Microbial Biofilms as a Mechanism for Metal Sorption on Plastic Debris

Heavy metals from the water column accumulate onto weathered plastic debris to a greater extent than onto virgin plastic. Hypothesized mechanisms that drive this process include oxidation by ultraviolet light, precipitation of metal ions onto the surface of the plastic, and biofilm growth. We provide the first example of research quantifying how biofilms influence metal sorption onto plastic debris. We conducted laboratory experiments to find out whether or not the presence of biofilms increases the sorption capacity of plastic debris, and also performed in situ experiments in the San Francisco Bay to compare low-density polyethylene, polylactic acid, and glass as substrates for fouling and metal sorption. This research reveals the potential for plastic debris to act as a vector bringing heavy metals into aquatic food webs relative to other debris materials.