Epilithic biofilm as a potential biomonitor for microplastics contamination in Brantas River of Malang City, Indonesia

Despite being an efficient bioremediation agent, aquatic biofilm's usefulness as a biomonitor has not been explored extensively. This study disclosed the potential of epilithic biofilm as biomonitor by comparing its metagenomics with water quality parameters and microplastic count in Brantas River. Metagenomics showed the epilithic biofilm was dominated by Exiguobacterium, which recognizes and degrades microplastics, along with Rhodobacterium and Rhizobiales. For the first time, biofilm microbes and their respective roles were discovered to correspond to the total microplastic counts in comparison with BOD as the only transgressing physicochemical parameter. Thus, epilithic biofilm is a potential biomonitor for riverine microplastic contaminations.