Dangerous Treasure: Sundarbans’ Microbial Plastic-Degraders & AMR Risk

GS 3 – Science and technology

Context
  • A recent study by IISER Kolkata (published in FEMS Microbiology Letters) reveals that microbial communities in the Sundarbans possess genes that can degrade plastics.
  • However, these microbes also carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and metal resistance genes (MRGs), raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Key Findings
  1. Plastic Degradation Potential
  • Sundarbans’ floating bacterial community contains hundreds of genes to degrade multiple plastic polymers.
  • Metagenomic sequencing detected 838 plastic-degrading enzyme (PDE) hits acting on 17 polymers.
  • Most abundant: Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-degradation enzymes → contamination likely from biomedical & industrial sources.
  • Plastic-degrading enzyme abundance peaked during monsoon (nutrient & microplastic influx from rivers).
  1. Link with Antibiotic & Metal Resistance
  • Microbes with PDE genes also carried ARGs and MRGs.
    • Common: Aminoglycoside resistance and zinc resistance genes.
  • Network analysis showed strong associations between PDEs, ARGs & MRGs.
  • Suggests co-selection pressure from plastics, additives, metals & pollutants.
  1. Plastic & Microbes as Hotspots for Resistance
  • Plastics break into microplastics (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 µm), persisting for decades.
  • These particles absorb antibiotics, metals & chemicals, providing surfaces for bacteria to thrive.
  • Microplastics act as hotbeds where resistance genes accumulate & spread via horizontal gene transfer.
Implications
  • Positive:
    • Microbial adaptation shows potential for natural bioremediation of plastic pollution.
    • Could offer eco-friendly solutions to plastic waste management.
  • Negative / Risks:
    • Plastic-degrading microbes may amplify antimicrobial resistance.
    • Deliberate use of such microbes in the environment risks public health.
    • Climate change could accelerate ARG transfer, affecting One Health.
Sundarbans Significance
  • World’s largest mangrove forest, spanning India & Bangladesh.
  • Receives ~3 billion microplastic particles daily via rivers flowing into Bay of Bengal.
  • Serves as a natural laboratory for studying plastic pollution–microbe interactions.
« Prev September 2025 Next »
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930