Preliminary observation of bacterial biofilm communities on plastic litters and their surface degradation in two coastal areas of Tuticorin, India

The accumulation of plastic litter in the marine environment is a growing ecological concern. Microorganisms can create biofilm on surface litters making them more hazardous. Although plastics are difficult to biodegrade, they act as substrate for microorganism attachment. To investigate this problem, coated such covers, films and ropes were collected randomly from Muthunagar Inigonagar Tuticorin coastal areas analysed using FTIR-ATR. spectra obtained demonstrate presence Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS) Polyamide (PA). concentration formed higher compared area. Investigations also conducted into bacterial development surrounding water sediment. Several communities including human pathogens namely Faecal coliform, E. coli, Salmonella sp., Streptococcus Staphylococcus Pseudomonas Bacillus Klebsiella Vibrio sp. found be associated with litters. We confirmed weathering by carbonyl vinyl peaks formation. According Carbonyl Index values exhibit degree degradation areas. present study could provide significant baseline information both pollution composition