Bioclues.org, India, Vivekananda Nagar, Kukatpally, 500072 Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India.
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 20;905:167098. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167098. Epub 2023 Sep 17.
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with the potential for adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. These particles originate from the fragmentation of larger plastic items, shedding from synthetic fibers, tire abrasions, and direct release from personal care products and industrial processes. Once released into the environment, microplastics can disrupt ecosystems, accumulate in organisms, cause physical harm, and carry chemical pollutants that pose risks to both wildlife and human health. There is an urgent need to comprehensively explore the multifaceted issue of microplastic pollution and understand microbial degradation to reduce environmental pollution caused by microplastics. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of microplastics, including their types, composition, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as the journey and evolution of microplastic pollution. The impact of microplastics on the microbiome and microbial communities is elucidated, highlighting the intricate interactions between microplastics and microbial ecosystems. Furthermore, the microbial degradation of microplastics is discussed, including the identification, characterization, and culturing methods of microplastic-degrading microorganisms. Mechanisms of microplastic degradation and the involvement of microbial enzymes are elucidated to shed light on potential biotechnological applications. Strategies for reducing microplastic pollution are presented, encompassing policy recommendations and the importance of enhanced waste management practices. Finally, the paper addresses future challenges and prospects in the field, emphasizing the need for international collaboration, research advancements, and public engagement. Overall, this study underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate microplastic pollution and offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in environmental preservation.
微塑料是无处不在的环境污染物，有可能对生态系统和人类健康造成不利影响。这些颗粒来源于较大塑料物品的碎裂、合成纤维的脱落、轮胎磨损以及个人护理产品和工业过程的直接排放。一旦释放到环境中，微塑料会扰乱生态系统，在生物体中积累，造成物理伤害，并携带化学污染物，对野生动物和人类健康构成风险。全面探讨微塑料污染问题以及了解微生物降解以减少微塑料对环境的污染，这是当务之急。本文对微塑料进行了全面探讨，包括其类型、组成、优缺点以及微塑料污染的历程和演变。阐述了微塑料对微生物组和微生物群落的影响，突出了微塑料与微生物生态系统之间的复杂相互作用。此外，还讨论了微塑料的微生物降解，包括微塑料降解微生物的鉴定、特征描述和培养方法。阐明了微塑料降解的机制以及微生物酶的参与，为潜在的生物技术应用提供了启示。提出了减少微塑料污染的策略，包括政策建议和加强废物管理实践的重要性。最后，本文探讨了该领域的未来挑战和前景，强调了国际合作、研究进展和公众参与的必要性。总的来说，这项研究强调了需要齐心协力来减轻微塑料污染，并为从事环境保护的研究人员、政策制定者和利益相关者提供了有价值的见解。
