Microplastics, a complex category of pollutants containing microorganisms and toxins, pose a significant threat to ecosystems, affecting both biotic and abiotic elements. The plastisphere's bacterial community differs significantly from nearby habitats, suggesting they may significantly contribute to the degradation of plastic waste in the ocean. This study evaluated the diversity of culturable bacterial populations attached to the microplastics in the coastal zones of the A&N Islands and their potential for plastic degradation. Three A&N Islands beaches were surveyed for microplastics. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was the most abundant polymer found, followed by Acryl fibre, polyisoprene etc. A total of 24 bacterial isolates were chosen based on their morphological traits and underwent the initial screening processes. With the highest degrading activity (10.79 %), NIOT-MP-52 produced noteworthy results. NIOT-MP-25 (5.07 %), NIOT-MP-43 (3.78 %), NIOT-MP-61 (3.51 %), and NIOT-MP-82 (3.36 %) were the next most active strains. Strain NIOT-MP-52, selected for its superior degradation efficiency, underwent further screening and analysis using FT-IR, SEM, AFM, and DSC. Variations in infrared spectra indicated the breakdown of LDPE while SEM and AFM analyses showed bacterial attachment, roughness, grooves, holes, and pits on the LDPE surface. DSC provided thermal analysis based on the biodegradation potential of the bacterial strain targeting LDPE sheets. These findings highlight the ability of marine bacteria to efficiently degrade microplastics and utilize plastics as an energy source, emphasizing their importance in future plastic waste management. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems readily promote biofilm formation, creating the plastisphere, a dynamic interface that interacts with environmental pollutants and acts as a reservoir for microorganisms. Recent studies emphasize the plastisphere's contribution to the spread of pathogens, antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within aquatic organisms and across diverse environments, a phenomenon collectively called the ‘Plastiome’. Although the prevalence and effects of the plastisphere have been studied extensively, a systematic synthesis of updated insights into the behavior of the plastiome is urgently needed. This review explores the development and behavior of plastics, focusing on its interactions with ARGs and pathogens within aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics selectively enrich ARGs and pathogenic microorganisms, fostering unique microbial communities distinct from those in surrounding waters. The plastiome facilitates horizontal ARG propagation, increasing the quantity of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and presenting substantial risks to the hydrosphere and public health. Additionally, key research opportunities are identified and strategies are recommended to advance our understanding of plastiome-driven antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.