Metagenomic Analysis of Native Aquatic Microbial Communities and Their Interactions with Plastic Polymers
Location
SU-216
Start Date
1-5-2026 9:20 AM
Department
Biology
Abstract
Microplastic pollution poses a persistent and escalating threat to aquatic ecosystems, where accumulation in the environment has been linked to harmful effects on human health worldwide. While conventional cleanup methods are limited in scale and sustainability, recent studies have shown that certain heterotrophic microbes may possess metabolic pathways capable of degrading plastics. Building on this, we hypothesized that the naturally occurring aquatic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Ideonella sakaiensis, and Bacillus species, may degrade plastic polymers through biofilm formation and enzymatic processes. To test this hypothesis, water samples were collected from urban and suburban Chicagoland sites containing microbial communities already exposed to plastic pollution, and were incubated with polyethylene plastic cut from grocery bags. Our findings displayed visible biofilm development and microbial growth on the polyethylene surface, indicating active colonization and possible enzymatic activity. Exploring these results further, metagenomic sequencing was used to examine the microbial communities associated with each water sample. This analysis may identify taxa that are potential candidates for plastic degradation, along with functional genes associated with biofilm formation, hydrocarbon metabolism, and distinctive enzymatic pathways. By framing plastic polymers as habitats for microbial biofilm formation, this work captures the shifts in community composition and metabolic potential that guide future isolation, functional assays, and enzymatic studies. Together, these findings connect visible biofilm formation with the metabolic potential of plastic-associated microbial communities. This integrated framework provides a foundation for isolating microbes involved in plastic degradation, testing enzyme activity, and developing biologically informed strategies that promote effective bioremediation in aquatic ecosystems.
Faculty Sponsor
Emily Booms
Metagenomic Analysis of Native Aquatic Microbial Communities and Their Interactions with Plastic Polymers
SU-216
Microplastic pollution poses a persistent and escalating threat to aquatic ecosystems, where accumulation in the environment has been linked to harmful effects on human health worldwide. While conventional cleanup methods are limited in scale and sustainability, recent studies have shown that certain heterotrophic microbes may possess metabolic pathways capable of degrading plastics. Building on this, we hypothesized that the naturally occurring aquatic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Ideonella sakaiensis, and Bacillus species, may degrade plastic polymers through biofilm formation and enzymatic processes. To test this hypothesis, water samples were collected from urban and suburban Chicagoland sites containing microbial communities already exposed to plastic pollution, and were incubated with polyethylene plastic cut from grocery bags. Our findings displayed visible biofilm development and microbial growth on the polyethylene surface, indicating active colonization and possible enzymatic activity. Exploring these results further, metagenomic sequencing was used to examine the microbial communities associated with each water sample. This analysis may identify taxa that are potential candidates for plastic degradation, along with functional genes associated with biofilm formation, hydrocarbon metabolism, and distinctive enzymatic pathways. By framing plastic polymers as habitats for microbial biofilm formation, this work captures the shifts in community composition and metabolic potential that guide future isolation, functional assays, and enzymatic studies. Together, these findings connect visible biofilm formation with the metabolic potential of plastic-associated microbial communities. This integrated framework provides a foundation for isolating microbes involved in plastic degradation, testing enzyme activity, and developing biologically informed strategies that promote effective bioremediation in aquatic ecosystems.