Biodegradation of three-ply disposable masks in freshwater using a microbial consortium of <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> and <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i>

Disposable masks, predominantly made from polypropylene, share similar environmental challenges as plastic waste due to their persistence and limited biodegradability. This study evaluates the degradation of three-ply disposable masks in freshwater environments, focusing on the synergistic effects of Enterococcus faecalis and Chlorella vulgaris microorganisms. Four experimental reactors were prepared with varying treatments: freshwater alone, freshwater with E. faecalis, Chlorella vulgaris medium, and a combination of Chlorella vulgaris medium with E. faecalis. Over three months, mask samples were analyzed biweekly using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Results indicated significant morphological and chemical changes in masks exposed to the consortium of E. faecalis and Chlorella vulgaris including increased amorphous structure, reduced crystallinity, and enhanced surface erosion. E. faecalis promoted biofilm formation, increasing microbial activity, while Chlorella vulgaris facilitated oxidative degradation. The combination treatment outperformed single-organism or abiotic controls, demonstrating its potential for enhancing mask biodegradability in aquatic systems. This research provides crucial insights into managing disposable mask waste sustainably, emphasizing the need for further exploration of microbial consortia for plastic waste biodegradation in natural environments.