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Bugs across globe are evolving to eat plastic

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Rosendo Mejica Iglesias
Global HSSE & Sustainability Lead, Caleb Brett

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Rosendo Mejica Iglesias
Global HSSE & Sustainability Lead, Caleb Brett

Surprising discovery shows scale of plastic pollution and reveals enzymes that could boost recycling. 

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.

Microbes in oceans and soils across the globe are evolving to eat plastic, according to a study.
www.theguardian.com/...

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english, environment, highlight

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Rosendo Mejica Iglesias
Global HSSE & Sustainability Lead, Caleb Brett

Get in touch

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Rosendo Mejica Iglesias
Global HSSE & Sustainability Lead, Caleb Brett

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