Deciphering the plastisphere nexus in biological wastewater treatment: distinct microbial colonization on biodegradable and conventional microplastics

Key Points

• To investigate how microbial communities colonize biodegradable versus conventional microplastics in wastewater treatment facilities.
• Analyzed microbial colonization on biodegradable and conventional microplastics
• Assessed treatment performance impacts in wastewater treatment plants
• Compared microbial community structures using molecular techniques
• Microbial communities differ significantly between biodegradable and conventional microplastics
• Biodegradable microplastics support a diverse microbial population
• Altered treatment performance linked to specific microbial profiles on microplastics