Aquatic Microbial Diversity on Plastisphere: Colonization and Potential Role in Microplastic Biodegradation

Abstract

Frequently used protective items during the pandemics are prepared from plastics products, such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polyester. Globally more than 57 million pounds of personal protective equipment along with other biomedical plastic waste are entering into the oceans per annum. Lots of economic benefits can be obtained by recycling the polymeric wastes by converting them into useful products through, reduced manufacture cost, bio converted products, and cleaner environment by developing a circular waste management model. Personal protective equipment’s are prepared from different plastic products and the outer most surface of these free-floating plastics presents in the aquatic environment serve as colonization support to diverse microbial populations known as plastisphere. Microbial colonization starts with an initial attachment under different environmental conditions, subsequently by developing a permanent association on the plastic surface. The community structure of microorganisms in the plastisphere can be significantly influenced by the depth of water in the aquatic ecosystem where microplastics present and the nutrients availability. As microorganisms have been deeply investigated for their role in the biodegradation of several pollutants, the present review article focuses on microbial diversity on plastisphere in the aquatic ecosystem, the underlying mechanism of colonization, and their potential role in microplastic degradation. This review article also highlights on imminent research for sustainable management of aquatic microplastic pollution.