Interazioni fra microplastiche e batteri in due siti del mar Tirreno: la campagna SEA PLASTICS 2021

As a first contribute to assess the effect of the collection device and the sampling site on the plastisphere distribution and metabolism, in May 2021 microplastics (MPs) were collected at two coastal Tyrrhenian stations [Gulf of Naples (NA) and Castelsardo (SAR)] at 0 m (using Niskin bottles and Manta net) and in the first 16 m of the water column (0-16 m) using a WP2 Plankton net. A significantly higher abundance of MPs were collected by the Niskin bottle, including also particles <100 µm. Conversely, microbial community showed the highest activity rates in samples collected with the Manta net. Significant differences in the abundance and metabolic properties of plastic-associated bacteria underlined that the collection device, rather than the sampling site, affects the plastisphere assemblage.