Chemical and microbiological changes on the surface of microplastic after long term exposition to different concentrations of ammonium in the environment

In this study, a long-term experiment was conducted in a reactor operated in continuous mode, as opposed to the commonly conducted short-term experiments that use batch tests. The objective was to investigate the development and changes of the microbial community on the surface of MP at different concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, and in particular, to identify microorganisms capable of biodegradation of PET. The study also assessed how the microbial activity changed the chemical structure of MP and the potential of MP to serve as a vector transporting nutrients and pathogens to the aquatic environment.