About this Research Topic
Emerging marine environmental contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and plastics/microplastics are widely spread in the marine environment. Plastic utilization has caused a growing environmental problem in all industrial aspects due to the difficult biodegradation of many synthetic plastics such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate which remain in the environment for hundred years. These environmental problems became more critical because of the massive disposal of plastic waste, which negatively affects rivers and oceans’ ecosystems and marine life. On the other hand, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are also toxic and carcinogenic pollutants that are produced as a result of the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials (combustion of coal and oil, natural gas burning, and waste incineration). PAHs are usually present in the atmosphere in the gas phase or associated with particles such as microplastics. PAHs tend to associate with particles rather than dissolve in water because of their hydrophobic nature. The particles (such as polystyrene) adsorb PAHs from the surrounding environment and can be easily ingested by marine vertebrates and invertebrates.
The Research Topic aims to understand the role of microorganisms and/or their products in the degradation of marine contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and plastics/microplastics.
Subjects of interest include but are not limited to:
• Aerobic or anaerobic biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Biosurfactants for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation
• Plastic/microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biodegradation pathways
• Native or alternative chassis for plastic biocatalysts production
• Bioengineering intensification strategies for improving plastic biocatalysts production
• Enzyme immobilization for enhanced biodegradation of plastic/microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
This Research Topic encourages submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles.
The Research Topic aims to understand the role of microorganisms and/or their products in the degradation of marine contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and plastics/microplastics.
Subjects of interest include but are not limited to:
• Aerobic or anaerobic biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Biosurfactants for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation
• Plastic/microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biodegradation pathways
• Native or alternative chassis for plastic biocatalysts production
• Bioengineering intensification strategies for improving plastic biocatalysts production
• Enzyme immobilization for enhanced biodegradation of plastic/microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
This Research Topic encourages submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles.
Keywords: plastic, microplastic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, biosurfactants, enzyme, immobilization, biodegradation, marine life
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
