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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

Microplastics and their interactions with microbiota.

Ali Parsaeimehr¹, Cassandra M Miller¹, Gulnihal Ozbay¹

¹Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA.

|April 24, 2023

Summary

Microplastics (MPs) harm ecosystems and organisms, causing diseases and microbial imbalances. Microbial biodegradation offers a promising, eco-friendly solution for MP pollution control.

Keywords:

Actinobacteria Biodegradation Microbiota Microplastics Toxicological effects

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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Microbiology
Toxicology

Background:

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging global pollutants with detrimental effects on ecosystems and organisms.
MPs cause immunological, neurological, and respiratory issues, and can transport microbes, disrupting microbiota and biogeochemical cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

To detail the toxicological impacts of MPs on microbiota.
To discuss the adverse effects of microbial colonization on MPs.
To identify microbes capable of biodegrading MPs.

Main Methods:

Literature review on MP toxicology and microbial interactions.
Analysis of studies on microbial colonization of MPs.
Compilation of research on MP-degrading microbes.

Main Results:

MPs exhibit significant toxicological effects on various organisms and microbial communities.
Microbial colonization of MPs can exacerbate environmental pollution and alter microbial functions.
Several microbial species demonstrate potential for MP biodegradation.

Conclusions:

Microbial biodegradation presents a viable, eco-friendly strategy for mitigating MP pollution.
Further research is needed to optimize microbial degradation for effective MP remediation.