Source link : https://earth-news.info/general/plastisphere-provides-a-unique-ecological-niche-for-microorganisms-in-zostera-marina-seagrass-meadows-nature/
A groundbreaking study published in Nature has unveiled the Plastisphere-a newly recognized ecological niche formed by plastic debris within Zostera marina seagrass meadows. This discovery sheds light on how microorganisms colonize and interact with man-made materials in these vital coastal ecosystems. As plastic pollution continues to infiltrate marine habitats, understanding the dynamics of the Plastisphere offers fresh insights into its impact on seagrass communities and the broader marine environment.
Plastisphere Emerges as Critical Habitat for Microbial Communities in Seagrass Meadows
Recent research has illuminated the plastrispheres-microbial biofilm communities colonizing plastic debris-as an unexpected yet vital habitat within Zostera marina seagrass meadows. These artificial substrates serve as micro-ecosystems, fostering diverse populations of bacteria, archaea, and microalgae that differ markedly from those found on natural seagrass surfaces. The plastisphere’s unique physicochemical environment, characterized by altered nutrient dynamics and microhabitat heterogeneity, appears to provide microorganisms with novel niches unavailable elsewhere in the seagrass ecosystem.
Scientists have identified several key functional groups thriving in the plastisphere, which contribute to the overall health and resilience of seagrass meadows by:
- Enhancing nitrogen fixation processes unavailable in native sediment
- Facilitating organic matter degradation…
—-
Author : earthnews
Publish date : 2025-08-11 11:04:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8