A1 Journal article (refereed)
Biodegradation of microplastic in freshwaters : a long‐lasting process affected by the lake microbiome (2022)

Taipale, S. J., Vesamäki, J., Kautonen, P., Kukkonen, J. V. K., Biasi, C., Nissinen, R., & Tiirola, M. T. (2022). Biodegradation of microplastic in freshwaters : a long‐lasting process affected by the lake microbiome. Environmental Microbiology, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16177

JYU authors or editors

Taipale, Sami
Vesamäki, Jussi
Nissinen, Riitta
Tiirola, Marja

Publication details

All authors or editors: Taipale, S. J.; Vesamäki, J.; Kautonen, P.; Kukkonen, J. V. K.; Biasi, C.; Nissinen, R.; Tiirola, M. T.

Journal or series: Environmental Microbiology

ISSN: 1462-2912

eISSN: 1462-2920

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 16/08/2022

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16177

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82786

Abstract

Plastics have been produced for over a century, but definitive evidence of complete plastic biodegradation in different habitats, particularly freshwater ecosystems, is still missing. Using 13C-labeled polyethylene microplastics (PE-MP) and stable isotope analysis of produced gas and microbial membrane lipids, we determined the biodegradation rate and fate of carbon in PE-MP in different freshwater types. The biodegradation rate in the humic-lake waters was much higher (0.45±0.21% per year) than in the clear-lake waters (0.07±0.06% per year) or the artificial freshwater medium (0.02±0.02% per year). Complete biodegradation of PE-MP was calculated to last 100-200 years in humic-lake waters, 300-4000 years in clear-lake waters, and 2000-20000 years in the artificial freshwater medium. The concentration of 18:1ω7, characteristic phospholipid fatty acid in Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, was a predictor of faster biodegradation of PE. Uncultured Acetobacterioceae and Comamonadacea among Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, respectively, were major bacteria related to the biodegradation of PE-MP. Altogether, it seems that microbes in the humic lakes with natural refractory polymers have a better ability to decompose PE than in other waters.

Keywords: ecosystems (ecology); aquatic ecosystems; water quality; micro-litter; biodegradation; plastic; polyethylene; polymers; fresh water; humus lakes