Article
Environmental Sciences
Shrikant D. Khandare, Doongar R. Chaudhary, Bhavanath Jha
Summary: The study found that marine bacteria have promising evidence of PVC degradation, with the ability to form biofilms on the PVC surface, leading to weight loss and changes in mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of PVC films after biodegradation.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hisayuki Nakatani, Yuina Ohshima, Taishi Uchiyama, Suguru Motokucho, Anh Thi Ngoc Dao, Hee-Jin Kim, Mitsuharu Yagi, Yusaku Kyozuka
Summary: Various tiny plastic particles were studied using SEM/EDX analysis to prepare reference microplastics. Most of the particles were composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Standard laboratory weathering methods took a long time to reproduce the composition, but seawater significantly improved the degradation process.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yvan Baldera-Moreno, Valentina Pino, Amelia Farres, Aparna Banerjee, Felipe Gordillo, Rodrigo Andler
Summary: The strong environmental impact of plastic pollution has led to research from various perspectives. The mathematical modeling of the biodegradation kinetics of solid materials is challenging due to the numerous influential variables and the interdependence of microorganisms with internal and external factors. This review summarizes the biochemical fundamentals of plastics involved in biodegradation processes and presents various mathematical models and experimental studies, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview and serve as a reference for future research.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreas Eich, Miriam Weber, Christian Lott
Summary: The seafloor is a major sink for plastic debris, including biodegradable polymers. Sediment grain size influences the degradation rate of biodegradable plastics, with finer sediments promoting faster degradation due to higher bacterial abundance. Different sediments from various beaches can impact the disintegration rates of biodegradable plastics differently.
Article
Environmental Sciences
La Daana K. Kanhai, Hamish Asmath, Judith F. Gobin
Summary: Plastic pollution is a persistent issue in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME), originating from land and marine-based sources. Rivers and oceanic currents play important roles in the transport of plastic debris. Plastic debris poses a threat to the biodiversity of the CLME with specific negative effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bijeesh Kozhikkodan Veettil, Nguyen Thuy An Hua, Dong Doan Van, Ngo Xuan Quang
Summary: Vietnam is ranked fourth in the world for marine plastic pollution and is facing a serious environmental issue. This study investigates the current situation of coastal and marine plastic pollution in Vietnam, including the sources, sinks, and solutions. Mangroves, dunes, subsoil, seagrass meadows, and deep oceans are identified as major sources and sinks of plastic litter. To tackle this problem, actions such as cleaning up litter, preventing further waste, enforcing legislation, community education, and penalties for litter dumping are essential, as well as implementing proper waste management strategies at local and regional levels.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ozge Ozden, Sinem Yildirim, Wayne J. Fuller, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: The study found that plastic bags, plastic pieces, drinks containers, and caps/lids are the main sources of coastal marine litter in the Eastern Mediterranean region, indicating that the marine litter problem here is mainly due to dumping and lack of effective waste management measures.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jayla M. Blanke, Michael K. Steinberg, James P. Donlevy
Summary: This study conducted beach transect surveys on 7 islands in Belize to investigate marine debris prevalence, with most of the litter being plastics associated with urban sources. It provides a novel baseline for future studies in the region and highlights the need for continued efforts to shift away from single-use plastic and styrofoam products in Belize's economy.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre, Carlos Ivan Pizarro-Ortega, Diana Carolina Dioses-Salinas, Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, Williams Ramos, Victor Pretell, Victor Vasques Ribeiro, Italo Braga Castro, Sina Dobaradaran
Summary: Beaches in the Anthropocene are burdened with human-derived pollution, with new forms of plastic formations being described and documented, including plasticrusts, plastiglomerates, and pyroplastics. The study in Peru provided evidence of these formations and suggested a new plasticrust formation pathway based on plastic burning and filling of rock crevices with molten plastic.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Sang Lyeol Kim, Hyung Gon Lee, Yosup Park, Ok Hwan Yu
Summary: Pollution associated with marine debris is a global concern that disrupts wildlife and local economies. This study focused on the impact of submerged marine debris on macrobenthic fauna in sandy and rocky habitats, revealing different dominant species and biomass in the presence of debris. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the effects of marine debris on ecosystems and identifying affected benthic species.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sameh Samir Ali, Tamer Elsamahy, Eleni Koutra, Michael Kornaros, Mostafa El-Sheekh, Esraa A. Abdelkarim, Daochen Zhu, Jianzhong Sun
