August 08, 2025

"Plastisphere: The Ecosystem of Plastics" by Meththika Vithanage, Adil Bakir, Nicole R. Posth – How Microplastics Are Reshaping Marine Life, Soil, and Human Health

5 minutes

📖 Want to dive deeper? Get the book on Amazon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we dive into the emerging science of the plastisphere—a unique ecosystem of microbial communities thriving on plastic debris across marine, freshwater, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments. Based on a collection of expert sources, we explore how biofilms form on plastic surfaces, influencing plastic degradation, nutrient cycling, and the spread of contaminants.

The episode highlights the pervasive distribution and biological impacts of microplastics, from disrupting aquatic and soil ecosystems to threatening human health through the food chain. We also discuss the potential of antimicrobial resistance genes and pathogens hitching rides on plastic particles, raising serious public health concerns. Finally, we examine innovative solutions to plastic pollution, such as bioremediation techniques, microbial degradation, and advanced wastewater treatment technologies aimed at reducing environmental and biological risks.

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#Plastisphere #Microplastics #PlasticPollution #EnvironmentalScience #MarineEcology #Bioremediation #PlasticDegradation #HumanHealth #PathogenSpread #WastewaterTreatment #ClimateImpact #EcoHealth #Sustainability #AntimicrobialResistance #SoilHealth #OceanPollution

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