus on the thermodegradation and biodegradation routes as sustainable routes of MP degradation. These routes can achieve the reduction and obliteration of MPs in the environment, thus reducing their hazardous effects. Moreover, the thermodegradation of MPs can produce fuels that help solve the dilemma of energy security. Overall, continued research and development are still needed, however, these novel approaches and the increased awareness of the microplastics' hazards give us hope that we can achieve sustainable development in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjay A Arpia
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan.
| | - Aristotle T Ubando
- Mechanical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
| | - Salman Raza Naqvi
- School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12 Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Alvin B Culaba
- Mechanical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
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30
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Fleury JB, Baulin VA. Microplastics destabilize lipid membranes by mechanical stretching. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104610118. [PMID: 34326264 PMCID: PMC8346836 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104610118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimated millions of tons of plastic are dumped annually into oceans. Plastic has been produced only for 70 y, but the exponential rise of mass production leads to its widespread proliferation in all environments. As a consequence of their large abundance globally, microplastics are also found in many living organisms including humans. While the health impact of digested microplastics on living organisms is debatable, we reveal a physical mechanism of mechanical stretching of model cell lipid membranes induced by adsorbed micrometer-sized microplastic particles most commonly found in oceans. Combining experimental and theoretical approaches, we demonstrate that microplastic particles adsorbed on lipid membranes considerably increase membrane tension even at low particle concentrations. Each particle adsorbed at the membrane consumes surface area that is proportional to the contact area between particle and the membrane. Although lipid membranes are liquid and able to accommodate mechanical stress, the relaxation time is much slower than the rate of adsorption; thus, the cumulative effect from arriving microplastic particles to the membrane leads to the global reduction of the membrane area and increase of membrane tension. This, in turn, leads to a strong reduction of membrane lifetime. The effect of mechanical stretching of microplastics on living cells membranes was demonstrated by using the aspiration micropipette technique on red blood cells. The described mechanical stretching mechanism on lipid bilayers may provide better understanding of the impact of microplastic particles in living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Fleury
- Experimental Physics, Universitat des Saarlandes, 66123 Saarbruecken, Germany;
- Center for Biophysics, Universitat des Saarlandes, 66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Vladimir A Baulin
- Departament Química Física i Inorgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
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31
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Rizzo M, Corbau C, Lane B, Malkin SY, Bezzi V, Vaccaro C, Nardin W. Examining the dependence of macroplastic fragmentation on coastal processes (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 169:112510. [PMID: 34062324 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris in the coastal environment is subject to complex and poorly characterized weathering processes. To better understand how key environmental factors affect plastic degradation in a coastal zone, we conducted an in situ experiment. We deployed strips of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) in paired coastal areas of contrasting conditions (hydrodynamic activity: erosional or depositional; water depths: subtidal or intertidal). Strips were collected after environmental exposures at 4, 8, and 43 weeks and analyzed for change in mass, algal biofilm growth, and imaged by petrographic and electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). Significant surface erosion was evident on both polymers, and was more rapid and more extensive with PS. Degradation of PS was responsive to intensity of hydrodynamic activity, and was greater at intertidal depths, highlighting the critical role played by photo-oxidation in the coastal zone, and suggesting that algal biofilms may slow degradation by playing a photo-protective role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Rizzo
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA; Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Corinne Corbau
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA; Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Benjamin Lane
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA
| | - Sairah Y Malkin
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA
| | - Virginia Bezzi
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carmela Vaccaro
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - William Nardin
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA
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32
