Microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymers in experimental mesocosms across an environmental gradient.

ABSTRACT: A variety of organisms can colonize microplastic surfaces through biofouling processes. Heterotrophic bacteria tend to be the focus of plastisphere research; however, the presence of epiplastic microalgae within the biofilm has been repeatedly documented. Despite the relevance of biofouling in determining the fate and effects of microplastics in aquatic systems, data about this process are still scarce, especially for freshwater ecosystems. Here, our goal was to evaluate the biomass development and species composition of biofilms on different plastic polymers and to investigate whether plastic substrates exert a strong enough selection to drive species sorting, overcoming other niche-defining factors. We added microplastic pellets of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephtha

SUBMITTER: Nava V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9299714 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature