Marine Microbial Assemblages on Microplastics: Diversity, Adaptation, and Role in Degradation

We have known for more than 45 years that microplastics in the ocean are carriers of microbially dominated assemblages. However, only recently has the role of microbial interactions with microplastics in marine ecosystems been investigated in detail. Research in this field has focused on three main areas: ( a) the establishment of plastic-specific biofilms (the so-called plastisphere); ( b) enrichment of pathogenic bacteria, particularly members of the genus Vibrio, coupled to a vector function of microplastics; and ( c) the microbial degradation of microplastics in the marine environment. Nevertheless, the relationships between marine microorganisms and microplastics remain unclear. In this review, we deduce…

• EC
  European Commission
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

  Awards: 03F0788A, 03F0775A
• LF
  Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde
• L
  Leibniz-Gemeinschaft

  Award: SAW-2014-IOW-2