Mini review on plastisphere: exploring biodiversity, risks, and biodegradation potential and their impact on aquatic ecosystem health

Abstract

Plastic pollution represents a critical global challenge with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human health. Microbial colonization of plastics, collectively referred to as the plastisphere, gives rise to distinct biofilm communities that alter biodiversity, influence ecosystem functioning, and facilitate the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These interactions pose significant ecological and public health risks by facilitating the transfer of ARGs to human pathogens and compromising the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments. At the same time, plastisphere-associated microorganisms harbor enzymatic pathways capable of degrading plastics, offering a promising "green" strategy for bioremediation. However, progress is limited by the small database of characterized plastic-degrading enzymes, insufficient molecular tools for genetic engineering, and an incomplete understanding of microbial interactions. Novel interdisciplinary approaches integrating molecular biology, advanced sequencing, enzyme discovery pipelines, and ecological risk assessment are essential to unlock the plastisphere's potential for sustainable biodegradation while addressing biosafety concerns. Such efforts could transform the plastisphere from a pollution risk into a resource for mitigating plastic waste and protecting aquatic ecosystems.