Biodegradation and biotransformation of pollutants and their impact on microbial biodiversity

The research will focus on the study of biodegradation and biotransformation processes of polymeric pollutants and of persistent (micro)pollutants having low molecular weight, such as chemicals used as plastic additives or frequently found adsorbed on plastics in the environment. The study will focus mainly on the marine environment (water and bottom sediment). The biodegradation/biotransformation processes will be investigated both in terms of (bio)chemistry (degradation rate, products formed) and microbiology (identification and characterization of microbes responsible for the degradation process); the effects of the process on the microbial communities colonizing the surrounding environment will be also evaluated, with the aim to investigate the potential impact of the contaminants on biodiversity, also in relation to the effects of climate change, and to identify strategies to minimize it.