A functional gene-array analysis of microbial communities settling on microplastics in a peat-draining environment

Concerns about microplastic pollution arise from the rafting potential of these durable particles which potentially propagate harmful chemicals and bacteria across wide spatial gradients. The bacterial communities usually persist on the microplastics over a long period and eventually the genetic expression of those communities may change. These changes hold ecological importance as it has direct impact on the natural cycles and regulation of several compounds. This study looks at how the genetics of whole microbial communities in a river are affected when exposed to microplastics.