Bacterial and fungal diversity on bio- and conventional plastics after a simulated marine exposure

This study investigates fungal and bacterial communities associated with plastic surfaces, which normally constitute a large fraction of marine debris, and assess their ecological implication concerning plastic biodegradation. Conventional oil-based polymers (polyethylene) and compostable bioplastic surfaces from carrier bags were analyzed by metabarcoding after a 60-day and 120-day period of exposure in aquariums and mesocosm respectively, simulating marine conditions.

本研究针对通常占海洋垃圾绝大部分的塑料表面相关真菌与细菌群落展开调查，并评估其在塑料生物降解方面的生态学意义。研究将取自购物袋的常规油基聚合物（聚乙烯(Polyethylene)）及可堆肥生物塑料表面，分别置于模拟海洋环境的水族箱中暴露60天、中型实验生态系统(mesocosm)中暴露120天，随后采用宏条形码技术(metabarcoding)完成分析。