Protists as potential microbial tools for environmental microplastic remediation: a mini review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants with significant ecological and health risks.
• Biological degradation is a promising eco-friendly method for MP remediation.
• While bacteria and fungi are studied, protists' role in MP biodegradation is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of protist interactions with microplastics.
• To propose a novel framework viewing protists as active agents in MP degradation.
• To highlight protists as overlooked components in MP fate and remediation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on protist-microplastic interactions.
• Synthesis of emerging evidence on protist-mediated MP transformation.
• Development of a conceptual framework for protist roles in MP fate.

Main Results:

• Protists ingest microplastics via phagocytosis, influencing their ecosystem fate.
• Emerging evidence suggests protists can enzymatically or oxidatively transform MPs.
• Protists act as vectors transferring MPs and facilitate microbial colonization.

Conclusions:

• Protists are more than just vectors; they are active participants in microplastic degradation.
• Further research is needed to establish protists in integrated microbial remediation strategies.
• Protists represent a promising, yet overlooked, component of environmental microplastic management.