Effect of microbial communities on bioplastics biodeterioration in wastewater treatment plants

Bioplastics (BPs) have been introduced to replace conventional plastics because of their advantageous properties. BPs are bioderived materials and are presumably biodegradable under specific conditions, e.g. PLA. In contrast, bio-based plastics are made from organic monomers, often non-biodegradable such as PEF. However, the real biodegradability of BPs in natural and industrial environments is still ambiguous to users, producers and the public. Biodeterioration is the crucial first stage to unlock insights into BP biodegradability. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are inhabited with a diverse microbial communities and persistent pollutants, possibly influencing plastics biodeterioration. The goals of this project are to (i) evaluate the composition and functions of WWTPs microbial community in the presence of PEF and PLA, (ii) to understand the impacts of WWTP pollutants (antibiotics, PFAS) on plastics biodeterioration and (iii) to understand role of microbial co-metabolisms in the biodegradation supported by Fe3O4 nanoparticles.