About this Research Topic
The field of Environmental Science has recently turned its focus towards the pervasive issue of plastic pollution, particularly the fragmentation of plastic waste into micro-(nano-)plastics (MNPs). The United Nations Environment Assembly's resolution to develop a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution underscores the urgency of this problem. MNPs, due to their minuscule size, can infiltrate biological systems, crossing cell membranes and even the blood-brain barrier, leading to various detrimental effects. While the physical toxicity of MNPs has been extensively documented, there is a growing interest in understanding the interactions between MNPs, new related contaminants such as PPD-Q and PFAS, and the microbial communities that colonize these particles, known as the plastisphere. Current studies have begun to explore these interactions, but significant gaps remain in our understanding of the biodiversity, composition, and ecological roles of these microbial communities, as well as their potential effects on the aging and degradation of MNPs.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between MNPs, new pollutants, and the microbial species that inhabit the plastisphere. Specifically, it seeks to investigate the biodiversity, formation processes, and mechanisms of biofilm on MNPs, and how these factors influence the degradation of plastics. Additionally, the Topic will explore the relationships between MNPs and novel contaminants in various environmental compartments, as well as the impact and risk of these interactions on biotic systems, including plants and animals. By addressing these questions, the Topic aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the negative impacts of MNPs and related substances, thereby informing better management and mitigation strategies.
To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Occurrence, fate, and ecotoxicity of MNPs, other new related contaminants, and microbial communities on plastics in environmental and biological samples.
• The species, formation processes, and mechanisms of biofilm on plastics or MNPs.
• Relationships between MNPs and new contaminants in environmental compartments.
• Relationships between MNPs and microbial species in environmental compartments.
• Impact and risk of MNPs, new contaminants, and microbial communities in plant or biological samples.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between MNPs, new pollutants, and the microbial species that inhabit the plastisphere. Specifically, it seeks to investigate the biodiversity, formation processes, and mechanisms of biofilm on MNPs, and how these factors influence the degradation of plastics. Additionally, the Topic will explore the relationships between MNPs and novel contaminants in various environmental compartments, as well as the impact and risk of these interactions on biotic systems, including plants and animals. By addressing these questions, the Topic aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the negative impacts of MNPs and related substances, thereby informing better management and mitigation strategies.
To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Occurrence, fate, and ecotoxicity of MNPs, other new related contaminants, and microbial communities on plastics in environmental and biological samples.
• The species, formation processes, and mechanisms of biofilm on plastics or MNPs.
• Relationships between MNPs and new contaminants in environmental compartments.
• Relationships between MNPs and microbial species in environmental compartments.
• Impact and risk of MNPs, new contaminants, and microbial communities in plant or biological samples.
Keywords: Microplastic, Nanoplastic, Microbial Communities, Potential Ecotoxicity, Fate, Impact
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
