Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review
Marine microplastic pollution is a growing problem for ecotoxicology that needs to be resolved. In particular, microplastics may be carriers of “dangerous hitchhikers,” pathogenic microorganisms, i.e., Vibrio. Microplastics are colonized by bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, algae and protozoans, re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1127308/full |
| _version_ | 1797904149783773184 |
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| author | Xinyi Zhai Xiao-Hua Zhang Xiao-Hua Zhang Xiao-Hua Zhang Min Yu Min Yu Min Yu |
| author_facet | Xinyi Zhai Xiao-Hua Zhang Xiao-Hua Zhang Xiao-Hua Zhang Min Yu Min Yu Min Yu |
| author_sort | Xinyi Zhai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Marine microplastic pollution is a growing problem for ecotoxicology that needs to be resolved. In particular, microplastics may be carriers of “dangerous hitchhikers,” pathogenic microorganisms, i.e., Vibrio. Microplastics are colonized by bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, algae and protozoans, resulting in the biofilm referred to as the “plastisphere.” The microbial community composition of the plastisphere differs significantly from those of surrounding environments. Early dominant pioneer communities of the plastisphere belong to primary producers, including diatoms, cyanobacteria, green algae and bacterial members of the Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. With time, the plastisphere mature, and the diversity of microbial communities increases quickly to include more abundant Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria than natural biofilms. Factors driving the plastisphere composition include environmental conditions and polymers, with the former having a much larger influence on the microbial community composition than polymers. Microorganisms of the plastisphere may play key roles in degradation of plastic in the oceans. Up to now, many bacterial species, especially Bacillus and Pseudomonas as well as some polyethylene degrading biocatalysts, have been shown to be capable of degrading microplastics. However, more relevant enzymes and metabolisms need to be identified. Here, we elucidate the potential roles of quorum sensing on the plastic research for the first time. Quorum sensing may well become a new research area to understand the plastisphere and promote microplastics degradation in the ocean. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T09:44:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-65d4ba6c42e04b91b1236a0f99f864ed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T09:44:13Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-65d4ba6c42e04b91b1236a0f99f864ed2023-02-17T05:43:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2023-02-011410.3389/fmicb.2023.11273081127308Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A reviewXinyi Zhai0Xiao-Hua Zhang1Xiao-Hua Zhang2Xiao-Hua Zhang3Min Yu4Min Yu5Min Yu6Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaLaboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaLaboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaMarine microplastic pollution is a growing problem for ecotoxicology that needs to be resolved. In particular, microplastics may be carriers of “dangerous hitchhikers,” pathogenic microorganisms, i.e., Vibrio. Microplastics are colonized by bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, algae and protozoans, resulting in the biofilm referred to as the “plastisphere.” The microbial community composition of the plastisphere differs significantly from those of surrounding environments. Early dominant pioneer communities of the plastisphere belong to primary producers, including diatoms, cyanobacteria, green algae and bacterial members of the Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. With time, the plastisphere mature, and the diversity of microbial communities increases quickly to include more abundant Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria than natural biofilms. Factors driving the plastisphere composition include environmental conditions and polymers, with the former having a much larger influence on the microbial community composition than polymers. Microorganisms of the plastisphere may play key roles in degradation of plastic in the oceans. Up to now, many bacterial species, especially Bacillus and Pseudomonas as well as some polyethylene degrading biocatalysts, have been shown to be capable of degrading microplastics. However, more relevant enzymes and metabolisms need to be identified. Here, we elucidate the potential roles of quorum sensing on the plastic research for the first time. Quorum sensing may well become a new research area to understand the plastisphere and promote microplastics degradation in the ocean.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1127308/fullmicroplasticsmarine microorganismsplastispherebiodegradationquorum sensing |
| spellingShingle | Xinyi Zhai Xiao-Hua Zhang Xiao-Hua Zhang Xiao-Hua Zhang Min Yu Min Yu Min Yu Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review Frontiers in Microbiology microplastics marine microorganisms plastisphere biodegradation quorum sensing |
| title | Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review |
| title_full | Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review |
| title_fullStr | Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review |
| title_short | Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review |
| title_sort | microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere a review |
| topic | microplastics marine microorganisms plastisphere biodegradation quorum sensing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1127308/full |
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