Impacts of biofilm formation on the fate and potential effects of microplastic in the aquatic environment
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Abstract In the aquatic environment, microplastic (MP; <5 mm) is a cause of concern because of its persistence and potential adverse effects on biota. Studies of microlitter impacts are mostly based on virgin and spherical polymer particles as model MP. However, in pelagic and benthic environments, surfaces are always colonized by microorganisms forming so-called biofilms. The influence of such biofilms on the fate and potential effects of MP is not understood well. Here, we review the physical interactions of early microbial colonization on plastic surfaces and their reciprocal influence on the weathering processes and vertical transport as well as sorption and release of contaminants by MP. Possible ecological consequences of biofilm formation on MP, such as trophic transfer of MP particles and potential adverse effects of MP, are virtually unknown. However, evidence is accumulating that the biofilm−plastic interactions have the capacity to influence the fate and impacts of MP by modifying the physical properties of the particles. There is an urgent research need to better understand these interactions and increase the ecological relevance of current laboratory testing by simulating field conditions in which microbial life is a key driver of biogeochemical processes.
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Biofilm formation on microplastics has the potential to transport pathogens.
“Another issue associated with biofilm formation on MPs is its potential to transport pathogens [57,58].”
Densities of these polymers may change while in the environment as a result of biofilms or flocculation.
“However, densities of these polymers may change while in the environment as a result of e.g.biofilms or flocculation (Rummel et al., 2017).”
From Studies of the Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Organisms: What Do We Know and Where Should We Focus Our Efforts in the Future? (2018) · cites this paper as Rummel et al., 2017
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- Authors
- Rummel, C. D., Jahnke, A., Gorokhova, E., Kühnel, D., & Schmitt-Jansen, M.
- Affiliations
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (DE)
- Stockholm University (SE)
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , , Permoserstrasse 15 , ,
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology Letters
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2017-06-13
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 258-267
- ISSN
- 2328-8930 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2625112519
- Cited by
- 1,444
- References
- 151
- Citations by year
- 2026: 162 · 2025: 192 · 2024: 212 · 2023: 196 · 2022: 226 · 2021: 210 · 2020: 134 · 2019: 69 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 5
- FWCI
- 30.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology Letters (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas (942-2015-1866)
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (03Ff0733A, 03Ff0733B)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Keywords
- microplastics, biofilm formation, microbial colonization of plastic, microplastic weathering, vertical transport, trophic transfer, microplastic fate, aquatic environment
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