The plastic-associated microorganisms of the North Pacific Gyre.

摘要: Abstract Microorganisms likely mediate processes affecting the fate and impacts of marine plastic pollution, including degradation, chemical adsorption, colonization or ingestion by macroorganisms. We investigated relationship between plastic-associated microorganism communities factors such as location, temperature, salinity, plankton abundance, concentration, item size, surface roughness, polymer type. Small items from North Pacific Gyre in 2011 were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Bacillus bacteria (mean 1664 ± 247 individuals mm−2) pennate diatoms (1097 ± 154 mm−2) most abundant, with coccoid bacteria, centric diatoms, dinoflagellates, coccolithophores, radiolarians present. Bacterial abundance was patchy, but increased on foamed polystyrene. Diatom rough surfaces at sites high concentrations. Morphotype richness slightly larger fragments, a biogeographic transition occurred diatom groups. Better characterizing this community will aid understanding how it interacts pollution.