A Study on Degradation of Microplastics using Aquatic Microorganisms

Abstract

High-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP) account for more than half of plastic consumption, and their microplastic particles resist natural decomposition in the environment, causing a major threat. In this study, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were examined to determine their potency to decompose selected microplastics. It was found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa achieved the highest degree of weight loss for HDPE (40.40 %), LDPE (32.80 %), and PP (10.90 %), respectively. The secondary products produced after the decomposition of microplastics were identified by GCMS, and various simple alkanes, oxidation products, and carboxylic acid were formed. This research suggests that microplastics can be degraded without a chemical process, presenting an eco-friendly method for remediation.