The Role of Microbes in Plastic Degradation

2016 ◽  
pp. 355-384
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Degradation

scholarly journals Marine Microbial Assemblages on Microplastics: Diversity, Adaptation, and Role in Degradation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Oberbeckmann ◽  
Matthias Labrenz
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Marine Microorganisms ◽  
Microbial Adaptation ◽  
Artificial Surfaces ◽  
Plastic Degradation

We have known for more than 45 years that microplastics in the ocean are carriers of microbially dominated assemblages. However, only recently has the role of microbial interactions with microplastics in marine ecosystems been investigated in detail. Research in this field has focused on three main areas: ( a) the establishment of plastic-specific biofilms (the so-called plastisphere); ( b) enrichment of pathogenic bacteria, particularly members of the genus Vibrio, coupled to a vector function of microplastics; and ( c) the microbial degradation of microplastics in the marine environment. Nevertheless, the relationships between marine microorganisms and microplastics remain unclear. In this review, we deduce from the current literature, new comparative analyses, and considerations of microbial adaptation concerning plastic degradation that interactions between microorganisms and microplastic particles should have rather limited effects on the ocean ecosystems. The majority of microorganisms growing on microplastics seem to belong to opportunistic colonists that do not distinguish between natural and artificial surfaces. Thus, microplastics do not pose a higher risk than natural particles to higher life forms by potentially harboring pathogenic bacteria. On the other hand, microplastics in the ocean represent recalcitrant substances for microorganisms that are insufficient to support prokaryotic metabolism and will probably not be microbially degraded in any period of time relevant to human society. Because we cannot remove microplastics from the ocean, proactive action regarding research on plastic alternatives and strategies to prevent plastic entering the environment should be taken promptly.

scholarly journals The Potential Role of Marine Fungi in Plastic Degradation – A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emna Zeghal ◽  
Annika Vaksmaa ◽  
Hortense Vielfaure ◽  
Teun Boekhout ◽  
Helge Niemann
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Marine Fungi ◽  
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Plastic Debris ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Marine Realm ◽  
Plastic Degradation ◽  
Marine Plastic Debris

Plastic debris has been accumulating in the marine realm since the start of plastic mass production in the 1950s. Due to the adverse effects on ocean life, the fate of plastics in the marine environment is an increasingly important environmental issue. Microbial degradation, in addition to weathering, has been identified as a potentially relevant breakdown route for marine plastic debris. Although many studies have focused on microbial colonization and the potential role of microorganisms in breaking down marine plastic debris, little is known about fungi-plastic interactions. Marine fungi are a generally understudied group of microorganisms but the ability of terrestrial and lacustrine fungal taxa to metabolize recalcitrant compounds, pollutants, and some plastic types (e.g., lignin, solvents, pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polyurethane, and polyethylene) indicates that marine fungi could be important degraders of complex organic matter in the marine realm, too. Indeed, recent studies demonstrated that some fungal strains from the ocean, such as Zalerion maritimum have the ability to degrade polyethylene. This mini-review summarizes the available information on plastic-fungi interactions in marine environments. We address (i) the currently known diversity of fungi colonizing marine plastic debris and provide (ii) an overview of methods applied to investigate the role of fungi in plastic degradation, highlighting their advantages and drawbacks. We also highlight (iii) the underestimated role of fungi as plastic degraders in marine habitats.

Role of Microbes in Plastic Degradation

2020 ◽  
pp. 281-299
Author(s):  
Garima Singh ◽  
Sonal Yadav ◽  
Kanika Chowdhary ◽  
Satyawati Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Degradation

scholarly journals Role of Microorganisms in the Biodegradation of Plastics

2020 ◽  
pp. 645-650
Keyword(s):  
Social Issue ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Microbial Enzymes ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Plastic Wastes ◽  
Plastic Degradation ◽  
Innovative Approaches

The abundant growing accumulation of plastic wastes has become a severe environmental and social issue. As plastic remains in the environment for decades and centuries, it is very important to develop innovative approaches for the disposal of plastic wastes. Much of the recent research is mainly focussed on the identification of microorganisms and microbial enzymes that can degrade plastic waste. This probably offers new biological treatment strategies for plastic degradation. The current review mainly discusses the role of various microorganisms in the biodegradation of plastics.

Role of dactinomycin in the improved survival of children with Wilms' tumor

JAMA ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 195 (12) ◽  
pp. 1005-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Fernbach
Keyword(s):  
Wilms Tumor

Role of the allergist in diagnosis and management of patients with uveitis

JAMA ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 195 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. Van Metre
Keyword(s):  
Diagnosis And Management

The power of norms to sway fused group members

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnifred R. Louis ◽  
Craig McGarty ◽  
Emma F. Thomas ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot ◽  
Fathali M. Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Anthropology ◽  
Normative Systems ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Identity Fusion ◽  
Group Members

AbstractWhitehouse adapts insights from evolutionary anthropology to interpret extreme self-sacrifice through the concept of identity fusion. The model neglects the role of normative systems in shaping behaviors, especially in relation to violent extremism. In peaceful groups, increasing fusion will actually decrease extremism. Groups collectively appraise threats and opportunities, actively debate action options, and rarely choose violence toward self or others.

Elaborating the role of reflection and individual differences in the study of folk-economic beliefs

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Arceneaux
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Economic Beliefs

AbstractIntuitions guide decision-making, and looking to the evolutionary history of humans illuminates why some behavioral responses are more intuitive than others. Yet a place remains for cognitive processes to second-guess intuitive responses – that is, to be reflective – and individual differences abound in automatic, intuitive processing as well.

The role of affect in feelings of obligation

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefen Beeler-Duden ◽  
Meltem Yucel ◽  
Amrisha Vaish
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Sense Of Obligation

Abstract Tomasello offers a compelling account of the emergence of humans’ sense of obligation. We suggest that more needs to be said about the role of affect in the creation of obligations. We also argue that positive emotions such as gratitude evolved to encourage individuals to fulfill cooperative obligations without the negative quality that Tomasello proposes is inherent in obligations.

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