Cited by 305Microplastics and Plastic PollutionMicrobial bioremediation and biosurfactantsMicrobial Community Ecology and Physiology

Bacterial Candidates for Colonization and Degradation of Marine Plastic Debris

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Roager, Line, Sonnenschein, Eva C.·2019·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

With the rising plastic pollution in the oceans, research on the plastisphere—the microorganisms interacting with marine plastic debris—has emerged. Microbial communities colonizing plastic have been characterized from several ocean regions and they are distinct from the communities of the surrounding waters, and a few plastic-degrading microorganisms have been isolated from other environments. Therefore, we propose that marine microorganisms have adapted to plastic as a surface for colonization and potentially degradation. When comparing the taxonomic patterns of plastic-associated, marine bacteria, recurring groups and families such as the families Erythrobacteraceae and Rhodobacteraceae (Alphaproteobacteria), Flavobacteriaceae (Bacteriodetes), and the phylum of cyanobacteria (such as the Phormidium genus) can be identified. Thereby, we provide a perspective on which bacterial candidates could play a role in the colonization and possible degradation of plastic in the oceans due to their occurrence on marine plastic debris. We emphasize the need for extended and reproducible collection of data to assess the existence of a core microbiome or core functionalities of the plastisphere and confirm the capability of these bacterial candidates for biodegradation of plastic. Furthermore, we suggest the next steps in research to elucidate the level of natural bioremediation and the exploitation of bacterial degradative mechanisms of plastic.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1021/acs.est.9b02212

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95 of 95 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Roager, L., & Sonnenschein, E. C.
Affiliations
Technical University of Denmark (DK)
Corresponding author
Sonnenschein, Eva C.
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2019-09-26
Volume
53
Issue
20
Pages
11636-11643
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W2976695371
Cited by
305
References
95
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 32 · 2016: 1
FWCI
9.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Technical University of Denmark, DTU Orbit (Technical University of Denmark, DTU) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
Keywords
plastisphere, marine plastic debris, plastic biodegradation, marine bacteria, Rhodobacteraceae, Flavobacteriaceae, cyanobacteria, Phormidium, core microbiome, bioremediation, marine plastic pollution
MeSH terms
Bacteria, Biodegradation, Environmental, Oceans and Seas, Plastics, Waste Products

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