Biofilm formation by marine bacteria is impacted by concentration and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoparticles in a species‐specific manner

Abstract

Summary The world's oceans are becoming increasingly polluted by plastic waste. In the marine environment, larger plastic pieces may degrade into nanoscale (<100 nm in at least one dimension) plastic particles due to natural weathering effects. We observe that the presence of 20 nm plastic nanoparticles at concentrations below 200 ppm had no impact on planktonic growth of a panel of heterotrophic marine bacteria. However, the presence of plastic nanoparticles significantly impacted the formation of biofilms in a species‐specific manner. While carboxylated nanoparticles increased the amount of biofilm formed by several species, amidine‐functionalized nanoparticles decreased the amount of biofilm of many but not all bacteria. Further experiments suggested that the aggregation dynamics of bacteria and nanoparticles were strongly impacted by the surface properties of the nanoparticles. The community structure of an artificially constructed community of marine bacteria was significantly altered by exposure to plastic nanoparticles, with differently functionalized nanoparticles selecting for unique and reproducible community abundance patterns. These results suggest that surface properties and concentration of plastic nanoparticles, as well as species interactions, are important factors determining how plastic nanoparticles impact biofilm formation by marine bacteria.

Bioinspired Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from a Native Bacillus cereus Strain RNT6: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity against Rice Panicle Blight Pathogens Burkholderia glumae and B. gladioli

“…Biofilm formation is a one of the major mechanisms of bacterial pathogens to adapt to various stresses and become a part of infections [53,54]. Moreover, biofilm formation most probably protects the bacterial pathogens from the immune attacks and also contribute to the survival of bacterial pathogens during the saprophytic life and latent infections [55,56].…”

Cell size matters: nano- and micro-plastics preferentially drive declines of large marine phytoplankton due to co-aggregation

“…Physical interaction between phytoplankton cells and plastic particles has been regularly reported. 33, 34, 36-39, 88, 93, 94 Typically, advanced imaging techniques ( i . e ., transmission/scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy) have typically been used to assess this phenomenon, 33,37 with flow cytometric analysis also identified as a tool for this purpose.…”

“…33, 34, 36-39, 88, 93, 94 Typically, advanced imaging techniques (i.e., transmission/scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy) have typically been used to assess this phenomenon, 33,37 with flow cytometric analysis also identified as a tool for this purpose. 38,43 Heteroaggregation is commonly associated with a decline in the phytoplankton population, 33,94 as well as damaging cell morphology 37 and photosynthetic performance. 81 The direct impact of hetero-aggregation and subsequent co-precipitation and indirect effects upon photosynthetic performance are believed to be responsible for the significant declines recorded in large phytoplankton at supra-environmental plastic concentrations.…”

“…33 For positively charged particles such as PS-NH2, aggregation with cells may also be facilitated by electrostatic attraction towards negatively charged cell surfaces. 33,94 The production of EPS has been recorded as a defensive strategy utilised by microorganisms against nanomaterials, 100 however these 'sticky' structures are thought to increase extent of hetero-aggregation between cells and NPs. 39,94 In the case of E. huxleyi, coccolith formation and attachment during cell growth is associated with the production of polysaccharides.…”

“…33,94 The production of EPS has been recorded as a defensive strategy utilised by microorganisms against nanomaterials, 100 however these 'sticky' structures are thought to increase extent of hetero-aggregation between cells and NPs. 39,94 In the case of E. huxleyi, coccolith formation and attachment during cell growth is associated with the production of polysaccharides. 101,102 The presence of these compounds may enhance the attachment of plastic particles to cells, playing a key role in their decline.…”