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[Influence of Microplastics on the Development of Proteus Biofilm]
Hui Tao1,2, Yi-Ting Qi1,2, Duo Yu1,2
1Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
Abstract:
Currently, research on the effects of microplastics (MPs) in biofilms has mainly been focused on the mature biofilm communities, with a lack of sufficient details on the influence on different development stages of biofilms. Proteus and 1 μm polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), which are widely found in the environment, were selected as the research objects to explore the effects of microplastics on biofilms at different developmental stages. In our study, the effects of PS-MPs on biofilm biomass, extracellular polymer composition(EPS), and extracellular enzyme activity were investigated using an exposure test. Our results showed that the effect of PS-MPs on biofilms at different stages was similar, but the effect was significantly reduced with the development of biofilms. Biofilms at different development stages had different sensitivities to microplastics. In the reversible attachment stage, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) of EPS composition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and extracellular enzyme activity were significantly lower than those in other stages; however, the NOEC of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were similar. This may be the result of ROS-mediated protein oxidation, which can be reduced but not completely eliminated by EPS in other stages of biofilm. This indicates that PS-MPs has a low toxic effect on biofilm.
Insights
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) show similar effects on biofilms across development stages, but impact less as biofilms mature. Early biofilm stages are more sensitive to microplastic toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastic (MP) research often overlooks early biofilm development stages.
- Understanding microplastic impacts on biofilms at various life cycle phases is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on biofilms during different developmental stages.
- To assess the influence of PS-MPs on biofilm biomass, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and enzyme activity.
Main Methods:
- Exposure tests were conducted using Proteus and 1 μm PS-MPs.
- Biofilm biomass, EPS composition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, extracellular enzyme activity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured.
Main Results:
- PS-MPs exhibited similar effects across biofilm stages, diminishing as biofilms matured.
- Early biofilm stages, particularly reversible attachment, showed higher sensitivity to PS-MPs.
- No observed effect concentrations (NOEC) for EPS, ROS, and enzyme activity were lower in early stages, suggesting increased susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Biofilm development stage significantly influences sensitivity to PS-MPs.
- PS-MPs appear to have a low toxic effect on biofilms, potentially mediated by ROS and mitigated by EPS.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of microplastic-biofilm interactions.
