Aquatic Biofilms—Sink or Source of Microplastics? A Critical Reflection on Current Knowledge

Kalčíková, Gabriela; Bundschuh, Mirco

doi:10.1002/etc.5195

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Only plastic particles in the nanosize (NP) in a high concentration (100 nm, 100 mg L −1 ) led to a decrease of chlorophyll a content and the activity of ß-glucosidase and leucine aminopeptidase, and induced oxidative stress (Miao et al, 2019). However, there are no reports on effects of MP on periphyton following long-term exposures, as was highlighted also by a recent review (Kalčíková and Bundschuh, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Microplastics on Microbial Structure, Function, and Mechanical Properties of Stream Periphyton

Merbt

Kröll

Tamminen

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Periphyton is a freshwater biofilm composed of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities that occupy rocks and sediments, forming the base of the food web and playing a key role in nutrient cycling. Given the large surface that periphyton comprises, it may also act as a sink for a diverse range of man-made pollutants, including microplastics (MP). Here we investigated the effect of 1–4 μm and 63–75 µm sized, spherical polyethylene MP with native and ultraviolet (UV)-weathered surface on developing natural stream periphyton communities over 28 days. In order to ensure proper particle exposure, we first tested MP suspension in water or in water containing either Tween 80, extracellular polymeric substances – EPS, fulvic acids, or protein. We found the extract of EPS from natural periphyton to be most suitable to create MP suspensions in preparation of exposure. Upon exposure, all tested types of MP were found to be associated with the periphyton, independent of their size and other properties. While biomass accrual and phenotypic community structure of the photoautotrophs remained unchanged, the prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities experienced a significant change in composition and relative abundances. Moreover, alpha diversity was affected in eukaryotes, but not in prokaryotes. The observed changes were more prominent in periphyton exposed to UV-treated as compared with native surface MP. Mechanical properties, as assessed by compression rheology, showed that MP-exposed periphyton had longer filamentous streamers, higher stiffness, lower force recovery and a higher viscoelasticity than control periphyton. Despite the observed structural and mechanical changes of periphyton, functional parameters (i.e., photosynthetic yield, respiration and nutrient uptake efficiencies) were not altered by MP, indicating the absence of MP toxicity, and suggesting functional redundancy in the communities. Together, our results provide further proof that periphyton is a sink for MP and demonstrate that MP can impact local microbial community composition and mechanical properties of the biofilms. Consequences of these findings might be a change in dislodgement behavior of periphyton, a propagation through the food chains and impacts on nutrient cycling and energy transfer. Hence, taking the omnipresence, high persistence and material and size diversity of MP in the aquatic environment into account, their ecological consequences need further investigation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Microplastics on Microbial Structure, Function, and Mechanical Properties of Stream Periphyton

Merbt

Kröll

Tamminen

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…Minerals can also incorporate into the biofilm matrix, leading to increases in volume (Flemming and Wingender 2010 ; He et al 2022 ). Kalčíková and Bundschuh ( 2022 ) suggested that biofilm may reduce the bioavailability of MPs and adsorbed pollutants by increasing their sedimentation rate. Therefore, a change in density and sinking velocity of MPs can have an important influence on the environmental fate and transport, thereby affecting their exposure to organisms.…”

Section: Physicochemical Changes Of Mps Induced By Biofilm Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Biofilm Formation on the Physicochemical Properties and Toxicity of Microplastics: A Concise Review

Moyal,

Dave,

et al. 2023

Reviews Env.Contamination (formerly:Residue Reviews)

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Microplastics (MPs) are of global concern due to their slow degradation in the environment and the potential of inducing adverse effects on organisms. In aquatic ecosystems, microbes routinely colonize MPs and develop biofilms on their surfaces. Biofilms are assemblages of surface-associated microbial cells that are enclosed in an extracellular polymeric substance. Emerging evidence has suggested that the development of biofilm can alter the physicochemical properties and the pollutant adsorption capability on MPs. In this article, we review the impacts of biofilm formation on MP properties, ecotoxicity, and fate. First, we summarize the environmental factors that modulate biofilm formation, as well as the unique components of biofilm on MP. Next, we review current understanding on the influence of biofilm formation on the physical and chemical properties of MPs and discuss how these changes affect their pollutant adsorption capacity. Finally, we discuss how biofilm formation on MPs affects their ingestion by organisms and nutrient cycling in aquatic environments. Graphical Abstract

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“…Finally, Kalcˇíková and Bundschuh (2022) discusses the potential interactions between biofilms and micro-and nanoplastics. Their review proposes three strategies to improve science and policy on the fate of microplastics: (1) assess the ability of the biofilm to retain microplastics, (2) study the trophic transfer from the substrate-associated biofilms to higher trophic levels, and (3) study the effects of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on the release dynamics of trapped microplastics.…”

Section: Relevant and Realistic Assessments Of Micro-and Nanoplastics...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Relevant and Realistic Assessments of Micro‐ and Nanoplastics in the Environment

Asselman

2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Aquatic Biofilms—Sink or Source of Microplastics? A Critical Reflection on Current Knowledge

Cited by 18 publications

References 57 publications

Influence of Microplastics on Microbial Structure, Function, and Mechanical Properties of Stream Periphyton

Influence of Microplastics on Microbial Structure, Function, and Mechanical Properties of Stream Periphyton

Impacts of Biofilm Formation on the Physicochemical Properties and Toxicity of Microplastics: A Concise Review

Relevant and Realistic Assessments of Micro‐ and Nanoplastics in the Environment

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