Scientists Discover Marine Microorganisms That Munch on Plastic
Kyle Farquharson — March 30, 2011 — Eco
References: nature & treehugger
Microorganisms that feast on plastic are the latest discovery by biologists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. What remains to be seen is whether the news is cause for celebration or concern.
Viewed through an electron microscope, each microscopic scrap of plastic is "a reef of biological activity," says Dr. Tracy Mincer of the Woods Hole team. In fact, the polyethylene particles appear to provide the basis for a minuscule ecosystem, which scientists have termed the "plastisphere."
Plastic abounds in oceans around the planet, notably in the North Pacific Ocean, and the North Atlantic's Sargasso Sea, where confluent currents have gathered enormous patches of detritus. It does eventually break down in open water. The problem is, rather than degrading in a healthy way, the hydrocarbon tends to sheer into smaller pieces -- a concern for sea turtles and numerous other forms of marine life.
Next, researchers at Woods Hole aim to find out whether the plastic-eating bacteria are digesting (and perhaps de-toxifying) the debris, or introducing contaminants into the food chain through the consumption process.
Viewed through an electron microscope, each microscopic scrap of plastic is "a reef of biological activity," says Dr. Tracy Mincer of the Woods Hole team. In fact, the polyethylene particles appear to provide the basis for a minuscule ecosystem, which scientists have termed the "plastisphere."
Plastic abounds in oceans around the planet, notably in the North Pacific Ocean, and the North Atlantic's Sargasso Sea, where confluent currents have gathered enormous patches of detritus. It does eventually break down in open water. The problem is, rather than degrading in a healthy way, the hydrocarbon tends to sheer into smaller pieces -- a concern for sea turtles and numerous other forms of marine life.
Next, researchers at Woods Hole aim to find out whether the plastic-eating bacteria are digesting (and perhaps de-toxifying) the debris, or introducing contaminants into the food chain through the consumption process.
Trend Themes
1. Plastic-eating Microorganisms - The discovery of microorganisms that feed on plastic presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in waste management and environmental remediation.
2. Plastisphere Ecosystem - The formation of a microscopic ecosystem on plastic particles opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in bioengineering and biotechnology.
3. Impact of Plastic Pollution - The concern over the degradation of plastic into smaller pieces highlights the need for disruptive innovation in sustainable packaging and alternative materials.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - The discovery of plastic-eating microorganisms creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation in waste management processes, such as developing bioremediation techniques.
2. Biotechnology - The exploration of the plastisphere ecosystem can drive disruptive innovation in biotechnology, including bioengineering microorganisms for various applications.
3. Packaging - The issue of plastic pollution underscores the need for disruptive innovation in the packaging industry, such as the development of sustainable packaging materials and solutions.
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