In an encouraging discovery, an international group of marine scientists has identified a marine fungus capable of breaking down plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This finding, detailed in a study published in the journal Science of the Total Environmentoffers new perspectives in the fight against plastic pollution.
The Discovery of the Mushroom Parengyodontium Album
The fungus, called Parengyodontium album, was found among the thin layers of other microbes that live around the accumulation of floating plastic in the northern Pacific Ocean. This is the fourth known marine fungus capable of consuming and decomposing plastic waste.
Fungus’s Ability to Decompose Plastics
According to the study, the P. album is especially effective at breaking down polyethylene exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, the type of plastic most commonly used in consumer products such as water bottles and grocery bags. UV light is already known to mechanically break down plastic, but the study led by Annika Vaksmaa of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Marine Research (NIOZ) shows that it also facilitates biological degradation by marine fungi.
Implications of the Discovery
We must not let our guard down
Although the finding is encouraging, it does not mean that we should increase the use of disposable plastics. Our oceans are saturated with destructive plastic pollutants, and reducing plastic use remains the best strategy to prevent plastic waste from harming marine life and the environment.
Challenges in Mitigating Plastic in the Oceans
Eliminating plastic already present in the oceans is not a simple task. Collecting plastic with large nets can disturb marine life and is costly and often ineffective. Therefore, the identification of a fungus that accelerates the degradation of plastic is a significant advance, although not a definitive solution.
Under laboratory conditions, the P. album decomposes a piece of UV-treated plastic at a rate of approximately 0.05% per day over a nine-day period. Although this rate is slow, it suggests that more organisms with similar capabilities may be yet to be discovered.
The discovery of P. album It is a positive step forward in the battle against plastic pollution. Scientists believe there may be more species of marine fungi capable of breaking down plastics. As Vaksmaa said, “It is likely that in addition to the four species identified so far, other species also contribute to plastic degradation.«.
As we continue to discover more about these plastic-decomposing organisms, it is crucial to maintain our efforts to reduce plastic use and seek sustainable solutions. Nature continues to show us innovative ways to address our environmental challenges, but our responsibility to protect and preserve our planet remains paramount.
Via Biodegradation of polyethylene by the marine fungus Parengyodontium album – ScienceDirect
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