Summary: The accumulation of plastic waste is recognized as a critical environmental challenge globally, prompting the search for alternative solutions such as biodegradation. However, limited knowledge exists on the mechanisms and efficiency of plastic biodegradation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tawany de Mello Souza, Rodrigo Brasil Choueri, Caio Rodrigues Nobre, Denis Moledo de Souza Abessa, Beatriz Barbosa Moreno, Jose Herelis Carnauba, Gabriel Izar Mendes, Ana Cecilia Rizzatti de Albergaria-Barbosa, Fabio Ruiz Simoesc, Paloma Kachel Gusso-Choueri
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of B[a]P and low-density polyethylene microplastics (MPs), both individually and in mixture. The results showed that the toxicity increased with increasing B[a]P concentration, while microplastics alone did not cause toxicity. The presence of microplastics reduced the effects of B[a]P on sea urchin development and biomarkers in mysids, possibly due to the adsorption of B[a]P to the surface of microplastics.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Zhuang Yao, Hyeon Jeong Seong, Yu -Sin Jang
Summary: The invention and widespread use of plastics have brought convenience to modern life but also caused serious environmental issues. Current disposal methods are expensive and unsustainable, hence research is increasingly focusing on the biodegradation of plastics like polyethylene.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emily M. Duncan, Annette C. Broderick, Kay Critchell, Tamara S. Galloway, Mark Hamann, Colin J. Limpus, Penelope K. Lindeque, David Santillo, Anton D. Tucker, Scott Whiting, Erina J. Young, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: The ingestion of plastic by marine turtles is widespread, with small juvenile turtles being most at risk. Studying stranded and bycaught specimens from Australia, Pacific Ocean, and Western Australia, Indian Ocean, it was found that plastic ingestion is prevalent in all species, with a higher incidence in the Pacific Ocean compared to the Indian Ocean.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fadi Yaghmour, Marwa Al Bousi, Halima Al Naqbi, Brendan Whittington-Jones, Clara Jimena Rodriguez-Zarate
Summary: The study found that both green sea turtles and loggerhead sea turtles stranded along the eastern coast of the Sharjah Emirate in the UAE frequently ingest high quantities of marine debris, especially plastics. Green sea turtles are more likely to ingest soft items like threads and sheets, while loggerheads are more likely to ingest hard items. Additionally, younger green sea turtles were found to ingest the greatest amount of marine debris based on quantity, frequency, and nature.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Eric R. Hester, Annika Vaksmaa, Giampiero Vale, Stefano Monaco, Mike S. M. Jetten, Claudia Luke
Summary: This study compared the bacterial and archaeal communities in experimental field plots under continuously flooding (CF) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) management. The results showed that AWD treatment significantly affected the root communities, while the bulk soil communities were more resilient.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jaap S. Sinninghe Damste, Yuki Weber, Jakob Zopfi, Moritz F. Lehmann, Helge Niemann
Summary: Isoprenoidal glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (isoGDGT) lipids are mainly derived from archaea in the water column of Lake Lugano, Switzerland. The concentration of isoGDGTs, particularly Crenarchaeol, is higher in deeper waters below the thermocline. The distribution of isoGDGTs in surface sediments indicates downward transport from the water between the thermocline and the anoxic hypolimnion. The composition of isoGDGTs in surface sediments of other (peri-)alpine lakes varies based on lake size.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thandiwe Semumu, Amparo Gamero, Teun Boekhout, Nerve Zhou
Summary: In the era of increasingly complex consumer lifestyles, the conventional baker's yeast is facing some issues, prompting the need to search for alternative yeasts. Through evolutionary engineering, potential alternative baker's yeasts were identified and their baking traits were improved. The evolved yeasts showed improved ability to withstand baking associated stresses and produced bread with higher loaf volume.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rasmus Kroger Hare, Amir Arastehfar, Soren Rosendahl, Arezoo Charsizadeh, Farnaz Daneshnia, Hamid Eshaghi, Hossein Mirhendi, Teun Boekhout, Ferry Hagen, Maiken Cavling Arendrup
Summary: Candida parapsilosis is a common cause of candidemia in certain geographical areas and among children. However, the proportion of cases varies among children in different regions. This study found no evidence of clonal outbreaks in the pediatric ward in Iran, but highlighted the importance of using appropriate discriminatory methods for outbreak investigation.
