Department of Sciences and Environmental Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Caparica, Portugal
Research Article
Microplastics Affect Microbial-Mediated Detoxification of Mercury in Aquatic Systems
Author(s): Neusa Figueiredo*, Laura Silva, Vasco Branco, Cristina Carvalho and Marta Martins
The coexistence in aquatic systems of chemical and physical contaminants, such as Mercury (Hg) and Micro-plastics (MPs, Ø <5 mm), is an intricate problem. Mercury is well known for its toxicological effects and MPs, due to their polymeric properties, can interact with chemicals, such as Hg, by absorbing them in their surface. Beside this, MPs can act as a surface of attachment for microorganisms. Knowing that, microorganisms are the key player in Hg natural detoxification processes in aquatic systems, the following questions arise: Does the presence of MPs affect microbial-mediated Hg-detoxification? To answer this, Hg-resistant microorganisms were isolated from Hg-contaminated area of the Tagus estuary and the most Hg-resistant strains were selected to assess the effect of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) on the Hg-detoxification process. After up to 5 days of incubation with Hg an.. View More»
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