Scientists in Hawaii are training ‘hungry’ marine fungi to eat ocean plastics
Researchers are training ‘mighty’ marine fungi to quickly eat polyurethane, one of our most common plastics.
In a world that relies on plastic, the time it takes to break down is a major problem. But scientists at the University of Hawaii have found a possible solution - marine fungi.
Plastic is the biggest ocean pollutant and plastic surfaces are the fastest growing habitat in this environment. Now researchers have discovered a species of fungi around the island of O'ahu that is eating polyurethane plastic.
They are investigating whether the fungi could be an innovative way to recycle and remove plastic from nature. Initial research looks promising.
Image: Wietse Jongsma, Unsplash