Article
Microbiology
Rashmi Fotedar, Mark Chatting, Anna Kolecka, Aisha Zeyara, Amina Al Malki, Ridhima Kaul, Sayed J. Bukhari, Mohammed Abdul Moaiti, Eric J. Febbo, Teun Boekhout, Jack W. Fell
Summary: This report presents the first investigation of yeast biodiversity in the coastal waters surrounding Qatar. The study found a diverse pool of yeast species, including opportunistic human pathogens and pollution indicator yeast species. The community structure and density of yeasts were influenced by various physico-chemical factors.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Mycology
Nalin N. Wijayawardene, Alan J. L. Phillips, Diana Santos Pereira, Dong-Qin Dai, Andre Aptroot, Josiane S. Monteiro, Irina S. Druzhinina, Feng Cai, Xinlei Fan, Laura Selbmann, Claudia Coleine, Rafael F. Castaneda-Ruiz, Martin Kukwa, Adam Flakus, Patricia Oliveira Fiuza, Paul M. Kirk, Kunhiraman C. Rajesh Kumar, Ilesha S. Ieperuma Arachchi, Nakarin Suwannarach, Li-Zhou Tang, Teun Boekhout, Chen Shuhui Tan, R. P. Prabath K. Jayasinghe, Marco Thines
Summary: Asexually reproducing fungi play significant roles in ecosystems and have implications for plant and animal health, food production, biotechnology, and medicine. However, the diversity and extent of asexually reproducing taxa are not well-known. Recent reports suggest that there may be more asexual fungi than sexually-reproducing ones. Evaluating the diversity of different types of fungi, such as speciose and pleomorphic taxa, as well as those from less studied life modes and biodiversity-rich areas, is necessary to obtain more reliable estimates.
Article
Microbiology
Guangyi Su, Jakob Zopfi, Helge Niemann, Moritz F. Lehmann
Summary: This study has demonstrated the occurrence of anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in the anoxic sediments of Lake Sempach in Switzerland, and identified multiple groups of methanotrophic bacteria and oxidants supporting AOM. However, electron acceptors previously reported to support AOM did not enhance methane turnover in the sediments under anoxic conditions. Addition of oxygen, on the other hand, significantly increased methane oxidation. The study also found that facultative aerobic methanotrophs can grow under anoxic conditions, which has important implications for future investigations on methane oxidation processes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthias Egger, Britte Schilt, Helen Wolter, Thomas Mani, Robin de Vries, Erik Zettler, Helge Niemann
Summary: This study provides water column profiles of plastic concentration and ratios of plastic to plankton in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean, indicating the potential harm of plastic pollution to marine organisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cobus M. M. Visagie, Teun Boekhout, Bart Theelen, Jan Dijksterhuis, Neriman Yilmaz, Keith A. A. Seifert
Summary: A new species of the yeast genus Blastobotrys was discovered in house dust, with similar species detected globally in various substrates. The new species, Blastobotrys davincii, was classified based on morphological, phylogenetic, and physiological characters. The preferred name for the new species is still under debate, but Blastobotrys is argued to be more suitable than Trichomonascus. A nomenclatural review and accepted species list for Blastobotrys/Trichomonascus clade were also provided.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annalisa Delre, Maaike Goudriaan, Victor Hernando Morales, Annika Vaksmaa, Rachel Tintswalo Ndhlovu, Marianne Baas, Edwin Keijzer, Tim de Groot, Emna Zeghal, Matthias Egger, Thomas Rockmann, Helge Niemann