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Oberbeckmann S, Bartosik D, Huang S, Werner J, Hirschfeld C, Wibberg D, Heiden SE, Bunk B, Overmann J, Becher D, Kalinowski J, Schweder T, Labrenz M, Markert S. Genomic and proteomic profiles of biofilms on microplastics are decoupled from artificial surface properties. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3099-3115. [PMID: 33876529 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Microplastics in marine ecosystems are colonized by diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities. How these communities and their functional profiles are shaped by the artificial surfaces remains broadly unknown. In order to close this knowledge gap, we set up an in situ experiment with pellets of the polyolefin polymer polyethylene (PE), the aromatic hydrocarbon polymer polystyrene (PS), and wooden beads along a coastal to estuarine gradient in the Baltic Sea, Germany. We used an integrated metagenomics/metaproteomics approach to evaluate the genomic potential as well as protein expression levels of aquatic plastic biofilms. Our results suggest that material properties had a minor influence on the plastic-associated assemblages, as genomic and proteomic profiles of communities associated with the structurally different polymers PE and PS were highly similar, hence polymer-unspecific. Instead, it seemed that these communities were shaped by biogeographic factors. Wood, on the other hand, induced the formation of substrate-specific biofilms and served as nutrient source itself. Our study indicates that, while PE and PS microplastics may be relevant in the photic zone as opportunistic colonization grounds for phototrophic microorganisms, they appear not to be subject to biodegradation or serve as vectors for pathogenic microorganisms in marine habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Oberbeckmann
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), Rostock, Germany
| | - Daniel Bartosik
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sixing Huang
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Johannes Werner
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), Rostock, Germany
| | - Claudia Hirschfeld
- Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, Institute of Microbiology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Daniel Wibberg
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Stefan E Heiden
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Boyke Bunk
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany.,Faculty of Life Science, Braunschweig University of Technology, Institute of Microbiology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, Institute of Microbiology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Schweder
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Labrenz
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), Rostock, Germany
| | - Stephanie Markert
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Greifswald, Germany
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33
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Rahman I, Mujahid A, Palombo EA, Müller M. A functional gene-array analysis of microbial communities settling on microplastics in a peat-draining environment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112226. [PMID: 33711605 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about microplastic (MP) pollution arise from the rafting potential of these durable particles which potentially propagate harmful chemicals and bacteria across wide spatial gradients. While many studies have been conducted in the marine environment, knowledge of MPs in coastal and freshwater systems is limited. For this study, we exposed two MPs (polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid) to the undisturbed peat-draining Maludam River in Malaysia, for 6 months. The microbial communities on these MPs and the surrounding water were sequenced by MiSeq, while the genetic responses of these communities were assessed by GeoChip 5.0S. Microbial communities were dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria. Metabolic processes involved with carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, metal homeostasis, organic remediation and virulence had significantly different gene expression among the communities on MPs and in the surrounding water. Our study is the first to look at changes in gene expression of whole plastisphere communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishraq Rahman
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia; International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), Uttara, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
| | - Aazani Mujahid
- Faculty of Resource Science & Technology, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Enzo A Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Moritz Müller
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
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Amobonye A, Bhagwat P, Singh S, Pillai S. Plastic biodegradation: Frontline microbes and their enzymes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 759:143536. [PMID: 33190901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastic polymers with different properties have been developed in the last 150 years to replace materials such as wood, glass and metals across various applications. Nevertheless, the distinct properties which make plastic desirable for our daily use also threaten our planet's sustainability. Plastics are resilient, non-reactive and most importantly, non-biodegradable. Hence, there has been an exponential increase in plastic waste generation, which has since been recognised as a global environmental threat. Plastic wastes have adversely affected life on earth, primarily through their undesirable accumulation in landfills, leaching into the soil, increased greenhouse gas emission, etc. Even more damaging is their impact on the aquatic ecosystems as they cause entanglement, ingestion and intestinal blockage in aquatic animals. Furthermore, plastics, especially in the microplastic form, have also been found to interfere with chemical interaction between marine organisms, to cause intrinsic toxicity by leaching, and by absorbing persistent organic contaminants as