New Surface Marine Microplastics for Colonization, Biofilm Formation and Biodegradation

We have known that microplastics (MPs) in the ocean are carriers of microbial dominated assemblages and rapidly are colonized by microbes when released into ocean. However, the role of microbial interactions with microplastics in marine ecosystems has been investigated in detail recently. The presence of microplastics in the marine environment has been raising global attention. Microparticles transport biofilm communities that are distinct from the surrounding environment. Although plastic-colonizing microorganisms are important for the fate of MPs in different ecosystems but its influence on the fate of microplastics is largely unknown. In this review, we focused on the establishment of plastic-specific biofilms (plastisphere); enrichment of pathogenic bacteria coupled to a vector function of microplastics; and the microbial degradation of microplastics in the marine environment. In addition providing a better understanding of plastisphere and biofilm expansion in marine environment, and discuss plastic biodegradation. Also, identification of potentially pathogenic “hitchhikers” in the plastisphere considered.