Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2028
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are common contaminants in urban streams, where MPs are colonized by microbial biofilms. This study tested whether pharmaceuticals adsorb onto MPs and alter microbial biofilm communities. Polyester fibers were added to twelve laboratory stream mesocosms, and a subset received seven pharmaceuticals at environmentally relevant concentrations. After 15 days, MP and water samples were collected. HPLC confirmed the adsorption of all pharmaceuticals onto MPs. Amplicon sequencing revealed that pharmaceutical exposure did not significantly change bacterial or algal diversity or community composition on MPs or in stream water. The lack of effect may reflect the low pharmaceutical concentrations or the short experimental duration.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
John J. Kelly, PhD, Biology
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Potential Interactions Between Pharmaceuticals and Microbial Biofilms on Microplastic Surfaces
Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are common contaminants in urban streams, where MPs are colonized by microbial biofilms. This study tested whether pharmaceuticals adsorb onto MPs and alter microbial biofilm communities. Polyester fibers were added to twelve laboratory stream mesocosms, and a subset received seven pharmaceuticals at environmentally relevant concentrations. After 15 days, MP and water samples were collected. HPLC confirmed the adsorption of all pharmaceuticals onto MPs. Amplicon sequencing revealed that pharmaceutical exposure did not significantly change bacterial or algal diversity or community composition on MPs or in stream water. The lack of effect may reflect the low pharmaceutical concentrations or the short experimental duration.