16S rRNA microplastic and natural stone microbial biofilms in the Quinnipiac River Watershed

This project aimed to examine microbial community differences in an anthropogenically-introduced substrate with that of stone typically found in the environment, as well as the influence of waterbody impairment. To answer these questions, we sought first to determine possible preferential E. coli/non-E. coli coliform colony accumulation in the microplastic substrate over the stone and second, assign biofilm microbial diversity to the lowest taxonomic level to further describe the substrate communities based on alpha and beta diversity indices. It was hypothesized that the polypropylene microplastic will form a distinct biofilm different from that of the stone substrate at the impaired sampling site compared to the non-impaired site, thus increasing the role of biofilm attachment in polluted waters.