Over the recent decades, global plastic production has grown dramatically due to the huge demands of consumption. As a consequence, large amounts of plastic waste have accumulated in the environment and will be cleaved into microplastics. Due to the low bioavailability, the microplastics will exist in the environment persistently and cause massive environmental stress. Plastic pollution is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns. Recent studies have shown the possibility to obtain degrading microorganisms of microplastics from the natural environment. Some microorganisms can break down microplastics into water and carbon dioxide. This paper reviewed the current research on biodegradation of polyethylene (PE), which is the most abundant microplastic type in the environment, and discussed the quantification methods of the degradation effect. Given that current biodegradation efficiency is relatively limited, further research is required.
Keywords: biodegradation; microplastics; plastic waste; polyethylene (PE); quantification method.