4:15 PM - 4:30 PM
[HCG19-03] Microplastic Pollution in the Mangrove Rhizosphere: Distribution, Characterization, and Microbial Degradation Potential for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
Keywords:Microplastics, Mangrove Rhizosphere, Plastic-Degrading Bacteria, Metagenomics, Ecosystem Pollution
The growing prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment poses a significant threat to ecosystem health, particularly in coastal and intertidal regions. Mangrove forests, functioning as critical ecological buffers, are increasingly vulnerable to MPs contamination. This study investigates the distribution, characteristics, and potential microbial degradation of MPs within the rhizospheric sediment of the Xinfeng Mangrove Reserve Forest, Taiwan. The research analyzed MPs abundance, size, shape, color, and polymer types, alongside an assessment of the microbial communities and the presence of plastic-degrading genes. Results indicate a substantial presence of MPs in both Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina rhizospheres, with films as the dominant type, followed by fragments, pellets, fibers, and foams. Most MPs were within the 0–500 µm range, heightening their bioavailability to lower trophic organisms. Transparent MPs were predominant, suggesting degradation and fragmentation processes, whereas colored MPs were linked to diverse anthropogenic sources. Microbial community analysis revealed significant enrichment of plastic-degrading bacteria and genes, highlighting their potential role in MPs degradation. These findings provide new insights into MPs pollution dynamics in mangrove ecosystems and emphasize the need for targeted mitigation strategies, including microbial approaches for plastic degradation. Further research is recommended to isolate and characterize specific plastic-degrading bacteria, with the goal of enhancing bioremediation applications for sustainable environmental management.