Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a significant environmental crisis, threatening global
ecosystems and human health. As traditional remediation methods struggle to provide sustainable
solutions, emerging research highlights the potential of microbial and algal degradation to naturally
break down MPs. These biological strategies offer hope for a greener future, leveraging nature’s
own mechanisms to combat plastic waste.
Harnessing Bacteria for Microplastic Degradation
Recent studies have identified indigenous bacterial strains capable of degrading polypropylene
microplastics (PPMP), a commonly used plastic that persists in the environment. Researchers
isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus haemolyticus from landfill leachate
and tested their biodegradation efficiency. The findings were remarkable:
Staphylococcus haemolyticus reduced PPMP weight by 25.46% within 30 days,
significantly outperforming Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which achieved a 7.01% reduction.
Advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques—scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR)—revealed structural changes in the degraded plastics, confirming hydrolysis and
oxidation.
These discoveries highlight the potential of bacteria in safe and effective microplastic
bioremediation, paving the way for future applications in waste management and environmental
restoration.
Polyethylene Degradation in Estuarine Sediments
Another groundbreaking study focused on polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) in the Pearl
River Estuary, China, one of the world's largest estuarine systems. The research uncovered a
direct link between sediment composition and biodegradation rates, with Hongqimen sediments
exhibiting the highest efficiency.
Key findings include:
Pseudomonadaceae emerged as the dominant bacterial family, with genera such as
Pseudomonas, Vulcaniibacterium, Cupriavidus, and Bacillus playing crucial roles in
PE-MP degradation.
Among them, Bacillus strains demonstrated the highest degradation rate, reducing PE-
MP weight by 6.5% in just 40 days.
This study provides compelling evidence that natural microbial communities can break down MPs
in aquatic environments, reinforcing the potential of microbial remediation strategies.
Algae: A Sustainable Approach to Microplastic Removal
Microalgae have emerged as powerful agents for microplastic removal. A recent study evaluated
Chlorella vulgaris, a widely used microalga, for its ability to remove polystyrene (PS)
microplastics from water.
The results were highly promising:
Under optimized conditions, PS removal efficiency reached 73.01%, demonstrating
algae’s potential as a natural filtration system.
Unlike chemical treatments, algae-based remediation offers an eco-friendly, sustainable
alternative to mitigating microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Expanding on this research, another study examined six marine microalgae
species—Picochlorum maculatum, Dunaliella salina, Amphora sp., Navicula sp.,
Synechocystis sp., and Limnospira indica—for their ability to degrade PS MPs.
Key results:
Synechocystis sp. demonstrated the highest degradation efficiency, reducing 23.2% of
PS MPs in just 45 days, with a half-life of 119.34 days.
SEM and ATR-FTIR imaging confirmed biofilm formation, surface erosion, and laccase-
driven enzymatic degradation, highlighting algae’s role in breaking down microplastics.
These findings underscore microalgae’s immense potential in MP biodegradation, prompting
further research into by-product safety, scalability, and industrial applications.
Future Perspectives: From Lab to Large-Scale Solutions
The latest advancements in microbial and algal bioremediation mark a significant step toward
tackling microplastic pollution.
However, to transition these discoveries from laboratory research to real-world applications, several key areas require further exploration:
1. Identifying the Enzymes Involved – Understanding the specific enzymes responsible for
MP breakdown will enable targeted bioengineering for enhanced efficiency.
2. Optimizing Biodegradation Conditions – Research should focus on enhancing microbial
activity in diverse environmental conditions.
3. Scaling Up Industrial Applications – Pilot projects and real-world tests will be crucial to
assess the feasibility of using microbial and algal remediation on a global scale.
4. Evaluating Ecological Impacts – Comprehensive studies are needed to ensure these
biological interventions do not disrupt natural ecosystems.
As research continues, these biological approaches offer a beacon of hope for a cleaner,
healthier planet, transforming microplastic remediation from an insurmountable challenge into a
realistic, nature-based solution.
References
Dubey AP, Thalla AK.
Bioprospecting indigenous bacteria from landfill leachate for enhanced polypropylene microplastics degradation. J Hazard Mater; 2025; doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137139
Yang G, Quan X, Shou D, Guo X, Ouyang D, Zhuang L.
New insights into microbial degradation of polyethylene microplastic and potential polyethylene-degrading bacteria in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, South China.
Lotfigolsefidi F, Davoudi M, Sarkhosh M, Bonyadi Z.
Removal of microplastics by algal biomass from aqueous solutions: performance, optimization, and modeling. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):501; doi:10.1038/s41598-024-84114-8
Gowthami A, Syed Marjuk M, Santhanam P, Thirumurugan R, Muralisankar T, Perumal P.
Marine microalgae - Mediated biodegradation of polystyrene microplastics: Insights from enzymatic and molecular docking studies. Chemosphere. 2025;370:144024. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.144024
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