Temporal dynamics of bacterial community in expanded polystyrene microplastics

The Leizhou Bay area between Donghai Island and Nanping Island in Zhanjiang is the marine aquaculture base, with abalone breeding base, prawn breeding base, shellfish breeding base, high-quality fish base, etc. EPS foam products are widely used here, and broken foam boxes, foam boards and foam particles can be seen everywhere in seawater, shore and beach. There is a lack of research on the distribution characteristics of bacterial communities on the surface of MPs and seawater in this sea area, especially the long-term dynamic changes of bacterial communities. To illustrate the temporal dynamic change rules of biofilms on MPs in seawater environment and the potential risks to marine organisms, this study would be carried out three aspects: (1) analyze the dynamic changes of bacterial community diversity and composition in EPS MP biofilms; (2) reveal the potential pathogenic bacteria and metabolic function of EPS MPs; (3) explore the impact and potential risks of MP biofilms on marine organisms.