https://www.beautyofplanet.com/the-untapped-potential-of-the-amazons-plastic-eating-mushroom/

And now, scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed an artificial “worm gut” that also eats plastics.

By studying the gut bacteria of Zophobas atratus worms — commonly known as superworms — researchers discovered microbes capable of digesting plastic. These worms naturally consume plastic, but their slow feeding rate makes large-scale use impractical.

To address this, the NTU team isolated the plastic-degrading bacteria from the worms’ guts and created an artificial system that accelerates plastic biodegradation without relying on live worms.

This breakthrough could revolutionize plastic waste management by providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposal methods.

Unlike chemical processes that generate harmful byproducts, this biological approach mimics nature to safely break down plastic waste. If scaled successfully, the artificial worm gut could significantly reduce plastic pollution in landfills and oceans.

Learn more and see them in action: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/detail/artificial-worm-gut-breaks-down-plastics

Squid-based biodegradable sponge removes 99.9% of microplastics from water
The new sponge method is promising, but challenges such as properly disposing of absorbed microplastics remain a critical issue.
https://interestingengineering.com/science/squid-based-sponge-removes-microplastics?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=article_post&fbclid=IwY2xjawHUrTtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVAT_Bo6Z6vSz3i-eLWwGgzu6jTCRzSkp0IEb8vgEqAJdEQTbLBrd3LOvQ_aem_WrFSK5_XtHeZYnvBL_UH9g

Microplastics have become a global environmental issue. These tiny particles are found everywhere, from the highest peaks of Mount Everest to the deepest ocean trenches. They exist in bottled water, human placentas, and even breast milk.

Their presence in the environment harms wildlife, disrupts ecosystems, and poses a potential risk to human health.

Removing these pollutants has proven to be a challenge, but scientists in China have developed a new solution that could make a significant difference.

The creation of a biodegradable sponge
A team of researchers from Wuhan University in China has designed a sponge that could potentially help remove microplastics from water sources. Made from squid bones and cotton, the sponge uses two natural materials known for their pollution-eliminating properties. Squid bones provide chitin, while cotton offers cellulose, both of which are organic compounds that can absorb contaminants from water.

The sponge was tested in four different types of water samples, including irrigation water, pond water, lake water, and seawater. The results were promising: it removed up to 99.9% of microplastics in the samples.

One study from 2020 estimated that 14 million metric tons of microplastics are sitting on the ocean floor, highlighting the vast scale of the issue.

Microplastics have been described as “one of this generation’s key environmental challenges.” These small particles persist in the environment, harming wildlife and polluting the oceans. As plastic production and pollution are expected to rise in the coming years, the situation is only going to worsen.

Even with global efforts to reduce plastic consumption, studies suggest that 710 million metric tons of plastic could still contaminate the environment by 2040.

Given the urgency of the situation, researchers are working hard to find viable solutions to remove these pollutants from water. The sponge developed by Wuhan University shows promise as an affordable and scalable solution. It works by physically capturing microplastics and also using electromagnetic attraction to absorb them.

Potential and challenges of the squid-cotton sponge
The sponge’s potential lies in its low cost and the widespread availability of squid bones and cotton, which makes it an attractive option for large-scale use. Previous methods for removing microplastics, such as synthetic sponges made from starch and gelatin, have faced challenges in terms of cost and efficiency. The Wuhan sponge, however, stands out because it is both effective and biodegradable, providing a more sustainable solution.

However, she pointed out that the study did not address whether the sponge could remove microplastics that have sunk to the sediment, which represent the majority of microplastics in aquatic environments.

Ziajahromi also raised concerns about the proper disposal of the sponges once they have absorbed microplastics. While the sponge material itself is biodegradable, the microplastics it collects need to be disposed of carefully to avoid transferring them to another ecosystem.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn8662

Researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University found roughly 240,000 detectable plastic fragments in a typical liter of bottled water. The study was published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

About 10% of the detected plastic particles were microplastics, and the other 90% were nanoplastics. Microplastics are between 5 millimeters to 1 micrometer; nanoplastics are particles less than 1 micrometer in size. For context, a human hair is about 70 micrometers thick.

Researchers find a massive number of plastic particles in bottled water
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1223730333/bottled-water-plastic-microplastic-nanoplastic-study

Bottled water contains thousands of nanoplastics so small they can invade the body’s cells, study says
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/08/health/bottled-water-nanoplastics-study-wellness/index.html

Jos juot pullovettä, juot sen mukana muovia. Uusi tutkimus kuitenkin osoittaa, että yhdessä pullossa vettä voi olla jopa satojatuhansia nanomuovihiukkasia, joita ei aiemmin ole havaittu. Nanomuovit ovat paljaalle silmälle näkymättömiä muovipalasia, joiden paksuus on vain noin viideskymmenesosa ihmishiuksen paksuudesta.

Koska vesipullot valmistetaan yleensä PET-muovista, ei ollut yllättävää, että myös sitä löytyi vesinäytteistä. Sitäkin enemmän löytyi kuitenkin polyamidia eli nailonia. Tutkijat uskovat sen kulkeutuvan veteen muovisuodattamista, joilla pullotettava vesi puhdistetaan.