In the last decade, the environmental problems of microplastics have been occupied a large place in world scientific researches. The unbreakable property of these particles causes their rapid accumulation in the environment. Their micro and millimetric sizes let them be distributed over the world in a way almost uncontrollable. Works are still multiplying in the identification of the source and nature, in the fate and effects of the microplastics on the different ecosystems. The accumulation of this debris in our ecosystem is a serious problem in the way of their distribution and migration: from the aquatic to the terrestrial ecosystem, all food web class will be affected. Different solutions for escaping their over distribution in the world have been studied. However, the biodegradation of these tiny particles seems the perfect solution for their disappearance from our environments. Studies seem slowly progressed because of different types of microplastics and the unknown mechanism of most of the microorganisms on the surface of microplastics. This review is a synthesis of works done in microplastics by offering a good comprehension of microplastics source, effects, and biodegradation in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Researchers will have to expand their working fields by approaching to the extreme ecosystems such as caves in the hope of finding microorganisms capable of producing enzymes that could serve in complete degradation of this debris.
Health issue and pollution of the environment are mainly caused by using chemicals and synthetic materials. This issue incites scientists to research for new biological compounds beneficial to human being. Caves, being extreme environments might be potential sources of these compounds. Actinobacteria, one of the main groups that are colonizing these environments, are known to contribute most of natural bioactive compounds. To investigate the potential uses of Parsik Cave Actinobacteria, identification of this group of isolates and the investigation of their secreted biological compounds constituted the principal aim of our study. The identification was achieved by sequencing 16S rRNA genes of 41 selected bacteria in which 28 species were identified as Actinobacteria. Microbacterium (21%), Pseudoarthrobacter (14%) were the most identified Actinobacteria genera. Antimicrobial effects of the isolates P1 and P16 were observed against standard microorganisms like Candida albicans. The GC-MS analysis of their broth shown antimicrobials, antioxidants, anticancer, and unknown compounds. PKS and NRPS were amplified respectively in 32.1 % and 53.5% of the identified Actinobacteria while their 25% have been both NRPS and PKS amplified. Amylase, gelatinase, cellulase, DNase, urease, and casein hydrolysing activities were observed in the identified Actinobacteria. Our results show that Actinobacteria from Parsık Cave might be good sources of industrial and biotechnological compounds. Furthermore, discover of new bioactive compounds from these bacteria is promising due to many unknown compounds observed in the GC-MS analysis and the high % of NRPS/PKS genes amplification.
Microorganisms are distributed everywhere even in extreme environments such as caves. The underground surfaces are minerals rich and the life in there is found to be related to both biotic and abiotic factors. Because the cycle of these minerals is insured by the chemolithotrophs living in there. In addition, caves are considered to be important reservoirs of bioactive compounds. However, caves are entered for different reasons. Some of the cavers are of scientific research, some of them are for recreational reasons like sports and simple cave visits. All these activities are thought to impacts the visible mat and invisible colonies of microorganisms through mechanical force or importing exogenous microorganisms. This study summarizes the different impacts which can be caused by the different human activities in caves. Finally, perspectives of the conservation of the cave microbial structure are suggested for the further uses of caves.
Some microorganisms identified in cave ecosystems have been reported to play a permanent and significant role for maintaininglife in such environments. Human entrance into caves can induce some changes on cave physic-ochemical parameters which altimately affects the living organisms. In this regard, for the first time, Morca Cave was explored to evaluate the impacts that human activities may have on the microbial diversity of the cave in a limited period of time. During this expedition at a depth of 1040 m, a camp was established for four days. Before the installation and at the end of the camp, sediments and surface samples were taken from different points of the camp area and the area around it. Sequencing of 16s rRNA of each sample was performed using the next generation sequencing method. The profile of the microbial diversity before the camping reaveled that Thermoplasmata dominated the archaea group and Gamma- and Alpha-proteobacteria were the most dominant bacterial group. After the camp, a decrease in the microbial diversity especially the previously mentioned classes strains is observed at the most of the sampled areas. The results also showed that Bacilli strains significantly increased after the camp and increase of Bacteroidia strains is observed at the most active sampled areas. This present study therefore highlights how microbial diversity inside a closed cave can respond to the human activities within a short period. Furthermore, it may constitute a solid basis to support efforts targeted at improving technics for cave management and expedition for the conservation of cave nature.
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