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Nadimi H, Mortezazadeh F, Javid A, Dehghani M. The Role of Microbial Biofilms and Hydrolytic–Oxidative Enzymes in the Biodegradation of Soil Microplastics: Recent Advances, Emerging Strategies, and Future Challenges. J Environ Health Eng 2026; 14 :45-65
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1161-en.html
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1161-en.html
1- , h_nadimi@razi.tums.ac.ir
Abstract: (3 Views)
Background: Soil contamination by microplastics (MPs) poses a serious threat to terrestrial ecosystem health and global food security, with soil acting as one of the primary sinks for these pollutants. Given the limited large-scale efficacy of conventional physicochemical remediation methods, this systematic review aims to comprehensively examine microbial bioremediation mechanisms—fungal, bacterial, and those mediated by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)—in MP-contaminated soils, while identifying key research gaps.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was performed across the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for studies published between 2010 and January 2025, using keywords related to microbial degradation of MPs in soil ecosystems. After screening 152 initial records and removing duplicate and irrelevant entries, 34 key articles meeting the inclusion criteria—experimental studies focused on enzymatic and microbial mechanisms in soil—were selected for in-depth analysis.
Results: The findings indicate that fungi (e.g., Aspergillus spp.) rely on oxidative enzymes such as laccase and peroxidase, whereas bacteria (e.g., Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp.) employ hydrolytic enzymes (lipase, esterase) together with biofilm formation to depolymerize recalcitrant polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene. PGPR appear to serve a dual function, contributing to MP degradation while also enhancing plant nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. Nevertheless, a substantial gap remains between laboratory-scale efficacy and field-scale performance, largely attributable to environmental variables such as soil pH, moisture fluctuations, and microbial competition.
Conclusion: Microbial bioremediation appears to be a promising approach with comparatively lower environmental impact than chemical remediation methods for addressing soil MP pollution, although its scalability and long-term stability require further empirical validation. Future research should prioritize the development of engineered microbial consortia, optimization of rhizosphere conditions, and long-term field trials to more accurately determine the practical applicability of this technology for soil pollution management.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was performed across the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for studies published between 2010 and January 2025, using keywords related to microbial degradation of MPs in soil ecosystems. After screening 152 initial records and removing duplicate and irrelevant entries, 34 key articles meeting the inclusion criteria—experimental studies focused on enzymatic and microbial mechanisms in soil—were selected for in-depth analysis.
Results: The findings indicate that fungi (e.g., Aspergillus spp.) rely on oxidative enzymes such as laccase and peroxidase, whereas bacteria (e.g., Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp.) employ hydrolytic enzymes (lipase, esterase) together with biofilm formation to depolymerize recalcitrant polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene. PGPR appear to serve a dual function, contributing to MP degradation while also enhancing plant nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. Nevertheless, a substantial gap remains between laboratory-scale efficacy and field-scale performance, largely attributable to environmental variables such as soil pH, moisture fluctuations, and microbial competition.
Conclusion: Microbial bioremediation appears to be a promising approach with comparatively lower environmental impact than chemical remediation methods for addressing soil MP pollution, although its scalability and long-term stability require further empirical validation. Future research should prioritize the development of engineered microbial consortia, optimization of rhizosphere conditions, and long-term field trials to more accurately determine the practical applicability of this technology for soil pollution management.
Keywords: Microplastics, Soil Bioremediation, Microbial Degradation, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Emerging Contaminants.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/04/18 | Accepted: 2026/07/22 | Published: 2026/08/29
Received: 2026/04/18 | Accepted: 2026/07/22 | Published: 2026/08/29
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