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Validating Biodegradation Rates and Reactions Applying Novel Technologies and Systems Ecology Approaches

Project description

Exploring biodegradable plastics in marine environments

Plastic Marine Debris (PMD) poses a significant threat to the planet, prompting efforts to find eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics. However, understanding the breakdown of plastic in marine environments and its impact on ecosystems remains incomplete. To address this, the ERC-funded ViBRANT-SEA project aims to study the breakdown rates of biodegradable plastics and their additives. It will also create a fish model for toxicity testing and analyse microbial metagenomes from global plastic samples to identify genes and enzymes associated with plastic biodegradation in marine settings. The project plans to use advanced techniques to measure biodegradation rates and develop a marine fish organoid model for toxicity assessment.

Objective

Plastic Marine Debris (PMD) is now considered a planetary boundary threat and the “Plastic Cycle” a biogeochemical cycle. The impacts of single-use plastic litter in marine environments have prompted a search for greener alternatives such as the biodegradable/compostable plastics polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactic acid already being used for consumer goods. The diversity of microbes, their enzymes, and their role in influencing the rates of plastic biodegradation in nature remains poorly characterized – particularly in cold or low-oxygen marine waters and seafloor, where most PMD accumulates. The impact of lag duration, pH, hydrostatic pressure, and potential priority effects of initial microbial colonizers remain vital but unaddressed concerns. In addition, the impact of plastic, its breakdown products, and additives on marine organisms and ecosystems is largely unquantified. Two urgent questions are how long does plastic last in the marine environment and what are the impacts on ecosystems. This technology-enabled project aims to quantify biodegradation rates of biodegradable plastics and plastic-associated additives in the field and under controlled laboratory conditions, and to develop a fish model system for toxicity tests to fill these knowledge gaps. This project will generate novel microbial metagenomes from global plastic samples collected during cruises and from biodegradation experiments to create a comprehensive list of genes and enzymes linked to biodegradation of biodegradable plastic in marine environments. It will be the first to combine in situ respirometry, stable isotope probing, and advanced imaging techniques to measure biodegradable plastic biodegradation rates while visualizing microbe-microbe interactions on the plastic surface, revealing cellular mechanisms occurring during active biodegradation. Finally, it will develop the first marine fish organoid model for consistent and efficient testing of toxicity due to plastics and additives.

Host institution

STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN
Net EU contribution
€ 3 195 068,75
Total cost
€ 3 195 068,75

Beneficiaries (2)