Bugs across globe are evolving to eat plastic, study finds

[Jagube]

The research scanned more than 200m genes found in DNA samples taken from the environment and found 30,000 different enzymes that could degrade 10 different types of plastic.

The study is the first large-scale global assessment of the plastic-degrading potential of bacteria and found that one in four of the organisms analysed carried a suitable enzyme. The researchers found that the number and type of enzymes they discovered matched the amount and type of plastic pollution in different locations.

The results “provide evidence of a measurable effect of plastic pollution on the global microbial ecology”, the scientists said.

Article: Bugs across globe are evolving to eat plastic, study finds

Original paper: Plastic-Degrading Potential across the Global Microbiome Correlates with Recent Pollution Trends

Edit: Fixed the link

 

[Voidmatrix]

Lucky us (humans) since the issue is our doing.

For me thus is unsurprising as it seems evident that certain adaptations occur based on what may be more available than other food sources. Especially for smaller species where such adaptations can occur over a shorter period of time.

Why fight for food when there's a source that'll provide zero resistance.

One love

 

[Tomtegubbe]

The world without plastics. That's gone for ever.

 

[downwardsfromzero]

It's rather similar to the evolution of lignin-digesting capabilities in fungi some hundreds of millions of years ago. Trees had invented this funky polymer (the aforementioned lignin) that was at the time indestructible until life evolved that could eat it. We've done the same thing and life will adapt again.

The possibilities this opens up for biotechnology, especially if organisms are found that can digest the relatively inert polyalkene polymers, could be considered to be a small ray of hope.


[Link to original paper is giving me a 404, btw.]

 

[endlessness]

[YOUTUBE]

 

[dragonrider]

[YOUTUBE]

This could be the start of a new religion....