The plastisphere: a detailed overview of how microbial communities vary across space and time in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean
This study provides the most comprehensive analysis of microbial communities (the "plastisphere") colonizing plastics across the Mediterranean Sea (France and Italy) and the Atlantic Ocean (Brazil, Ireland and Spain). Using standardized methods and eDNA, it shows how location, plastic type, and time affect microbial diversity, including potential degraders and pathogens—offering key insights for tackling ocean plastic pollution.