Biofilms on microplastic particles in the Chesakpeake Bay

Little is known about the acclimation of microbes to different types of microplastic in the estuarine environment. In this study, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and analysis was performed on biofilm samples from three different types of microplastic beads placed in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Bacterial communities associated with microplastic particles and glass bead control were monitored throughout the 28 day incubation time.