Posted inCurrent Affairs
Discovery of Plastic-Degrading Fungus in Ocean Offers Hope for Pollution Mitigation
Researchers have uncovered a significant breakthrough in the fight against plastic pollution in the ocean. They have identified a fungus, Parengyodontium album, capable of breaking down polyethylene, the most abundant plastic found in ocean debris. The fungus relies on UV radiation to degrade plastic, indicating its preference for surface-floating plastics. This discovery, published in Science of the Total Environment, sheds light on the mechanisms of plastic degradation in marine ecosystems. Scientists anticipate further discoveries of plastic-degrading organisms, crucial for addressing the escalating issue of plastic waste accumulation in oceans worldwide.