Summary: Ocean plastic pollution is a growing problem, but the actual amount of plastic at the sea surface is lower than expected. UV radiation can induce photodegradation, resulting in the release of dissolved organic carbon and other gases. Based on their findings, the authors conclude that solar UV radiation may have already degraded a significant percentage of floating plastic in the ocean.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Parisa Badiee, Teun Boekhout, Pardis Haddadi, Rasoul Mohammadi, Abdolkarim Ghadimi-Moghadam, Jafar Soltani, Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi, Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi, Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh, Kambiz Diba, Ali Reza Salimi-Khorashad, Maneli Amin Shahidi, Fatemeh Ghasemi, Hadis Jafarian
Summary: This study evaluated the antifungal activities of eight antifungal agents against Candida species isolated from 10 university hospitals in Iran. The most frequently isolated species were Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Caspofungin and voriconazole were found to be the most effective antifungal agents for treating Candida infections in the region.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anita E. Nwaefuna, Teun Boekhout, Mar Garcia-Aloy, Urska Vrhovsek, Nerve Zhou
Summary: Yeasts associated with dung beetles, such as Meyerozyma and Pichia, are diverse and abundant. The study on dung beetles in Botswana revealed that their guts provide a rich niche for non-Saccharomyces yeast species. This research contributes to the understanding of the diversity of dung beetle-associated yeasts.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Annika Vaksmaa, Simon Guerrero-Cruz, Pooja Ghosh, Emna Zeghal, Victor Hernando-Morales, Helge Niemann
Summary: Advancements in chemical, medical, cosmetic, and plastic producing industries have led to improved agricultural yields, health, and overall human life. However, the release of numerous chemicals into terrestrial and aquatic environments has resulted in devastating effects for ecosystems. Bioremediation, particularly mycoremediation by fungi, is a promising strategy to address this pollution. Fungi possess metabolic capabilities to break down complex molecules, making them effective degraders of organic matter. This article focuses on mycoremediation of emerging pollutants in aquatic environments, discussing the ability of fungi to break down pesticides, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and mitigate heavy metal pollution. Enzyme-based mycoremediation strategies are also highlighted.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Estifanos Hawaz, Mesfin Tafesse, Anteneh Tesfaye, Solomon Kiros, Dereje Beyene, Gessesse Kebede, Teun Boekhout, Marizeth Groenwald, Bart Theelen, Ayantu Degefe, Sisay Degu, Alene Admasu, Biru Hunde, Diriba Muleta
Summary: The purpose of this study was to optimize fermentation parameters to create favorable conditions for bioethanol production from sugar-rich substrates. The response surface method based on central composite design was used to determine the optimal conditions. The results confirmed the feasibility of achieving high ethanol yield using these conditions. The study demonstrated that the response surface method with central composite design is an effective approach for bioethanol production from molasses.
ANNALS OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Muhammed Fatih Sert, Helge Niemann, Eoghan P. Reeves, Mats A. Granskog, Kevin P. Hand, Timo Kekalainen, Janne Janis, Pamela E. Rossel, Benedicte Ferre, Anna Silyakova, Friederike Grundger
Summary: Hydrothermal vents can modify and transport dissolved organic matter (DOM) into the ocean, potentially contributing significantly to the oceanic DOM pool. This study investigates the dynamics of DOM in relation to hydrothermal venting in the unexplored Aurora hydrothermal vent field in the Arctic Ocean. The results show that hydrothermal processes can influence the distribution of DOM in the deep ocean, while surface and mesopelagic layers are mainly governed by microbial carbon pump dynamics and surface-ocean-sea-ice interactions.