Plastic-eating bacteria discovered in the ocean
www.sciencedaily.com
Beneath the ocean’s surface, bacteria have evolved specialized enzymes that can digest PET plastic, the material used in bottles and clothes. Researchers at KAUST discovered that a unique molecular signature distinguishes enzymes capable of efficiently breaking down plastic. Found in nearly 80% of ocean samples, these PETase variants show nature’s growing adaptation to human pollution.

If there is a readily accessible hydrocarbon to metabolize, life will evolve a way to metabolize it. Bacteria, fungi, and even some insects have already shown scientists they have figured out how to do this with certain types of plastic. Where does this lead?

One great thing this leads to is an eventual future where microplastics are cleaned up by the tiny organisms beneath our notice. Yay the pollution will clean itself up. Unfortunately, that also means that those hydrocarbons will be broken down, turned into CO2 or Methane, added to the atmosphere. Will this be a significant amount? I am unable to answer.

More startlingly, the other conclusion i draw is that all plastic in the world will someday be food for bacteria, mold, and grubs. Look around and note where you see plastic. It holds our food, it is the siding on some houses, it could be your building’s insulation, it is the insulation on the wires in your house and outside. It holds your car together to varying degrees. It is the structure of many decks, benches, mobility aides etc.

Someday, these items will all be eaten slowly, or perhaps quickly. When will this begin in force? When will it affect our daily lives and health? Will we be able to prepare?

  • stabby_cicada@slrpnk.net
    3·
    2 days ago

    Someday, these items will all be eaten slowly, or perhaps quickly. When will this begin in force? When will it affect our daily lives and health? Will we be able to prepare?

  • Pyr@lemmy.ca
    5·
    3 days ago

    That seems quite fast.

    How long have plastics been around? A century? Less?

    When lignin in wood first evolved and trees became a thing 400 million years ago, it took about 100 million years before fungi evolved the ability to digest it.

    There was 100 million years where wood wasn’t unable to decompose and just sat around or burned, creating all of our coal deposits.

    100 years for something to evolve and decompose plastics seems lightning quick.

    • Dippy@beehaw.orgOP
      2·
      3 days ago

      Well, its possible that the mutations necessary were very close to something they already had. Or very ‘lucky’ mutations happened, interpret that as you will.

  • naught101@lemmy.world
    16·
    5 days ago

    I doubt that plastic in a well maintained state will rot fast. Wood rots quickly in the wild, but can last millennia in controlled conditions (kept clean and dry)

    • poVoq@slrpnk.net
      14·
      4 days ago

      Sure, but often plastic is used precisely because it doesn’t rot when wet for extended periods.