The Role of Biodegradation In The Preventing Plastic Pollution

Abstract

Plastics reach the environment and, naturally break down into microplastics (MPs) with a diameter of less than 5 mm and nanoplastics (NPs) with a maximum diameter of less than 1000 nm due to processesincluding biological metabolism, UV light, and mechanical abrasion. The primary sources of microplastics encompass exfoliating soaps, face cleansers, foams, cigarette butts, microfibers from clothing, indoor dust, nappies, toothpaste, caps, cutlery, food containers, and seafood. These products are derived from fossil fuels or unrefined natural resources and ultimately disposed of in landfills or unregulated waste sites, hence exacerbating environmental damage. Conventional plastic production and waste management methods contribute to climate change by amplifying the release of greenhouse gases. Research on plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments, and the enzymatic biodegradation of plastics have become increasingly significant. This review article seeks to present a comprehensive and recent overview of the ongoing research on the metabolic activities of microorganisms, specifically bacteria and fungi, and their ability to break down plastic waste through biodegradation.

Keywords

• Microplastics
• Nanoplastics
• Plastic Removal
• Plastic Degradation

Plastik Kirliliğinin Önlenmesinde Biyodegradasyon Sürecinin Yeri

Abstract

Çevreye karışan plastikler doğal süreçlerle (biyolojik metabolizma, UV ve mekanik aşınma gibi) ayrışma ve bozunmaya uğramakta ve çapı 5 mm’den küçük mikroplastiklere (MP’lere) ve çapı maksimum 1000 nm’den küçük olan parçacıklara ayrılarak nanoplastiklere (NP’lere) dönüşmektedir. Mikroplastiklerin temel kaynakları arasında peeling sabunlar, yüz temizleyiciler, köpükler, sigara izmaritleri, giysi mikrofiberleri, iç mekan tozları, bebek bezi, diş macunu, kapaklar, çatal bıçak takımları gıda kapları ve deniz ürünleri gibi kaynaklar bulunmaktadır. Bu ürünlerin çoğu fosil yakıtlardan veya işlenmemiş hammaddelerden üretilmekte ve çöplüklere veya kontrolsüz atıklara karışarak çevre kirliliğini arttırmaktadır. Geleneksel plastik üretimi ve atık yönetimi süreçleri, sera gazı emisyonlarını artırarak iklim değişikliğine neden olmaktadır. Özellikle denizlerde veya okyanuslarda görülen plastik kirliliği üzerine yapılan çalışmalar ve plastiklerin enzimler tarafından biyolojik olarak parçalanmasıyla ilgili araştırmalar önem kazanmıştır. Bu derleme makalesi bakteriler, funguslar gibi mikroorganizmaların metabolik süreçleri ile plastik atıkların biyolojik bozunması üzerine mevcut araştırmalara güncel bir genel bakış sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Mikroplastik
• Nanoplastik
• Plastik degredasyonu
• Plastik giderimi

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