Project:

Microbial community metabolism in plastispheres of Newtown Creek, a long tributary of the East River in NYC

Students:

Sophia Hidalgo, Taiyo Perlman, Kyle Wong

Institution:

LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Queens

Mentors:

Thomas Onorato

Abstract:

Plastic pollution is an issue that plagues the current world today, and a by-product is generation of microplastics (MPs), including nanoplastics. MPs provide environments for the formation of a biofilm, in which bacteria and other microorganisms attach themselves. They serve as a shelter, allowing for bacteria to flourish, and create ecosystems known as a plastispheres. Plastispheres absorb antibiotics and form a biofilm, providing bacteria with a hospitable environment. This allows the development of antibiotic resistance within the bacteria, which poses an environmental threat. In urban settings, plastispheres are likely to accumulate in soil, waterways, and even air, introducing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other harmful microorganisms into these environments. Newtown Creek is a 3.8-mile waterway located between Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. It serves as a boundary between the two boroughs and connects to the East River. Historically, this creek was home to dozens of i

Poster:

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