Marine fungus shows promise in breaking down ocean plastic

Researchers have discovered that the marine fungus Parengyodontium album can degrade polyethylene, the most prevalent plastic in the ocean. Laboratory experiments conducted by Annika Vaksmaa and her team at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research demonstrated that the fungus effectively breaks down UV-exposed polyethylene, converting it into carbon dioxide. While the fungus presents potential for addressing plastic pollution, Vaksmaa cautions against its uncontrolled use in natural environments and suggests processing collected plastic on land. The breakthrough highlights the importance of microbial solutions in mitigating plastic pollution, though prevention remains crucial. (New Scientist)