MICROWORLD PUERTOS

MICROWORLD PUERTOS identifies microorganisms capable of biodegrading micro- and nanoplastics in the waters of the Port of Tarragona and La Pineda beach, through the analysis of plastic-degrading microbial strains.

These strains are identified from plastic debris found in the waters and beaches of Tarragona to ensure they are well adapted to local Mediterranean conditions.

In addition, the study assesses the potential toxicity of plastics through experimental, microbiological, and bioinformatic models.

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental concerns today, as microplastic polymers are persistent, widespread, and can affect ecosystems and human health by entering food chains and carrying other pollutants.

In Spain, microplastic pollution has increased exponentially, making it the second-largest contributor of plastic waste to the Mediterranean. Traditional plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) degrade very slowly under natural conditions.

However, studies of the plastisphere (the ecosystem surrounding plastic materials) enable the exploration of the microbial biodegradation potential of plastic polymers, opening new pathways to mitigate this environmental issue.

Eurecat’s Nutrition and Health Unit uses experimental models to evaluate the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on health, in addition to identifying microorganisms capable of degrading them.

This project is carried out in collaboration with the MicroWorld Consortium, which includes the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of Turku (Finland), and Tohoku University (Japan).