Microbial communities on plastic particles in surface waters differ from subsurface waters of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113949
• Publication Date: 2022-08-03T18:32:06Z
• Authors: Annika Vaksmaa; Matthias Egger; Claudia Lüke; Paula Dalcin Martins; Riccardo Rosselli; Alejandro Abdala ...; Helge Niemann
• Keywords: Plastic pollution; Bathyal zone

The long-term fate of plastics in the ocean and their interactions with marine microorganisms remain poorly understood. In particular, role sinking plastic particles as a transport vector for surface microbes towards deep sea has not been investigated. Here, we present first data on composition microbial communities floating suspended recovered from to bathypelagic water column (0-2000 m depth) North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Microbial community differed that afloat at surface. However, both compartments, diversity hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria was identified. These findings indicate members initially are quickly replaced by acquired deeper layers, thus suggesting limited efficiency vertically