Potential planetary health impacts of the airborne plastisphere


Contact
Melanie.Bergmann [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Microplastics are a ubiquitous yet long-overlooked component of airborne particulate matter. The surface of these plastic particles provides a unique niche for microorganisms, collectively known as the plastisphere. The plastisphere in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems harbors microbial communities with distinct compositions, structures, and functional profiles, posing potential planetary health risks. The characteristics, fate, and impacts of the microbiome associated with airborne microplastics, however, remain largely unknown. In this review, we fill the knowledge gaps by exploring how airborne microplastics serve as key habitats for microorganisms and the potential planetary health implications. We show that microplastics are expected to carry and sustain microorganisms over long distances and timescales in air, potentially dispersing pathogens, antibiotic-resistance genes, and other bioactive agents across ecosystems. These interactions may perturb ecological processes and biological health on a planetary scale. Interdisciplinary research and innovative methodologies are urgently required to better understand and mitigate the airborne plastisphere risks.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
60354
DOI 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101446

Cite as
Li, C. , Jin, L. N. , Bank, M. S. , Fan, C. , Gillings, M. R. , Zhao, T. , Han, Y. , Chen, T. , Gao, M. , Zhu, D. , Chen, Q. , Zhu, G. , Wang, J. , Wang, L. , Liu, J. , Yuan, X. , Huang, Q. , Wang, X. , Jahnke, A. , Brahney, J. , Allen, S. , Arp, H. P. H. , Oberbeckmann, S. , Bergmann, M. , Pointing, S. B. , Zhang, D. and Rillig, M. C. (2025): Potential planetary health impacts of the airborne plastisphere , One Earth, p. 101446 . doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101446


Download
[thumbnail of Lin_et_al_2025.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Lin_et_al_2025.pdf - Other

Download (5MB) | Preview

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Research Platforms
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item