Plastic and terrestrial organic matter degradation by the humic lake microbiome continues throughout the seasons - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Plastic and terrestrial organic matter degradation by the humic lake microbiome continues throughout the seasons

Authors: Vesamäki, Jussi S.; Laine, Miikka B.; Nissinen, Riitta; Taipale, Sami J.

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication year: 2024

Journal: Environmental Microbiology Reports

Journal name in source: Environmental microbiology reports

Journal acronym: Environ Microbiol Rep

Article number: e13302

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

eISSN: 1758-2229

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.13302

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.13302

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/456804254

Abstract

Boreal freshwaters go through four seasons, however, studies about the decomposition of terrestrial and plastic compounds often focus only on summer. We compared microbial decomposition of ¹³C-polyethylene, ¹³C-polystyrene, and ¹³C-plant litter (Typha latifolia) by determining the biochemical fate of the substrate carbon and identified the microbial decomposer taxa in humic lake waters in four seasons. For the first time, the annual decomposition rate including separated seasonal variation was calculated for microplastics and plant litter in the freshwater system. Polyethylene decomposition was not detected, whereas polystyrene and plant litter were degraded in all seasons. In winter, decomposition rates of polystyrene and plant litter were fivefold and fourfold slower than in summer, respectively. Carbon from each substrate was mainly respired in all seasons. Plant litter was utilized efficiently by various microbial groups, whereas polystyrene decomposition was limited to Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria. The decomposition was not restricted only to the growth season, highlighting that the decomposition of both labile organic matter and extremely recalcitrant microplastics continues throughout the seasons.

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Environ Microbiol Rep - 2024 - Vesamäki - Plastic and terrestrial organic matter degradation by the humic lake microbiome.pdf

Funding information in the publication:
This research was funded by the Kone Foundation grant (201905367) and the Academy of Finland grant (333564) awarded to S.J.T.