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Incomplete degradation of aromatic–aliphatic copolymer leads to proliferation of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights Microplastics are released and accumulated during uncontrolled composting of biodegradable plastics. Aromatic − aliphatic plastics serve as vectors and hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes. The degradation of biodegradable plastics in compost needs to be enhanced to maintain compost quality.
Abstract Biodegradable plastics (BDPs) have attracted extensive attention as an alternative to conventional plastics. BDPs could be mineralized by composting, while the quality of compost affected by the presence of BDPs and the residual microplastics (MPs) has not been well evaluated. This study aimed to explore the MPs release potential and environmental implications of commercial BDPs (aromatic−aliphatic copolymer) films in uncontrolled composting. Results showed that the molecular weight of BDPs decreased by >60% within 60 d. However, the non-extracted organic matter and wet-sieving measurements indicated that MPs continuously released and accumulated during regular composting. The average MPs release potential (0.1–5 mm) was 134.6 ± 18.1 particles/mg (BDPs), which resulted in 103–104 particles/g dw in compost. The plastisphere of MPs showed a significantly higher (0.95–16.76 times) abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which resulted in the rising (1.34–2.24 times) of ARGs in compost heaps, in comparison to the control groups. Overall, BDPs promote the spread of ARGs through the selective enrichment of bacteria and horizontal transfer from released MPs. These findings confirmed that BDPs could enhance the release potential of MPs and the dissemination of ARGs, which would promote the holistic understanding and environmental risk of BDPs.
Incomplete degradation of aromatic–aliphatic copolymer leads to proliferation of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights Microplastics are released and accumulated during uncontrolled composting of biodegradable plastics. Aromatic − aliphatic plastics serve as vectors and hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes. The degradation of biodegradable plastics in compost needs to be enhanced to maintain compost quality.
Abstract Biodegradable plastics (BDPs) have attracted extensive attention as an alternative to conventional plastics. BDPs could be mineralized by composting, while the quality of compost affected by the presence of BDPs and the residual microplastics (MPs) has not been well evaluated. This study aimed to explore the MPs release potential and environmental implications of commercial BDPs (aromatic−aliphatic copolymer) films in uncontrolled composting. Results showed that the molecular weight of BDPs decreased by >60% within 60 d. However, the non-extracted organic matter and wet-sieving measurements indicated that MPs continuously released and accumulated during regular composting. The average MPs release potential (0.1–5 mm) was 134.6 ± 18.1 particles/mg (BDPs), which resulted in 103–104 particles/g dw in compost. The plastisphere of MPs showed a significantly higher (0.95–16.76 times) abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which resulted in the rising (1.34–2.24 times) of ARGs in compost heaps, in comparison to the control groups. Overall, BDPs promote the spread of ARGs through the selective enrichment of bacteria and horizontal transfer from released MPs. These findings confirmed that BDPs could enhance the release potential of MPs and the dissemination of ARGs, which would promote the holistic understanding and environmental risk of BDPs.
Incomplete degradation of aromatic–aliphatic copolymer leads to proliferation of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes
Zhang, Yuchen (author) / Tao, Jianping (author) / Bai, Yudan (author) / Wang, Feng (author) / Xie, Bing (author)
2023-10-24
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Biodegradable plastics , MPs , ARGs , Plastisphere , Compost , Antibiotic resistance genes , ATR , Attenuated total reflectance , BDPs , CK , Control group , DOC , Dissolved organic carbon , DOM , Dissolved organic matte , DTN , Dissolved total nitrogen , GI , Germination index , GPC , Gel Permeation Chromatography , Mn , Number average molecular weight , Microplastics , Mw , Weight average molecular weight , PBAT , Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) , PBSA , Poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) , PCoAs , Principal coordinate analyses , PE , Polyethylene , PES , Polyether sulfone , PLA , Poly (lactide acid) , PS , PU , Polyurethane , PVC , Polyvinyl chloride , RRG , Relative root growth , SDS , Sodium dodecyl sulfate , SEM , Scanning electron microscope , SG , Seed germination rate , St , Starch blends , TOC , Total organic carbon , TN , Total nitrogen , WCA , Water contact angle , WGS , Whole Genome Shotgun
Underestimated Risks of Microplastics on the Environmental Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes
| American Chemical Society | 2023