| Title | Plastisphere in lake waters: Microbial diversity, biofilm structure, and potential implications for freshwater ecosystems |
| Abstract | Once dispersed in water, microplastic (MP) particles are rapidly colonised by aquatic microbes, which can adhere and grow onto solid surfaces in the form of biofilms. This study provides new insights on microbial diversity and biofilm structure of plastisphere in lake waters. By combining Fourier Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and high-throughput DNA sequencing, we investigated the microbial colonization patterns on floating MPs and, for the first time, the occurrence of eukaryotic core members and their possible relations with biofilm-forming bacterial taxa within the plastisphere of four different lakes. Through PCR-based methods (qPCR, LAMP-PCR), we also evaluated the role of lake plastisphere as long-term dispersal vectors of potentially harmful organisms (including pathogens) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in freshwater ecosystems. Consistent variation patterns of the microbial community composition occurred between water and among the plastisphere samples of the different lakes. The eukaryotic core microbiome was mainly composed by typical freshwater biofilm colonizers, such as diatoms (Pennales, Bacillariophyceaea) and green algae (Chlorophyceae), which interact with eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes of different trophic levels. Results also showed that MPs are suitable vectors of biofilm-forming opportunistic pathogens and a hotspot for horizontal gene transfer, likely facilitating antibiotic resistance spread in the environments. |
| Source | Environmental pollution (1987) |
| Keywords | Plastisphere; microplastics; freshwater; biofilms; eukaryotic community; antibiotic resistance; pathogens |
| Journal | Environmental pollution (1987) |
| Editor | Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, Barking, Regno Unito |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| Authors | Francesca Di Pippo1, Simona Crognale1, Caterina Levantesi1, Luca Vitanza1, Maria Sighicelli2, Loris Pietrelli3, Stefania Di Vito4, Stefano Amalfitano1, Simona Rossetti1 |
| Text | 470197 2022 Plastisphere; microplastics; freshwater; biofilms; eukaryotic community; antibiotic resistance; pathogens Plastisphere in lake waters Microbial diversity, biofilm structure, and potential implications for freshwater ecosystems Francesca Di Pippo1, Simona Crognale1, Caterina Levantesi1, Luca Vitanza1, Maria Sighicelli2, Loris Pietrelli3, Stefania Di Vito4, Stefano Amalfitano1, Simona Rossetti1 1Water Research Institute, CNR IRSA, National Research Council, Rome, Italy; 2Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development ENEA CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy; 3Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy 4LEGAMBIENTE, Onlus, Rome, Italy. Once dispersed in water, microplastic MP particles are rapidly colonised by aquatic microbes, which can adhere and grow onto solid surfaces in the form of biofilms. This study provides new insights on microbial diversity and biofilm structure of plastisphere in lake waters. By combining Fourier Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy CLSM , Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FT IR and high throughput DNA sequencing, we investigated the microbial colonization patterns on floating MPs and, for the first time, the occurrence of eukaryotic core members and their possible relations with biofilm forming bacterial taxa within the plastisphere of four different lakes. Through PCR based methods qPCR, LAMP PCR , we also evaluated the role of lake plastisphere as long term dispersal vectors of potentially harmful organisms including pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes ARGs in freshwater ecosystems. Consistent variation patterns of the microbial community composition occurred between water and among the plastisphere samples of the different lakes. The eukaryotic core microbiome was mainly composed by typical freshwater biofilm colonizers, such as diatoms Pennales, Bacillariophyceaea and green algae Chlorophyceae , which interact with eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes of different trophic levels. Results also showed that MPs are suitable vectors of biofilm forming opportunistic pathogens and a hotspot for horizontal gene transfer, likely facilitating antibiotic resistance spread in the environments. Preprint https //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749122010909 Articolo in rivista Elsevier Applied Science Publishers 0269 7491 Environmental pollution 1987 Environmental pollution 1987 Environ. pollut. 1987 Environmental pollution 1987 VITANZA LUCA simona.rossetti ROSSETTI SIMONA stefano.amalfitano AMALFITANO STEFANO francesca.dipippo DI PIPPO FRANCESCA simona.crognale CROGNALE SIMONA |
