Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1086/721472
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Interactions between microplastics and benthic biofilms in fluvial ecosystems: Knowledge gaps and future trends
Author Guasch, H.; Bernal, S.; Bruno, D.; Carney Almroth, B.; Cochero, J.; Corcoll, N.; Cornejo, D.; Gacia, E.; Kroll, A.; Lavoie, I.; Ledesma, J.L.J.; Lupon, A.; Margenat, H.; Morin, S.; Navarro, E.; Ribot, M.; Riis, T.; Schmitt-Jansen, M.; Tlili, A.; Martí, E.
Source Titel Freshwater Science
Year 2022
Department BIOTOX
Volume 41
Issue 3
Page From 442
Page To 458
Language englisch
Topic T9 Healthy Planet
Keywords biofilm; fluvial ecosystem; microplastic; microbial assemblage; transient storage; trophic transfer
Abstract Plastics, especially microplastics (<5 mm in length), are anthropogenic polymer particles that have been detected in almost all environments. Microplastics are extremely persistent pollutants and act as long-lasting reactive surfaces for additives, organic matter, and toxic substances. Biofilms are microbial assemblages that act as a sink for particulate matter, including microplastics. They are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems and provide key services that promote biodiversity and help sustain ecosystem function. Here, we provide a conceptual framework to describe the transient storage of microplastics in fluvial biofilm and develop hypotheses to help explain how microplastics and biofilms interact in fluvial ecosystems. We identify lines of future research that need to be addressed to better manage microplastics and biofilms, including how the sorption and desorption of environmental contaminants in microplastics affect biofilms and how microbial exchange between microplastics and the biofilm matrix affects biofilm characteristics like antibiotic resistance, speciation, biodiversity, species composition, and function. We also address the uptake mechanisms of microplastics by consumers and their propagation through the food web.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26392
Guasch, H., Bernal, S., Bruno, D., Carney Almroth, B., Cochero, J., Corcoll, N., Cornejo, D., Gacia, E., Kroll, A., Lavoie, I., Ledesma, J.L.J., Lupon, A., Margenat, H., Morin, S., Navarro, E., Ribot, M., Riis, T., Schmitt-Jansen, M., Tlili, A., Martí, E. (2022):
Interactions between microplastics and benthic biofilms in fluvial ecosystems: Knowledge gaps and future trends
Freshw. Sci. 41 (3), 442 - 458 10.1086/721472