Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
Environ Pollut. 2023 Dec 1;338:122691. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122691. Epub 2023 Oct 3.
Increasing pollution of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has caused widespread concern worldwide. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are natural organic polymers mainly produced by microorganisms, the major components of which are polysaccharides and proteins. This review focuses on the interactions that occur between EPS and MPs/NPs in the water environment and evaluates the effects of these interactions on the behaviors of MPs/NPs. EPS-driven formation of eco-corona, biofilm, and "marine snow" can incorporate MPs and NPs into sinking aggregates, resulting in the export of MPs/NPs from the upper water column. EPS coating greatly enhances the adsorption of metals and organic pollutants by MPs due to the larger specific surface area and the abundance of functional groups such as carboxyl, hydroxyl and amide groups. EPS can weaken the physical properties of MPs. Through the synergistic action of different extracellular enzymes, MPs may be decomposed into oligomers and monomers that can enter microbial cells for further mineralization. This review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of MPs and NPs in the water environment and the associated ecological risks.
微塑料（MPs）和纳米塑料（NPs）的污染日益加剧，引起了全球广泛关注。胞外聚合物（EPS）是由微生物产生的天然有机聚合物，主要成分是多糖和蛋白质。本综述重点介绍了 EPS 与水环境中的 MPs/NPs 之间的相互作用，并评估了这些相互作用对 MPs/NPs 行为的影响。EPS 驱动的生态冠、生物膜和“海洋雪”的形成可以将 MPs 和 NPs 纳入下沉聚集体中，导致 MPs/NPs 从上层水柱中输出。由于 EPS 具有更大的比表面积和丰富的羧基、羟基和酰胺等功能基团，因此极大地增强了 MPs 对金属和有机污染物的吸附。EPS 可以削弱 MPs 的物理性质。通过不同胞外酶的协同作用，MPs 可能会分解为低聚物和单体，这些低聚物和单体可以进入微生物细胞进行进一步的矿化。本综述有助于全面了解 MPs 和 NPs 在水环境中的动态及其相关的生态风险。
