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Effect of microplastics on fusion strain F14 during phenanthrene degradation
Received:August 04, 2020  
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KeyWord:microplastics;phenanthrene;fusion strain;biodegradation;extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
ZHOU Chang-xin School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China  
HOU Bin School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China  
GUO Xue-tao College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China  
GAO Qiao School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China  
LIU Yi-xuan School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China  
LU Jing School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China lujing@nuc.edu.cn 
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Abstract:
      This study examined the effect of polyethylene microplastics(PE-MPs)on the degradation of phenanthrene by the fusion strain F14. Scan electron microscopy(SEM)analysis showed obvious depressions in the cell and the concentration of extracellular polymeric substances increased significantly after the addition of PE-MPs. The results of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) spectroscopy used to characterize the chemical composition of the cell surface showed that after exposure to PE-MPs, the absorption intensities of carbohydrates, polysaccharides, and amides on the surfaces of the cells in the strains changed, and the relative contents of protein, nucleic acid, and polysaccharides increased significantly. The cell reactive oxygen species(ROS)test showed that with the increase in the concentration of PE-MPs and the extension of culture time, the reactive oxygen content in the F14 cells gradually decreased. The PE-MPs particle sizes had no significant effect on the production of ROS in cells. The presence of PE-MPs within the test concentration and particle size range promoted the degradation of phenanthrene by the fusion strain F14 instead of degrading it. It is speculated that the PE-MPs acted as carriers and increased the chance of contact between F14 and phenanthrene. At the same time, however, the presence of PE-MPs may have caused a stress response in F14 strain cells, prompting them to secrete extracellular polymers that may have improved the degradation of phenanthrene.