Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/acs.est.1c02695
Title (Primary) Back to the future: Decomposability of a biobased and biodegradable plastic in field soil environments and its microbiome under ambient and future climates
Author Purahong, W.; Wahdan, S.F.M.; Heinz, D.; Jariyavidyanont, K.; Sungkapreecha, C.; Tanunchai, B.; Sansupa, C.; Sadubsarn, D.; Alaneed, R.; Heintz-Buschart, A.; Schädler, M.; Geissler, A.; Kressler, J.; Buscot, F.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2021
Department BZF; BOOEK; iDiv
Volume 55
Issue 18
Page From 12337
Page To 12351
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/files/30643132
Keywords biodegradable plastic; soil microorganisms; plastic-degrading fungi; plastic-degrading bacteria; interkingdom relationships
Abstract Decomposition by microorganisms of plastics in soils is almost unexplored despite the fact that the majority of plastics released into the environment end up in soils. Here, we investigate the decomposition process and microbiome of one of the most promising biobased and biodegradable plastics, poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), under field soil conditions under both ambient and future predicted climates (for the time between 2070 and 2100). We show that the gravimetric and molar mass of PBSA is already largely reduced (28–33%) after 328 days under both climates. We provide novel information on the PBSA microbiome encompassing the three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya (fungi). We show that PBSA begins to decompose after the increase in relative abundances of aquatic fungi (Tetracladium spp.) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The PBSA microbiome is distinct from that of surrounding soils, suggesting that PBSA serves as a new ecological habitat. We conclude that the microbial decomposition process of PBSA in soil is more complex than previously thought by involving interkingdom relationships, especially between bacteria and fungi.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=25097
Purahong, W., Wahdan, S.F.M., Heinz, D., Jariyavidyanont, K., Sungkapreecha, C., Tanunchai, B., Sansupa, C., Sadubsarn, D., Alaneed, R., Heintz-Buschart, A., Schädler, M., Geissler, A., Kressler, J., Buscot, F. (2021):
Back to the future: Decomposability of a biobased and biodegradable plastic in field soil environments and its microbiome under ambient and future climates
Environ. Sci. Technol. 55 (18), 12337 - 12351 10.1021/acs.est.1c02695