Hawaii has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The impressive blue seas, lush jungles and untouched beaches make it a paradise. Also, do you have other unique residents, such as sea turtles, dolphins,…plastics, etc.?
According to a new study at the University of Hawaii (Um) in Manoa, plastic is becoming the most common form of pollution in the ocean, which can be harmful to marine species and their habitat. However, UH researchers have discovered fungi from Hawaii’s coastal environment that may have the ability to break down plastic and close it off. The survey results have been recently published mycologia.
“Plastics in today’s environments have a very long life and are nearly impossible to degrade using existing technologies,” said the research lead author and undergraduate marine biology at UHMānoa College of Natural Sciences. said one Ronja Steinbach. In a press release.
read more: A small robot is fishing for microplastics
Impossible fungi
Marine fungi may be a term you’ve never heard of before. This is likely due to the fact that less than 1% of marine bacteria are known to science.
“Our research highlights as a promising and largely undeveloped group to explore new ways marine fungi can recycle and remove plastic from nature. Those studying fungi in the oceans There are fewer than 1% of the marine bacteria currently described,” Steinbach said in a press release.
In this study, the researchers looked at marine fungi found along Hawaii’s coasts in corals, seaweed, sand and sponge. And they hope that fungi will help break down plastics in the marine environment.
“The fungi have a superpower to eat things other organisms cannot digest (such as trees and chitin), so we tested the fungi from our collection for their digestive capabilities.” Pacific Biosciences Research Center In a press release, Professor of Research and Co-Leader Author.
Hungry fungi
The team exposed the fastest growing fungus to a small dish filled with polyurethane, a common plastic, and looked at whether the fungus consume it and how quickly it consumes it. The team also “evolved experimentally” the fungi, seeing if they grew and consumed more polyurethane, and exposed them to plastic.
“We were shocked that over 60% of fungi collected from the oceans have the ability to eat plastic and turn them into fungi,” Steinbach said in a press release. “We were also impressed by how quickly fungi can adapt. In a relatively short time in just three months, some of the fungi were able to increase their feeding rate by up to 15%. It was very exciting to see.”
The researchers are currently working to see if these marine fungi can break down other forms of plastic, such as polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate. They are also trying to understand, at a molecular level, how these fungi degrade these plastics.
“We want to work with engineers, chemists and oceanologists who can use these findings to be used in real-world solutions to clean beaches and oceans,” Steinbach said in a press release. Ta.
Plastic issues
The advent of plastic has resulted in a huge change in consumers. Plastic is more versatile and not only was it used in items from containers to clothing, but it was much more affordable than previously used materials. But the downfall of plastic is that it doesn’t break easily and can last for thousands of years.
This is why different forms of plastic have found our way into the waterways that include our oceans. Plastic does not break down like other materials, but can break down into small pieces known as microplastics, which can enter our food and drinking water supply.
Beyond that, researchers say these plastics release harmful chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A when exposed to the sun or intense forces, like waves – It can be ingested by marine wildlife. The effects of plastic pollution have not been separated into Hawaii. It affects all the oceans and the lives within them.
Resolving this plastic problem won’t happen overnight. However, the UH research team believes that fungi may be part of the solution.
read more: Our brains absorb more microplastics than other organs
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Before coming to Discover Magazine, Monicacal wrote for several organizations, including bees and the ones focused on nature. Her current work has also been featured on her travel blog and in Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching the PBS show with her mother as a child and spending too much time with Doctor Who.
