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Distinct community structure and microbial functions of biofilms colonizing microplastics
Lingzhan Miao1, Peifang Wang1, Jun Hou1
1Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, People's Republic of China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|October 8, 2018
Summary
Microplastics create unique freshwater biofilms, altering microbial communities and functions compared to natural substrates. This research highlights microplastics as distinct habitats impacting aquatic ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Aquatic ecology
- Microplastic pollution
Background:
- Microplastics are prevalent in freshwater, acting as surfaces for microbial biofilm formation.
- While microbial differences between microplastics and water are known, comparisons with natural substrates are limited.
- Understanding substrate type's influence on microbial communities is crucial for aquatic ecosystem health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of substrate type (microplastic vs. natural) on freshwater biofilm microbial communities.
- To compare microbial diversity, community structure, and functional profiles between microplastic and natural substrates.
- To determine if microplastics represent a distinct habitat for microbial colonization.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of biofilms on microplastic (polyethylene, polypropylene) and natural (cobblestone, wood) substrates for 21 days.
- High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to analyze microbial community composition and diversity.
- Functional profiling using Tax4Fun to predict metabolic pathways based on community data.
Main Results:
- Microplastic-associated biofilms exhibited lower alpha diversity (richness, evenness, diversity) than natural substrate biofilms.
- Distinct microbial community structures and compositions were observed between microplastic and natural substrates.
- Specific bacterial taxa (Pirellulaceae, Phycisphaerales, Cyclobacteriaceae, Roseococcus) were more abundant on microplastics.
- Predicted functional profiles showed increased amino acid metabolism and cofactor/vitamin metabolism in microplastic biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics serve as distinct microbial habitats in freshwater environments.
- Substrate type significantly influences microbial community structure and function in biofilms.
- Microplastic colonization alters microbial communities, potentially impacting overall aquatic ecosystem functions.
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