Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, with alarming statistics highlighting the severity of the problem. A staggering 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, while the majority accumulates in landfills and contaminates waterways.
Each year, over 12 million metric tonnes (Mt) of plastic flow into the oceans, exacerbating the existing problem of approximately 362 million Mt of plastic already present in marine environments. This pollution poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems.
Microplastics are tiny fragments that emerge from the breakdown of larger plastic items. These particles infiltrate the food chain, raising serious health concerns for both marine creatures and humans.
In a significant breakthrough in 2016, scientists in Japan identified a bacterium named Ideonella sakaiensis. This bacterium can decompose PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a common plastic in products like water bottles and food containers.
These bacteria utilize an enzyme known as PETase, which effectively breaks the strong bonds in PET, converting it into monomers. The bacteria then use these monomers as a source of energy, akin to how humans digest food.
Despite these promising advancements, significant challenges remain. The sheer volume of plastic waste is overwhelming, and the rate at which these bacteria can digest plastic is relatively slow. Furthermore, certain enzymes only work efficiently at elevated temperatures, which limits their global application.
In February 2023, a groundbreaking study revealed that waxworms, specifically their gut bacteria, could potentially aid in breaking down low-density polyethylene (PE), a prevalent plastic found in shopping bags and bubble wrap. This discovery presents another avenue for addressing plastic waste.
Interestingly, the monomers produced by plastic-eating bacteria can be repurposed. For instance, a recycling facility in France demonstrates that these monomers can be transformed into new plastic items, showcasing a sustainable approach to plastic waste management.
These insights underline the critical challenges associated with plastic pollution and the innovative strategies being researched to mitigate this environmental crisis.
Q1. What percentage of plastic ever made has been recycled?
Answer: Only 9% of all plastic produced has been recycled; the rest often ends up in landfills or pollutes natural habitats.
Q2. How much plastic enters the ocean each year?
Answer: Over 12 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually, adding to the existing 362 million metric tonnes in marine environments.
Q3. What are microplastics and why are they concerning?
Answer: Microplastics are tiny particles that result from larger plastic items breaking down, posing health risks to marine life and, potentially, humans as they enter the food chain.
Q4. What innovative solution was discovered in 2016 for plastic waste?
Answer: The bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis was discovered, capable of breaking down PET plastic using an enzyme called PETase, showing promise for tackling plastic waste.
Q5. Can the waste from plastic-eating bacteria be reused?
Answer: Yes, the monomers produced by these bacteria can be recycled into new plastic products, demonstrating a potential solution for plastic waste management.
Question 1: What percentage of plastic has been recycled?
A) 5%
B) 9%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How much plastic is estimated to enter the oceans annually?
A) 5 million tonnes
B) 10 million tonnes
C) 12 million tonnes
D) 15 million tonnes
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What are microplastics?
A) Large plastic items
B) Small plastic particles
C) Biodegradable materials
D) Organic waste
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What bacterium was discovered to break down PET plastic?
A) E. coli
B) Bacillus subtilis
C) Ideonella sakaiensis
D) Lactobacillus
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: What is the enzyme produced by Ideonella sakaiensis?
A) Amylase
B) Lipase
C) PETase
D) Protease
Correct Answer: C
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