well as pathogens. The current methods for eliminating these wastes (incineration, landfilling, and recycling) come at massive costs, are unsustainable, and put more burden on our environment. Thus, recent focus has been placed more on the potential of biological systems to degrade synthetic plastics. In this regard, some insects, bacteria and fungi have been shown to ingest these polymers and convert them into environmentally friendly carbon compounds. Hence, in the light of recent literature, this review emphasises the multifaceted roles played by microorganisms in this process. The current understanding of the roles played by actinomycetes, algae, bacteria, fungi and their enzymes in enhancing the degradation of synthetic plastics are reviewed, with special focus on their modes of action and probable enzymatic mechanisms. Besides, key areas for further exploration, such as the manipulation of microorganisms through molecular cloning, modification of enzymatic characteristics and metabolic pathway design, are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Amobonye
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
| | - Prashant Bhagwat
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
| | - Suren Singh
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
| | - Santhosh Pillai
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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Wayman C, Niemann H. The fate of plastic in the ocean environment - a minireview. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:198-212. [PMID: 33475108 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00446d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastics in the marine environment poses a threat to ocean life and has received much scientific and public attention in recent years. Plastics were introduced to the market in the 1950s and since then, global production figures and ocean plastic littering have increased exponentially. Of the 359 million tonnes (Mt) produced in 2018, an estimated 14.5 Mt has entered the ocean. In particular smaller plastic particles can be ingested by marine biota causing hazardous effects. Plastic marine debris (PMD) is exposed to physical, chemical and biological stressors. These cause macro and microplastic to break down into smaller fragments, including sub micrometre sized nanoplastic particles, which may account for an important but so far unevaluated fraction of the ocean plastic budget. Physicochemical and biological deterioration of PMD also leads to the release of more volatile compounds and the terminal oxidation of PMD, which most likely accounts for an important but also unevaluated fraction in the ocean plastic budget. This minireview provides an overview on (1) the quantity of plastic production and waste, pathways for plastics to enter the marine realm, the inventory of PMD and the negative effects of PMD to ocean life. (2) We discuss plastic degradation mechanisms in the ocean, expanding on the processes of photodegradation and biodegradation. (3) This review also highlights the emerging topic of nanoplastics in the sea and provides an overview on their specific physical and chemical properties, potential harm to ocean life, and nanoplastic detection techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Wayman
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Helge Niemann
- Department of Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 't Horntje, The Netherlands. and Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands and CAGE - Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, Department of Geosciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
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Sanz-Lázaro C, Casado-Coy N, Beltrán-Sanahuja A. Biodegradable plastics can alter carbon and nitrogen cycles to a greater extent than conventional plastics in marine sediment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:143978. [PMID: 33307497 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The seabed constitutes a global sink for plastic debris, where they can remain for centuries. Biodegradable plastics offer the advantage of having less persistence in the environment than conventional ones. The seabed is responsible for key ecosystem functions related to the cycling of elements by decomposing the labile fraction of organic matter and fueling primary production, while storing the most recalcitrant part of this organic matter and limiting CO2 emissions. Although plastics are expected to affect these processes, knowledge on this matter is scarce. In controlled microcosms, we show that biodegradable plastics can stimulate the decomposition of marine-buried carbon and reduce the release of inorganic nitrogen. We found that conventional and biodegradable plastics promoted anaerobic sediment metabolic pathways. Biodegradable plastics produced a two-fold CO2 release to the water column, which suggests the decomposition of not only plastics, but also of buried organic carbon. The stimulation of sediment metabolism could be due to excessive carbon consumption by bacteria that derives from a rise in the carbon:nitrogen ratio. Accordingly, the NH4+ flux to the water column lowered. As NOx fluxes also lowered, biodegradable plastics might promote nitrification-denitrification coupling. If biodegradable plastics become a major component of marine pollution, then sediment biogeochemical cycles might be strongly influenced, which could affect the carbon sequestration of coastal ecosystems and compromise their mitigation capacity against climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sanz-Lázaro
- Department of Ecology, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain; Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Nuria Casado-Coy
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
| | - Ana Beltrán-Sanahuja
- Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition & Food Sciences Department, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
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Ferreira ATDS, Siegle E, Ribeiro MCH, Santos MST, Grohmann CH. The dynamics of plastic pellets on sandy beaches: A new methodological approach. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 163:105219. [PMID: 33418462 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic found in the coastal zone is a result of waste mismanagement. This material comes directly from offshore disposal or by fishing debris, other marine activities, and by marine currents and winds, as well as urban drainage systems and estuaries. Specifically, in the case of plastic pellets, which are spheres with 2-5 mm that constitute the raw material for the manufacture of plastic products, the Santos Port and the plastic factories in Cubatão city (Brazilian southeastern coast), are considered the main local sources for the São Paulo state coast. Consequently, the beaches most affected by this pollutant are those near Santos estuary, like Enseada do Guarujá beach. However, some questions are still open, such as: what are the mechanisms which control the pellets deposition, and which locations are most favorable for deposition on the beach? To answer these questions, a four-step research was carried out at Enseada beach: 1) Plastic pellets geodetic survey based on GNSS positioning; 2) Beach geomorphometric parameters (altitude, aspect, and slope) derived by Digital Elevation Model (DEM); 3) Strandline altitude estimated through wave climate and tide height; and, 4) Plastic pellets deposition Suitability Index (PSI). The joint analysis of the altimetric, geomorphometric and meteoceanographic aspects showed that the beach areas with altitudes higher than those calculated for the strandline (>2.06 m), slope ~ 3° and facing the same direction of the higher energy waves (157.5-202.5°) were more susceptible to pellet deposition. This indicates that the accumulation of this pollutant on the beach is controlled not only by its physical characteristics, but mainly by storm surge events. Besides, surveys with geodetic reference (fixed, univocal, and relatively stable on time) bring up altimetric information as a result of all interactions and can be compared with other beaches anywhere on the planet - thus contributing to a standardization of the survey methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Targino da Silva Ferreira
- Geosciences Institute of the University of São Paulo (IGc-USP), Rua do Lago, 562 Cidade Universitária, 05508-080, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Master's Program in Geoenvironmental Analysis, Guarulhos University (MAG-UNG), Praça Teresa Cristina, 229, Centro, 07023-070, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil; SPAMLab - Spatial Analysis and Modelling Lab, IEE-USP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Siegle
- Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, Cidade Universitária, 05508-120, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Maria Carolina Hernandez Ribeiro
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), Avenida Arlindo Béttio, 1000, Ermelino Matarazzo, 03828-000, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Soares Teles Santos
- Techno-Science and Innovation Training Center, Federal University of Southern Bahia-UFSB, Itabuna Access Highway, km 39-Ferradas, Itabuna, 45613-204, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Henrique Grohmann
- Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo (IEE-USP), Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 1289, Cidade Universitária, 05508-010, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; SPAMLab - Spatial Analysis and Modelling Lab, IEE-USP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Horton AA, Barnes DKA. Microplastic pollution in a rapidly changing world: Implications for remote and vulnerable marine ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 738:140349. [PMID: 32806379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems in remote regions tend to be highly specific, having historically evolved over long timescales in relatively constant environmental conditions, with little human influence. Such regions are amongst those most physically altering and biologically threatened by global climate change. In addition, they are increasingly receiving anthropogenic pollution. Microplastic pollution has now been found in these most remote places on earth, far from most human activities. Microplastics can induce complex and wide-ranging physical and chemical effects but little to date is known of their long-term biological impacts. In combination with climate-induced stress, microplastics may lead to enhanced multi-stress impacts, potentially affecting the health and resilience of species and ecosystems. While species in historically populated areas have had some opportunity to adapt to mounting human influence over centuries and millennia, the relatively rapid intensification of widespread anthropogenic activities in recent decades has provided species in previously 'untouched' regions little such opportunities. The characteristics of remote ecosystems and the species therein suggest that they could be more sensitive to the combined effects of microplastic pollution, global physical change and other stressors than elsewhere. Here we discuss how species and ecosystems within two remote yet contrasting regions, coastal Antarctica and the deep sea, might be especially vulnerable to harm from microplastic pollution in the context of a rapidly changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice A Horton
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
| | - David K A Barnes
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK
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