Plastic-Eating Bacteria Has Been Uncovered In Scandinavian Lakes

Over the years, there has been a litany of research projects trying to find ways to get rid of plastic from lakes and oceans. Whether we try and save nature via plastic-eating robotic sharks or fish, or even try and make an effort ourselves to use less plastic, the waters still get filled. But perhaps the answer to keeping the waters clean has all along been nature itself.

A study published in the Nature Communications journal and conducted by the University of Cambridge has shown that bacteria found in 29 lakes in Scandinavia thrive on a diet of plastic.

Plastic littering isn’t just limited to the oceans; freshwater supplies are also seeing an influx of plastic being thrown in. With that, microplastics are making their way into our water systems.

The test found that this increase in plastic waste has caused bacteria living in the lakes to adapt to new eating habits. The research team even found that when presenting the bacteria with alternative food sources such as leaves, they still preferred the plastic.

To confirm their initial findings, scientists soaked a plastic bag in water and when it started producing carbon compounds, they introduced the bacteria into the water. Over a period of 72 hours, the number of bacteria had tripled, proving the relationship between plastic and bacteria.

The bacteria are not only capable of breaking down plastics, but other natural carbon compounds in the lakes as well.

Hence, the researchers at Cambridge suggest introducing the bacteria as a natural way to save us from ingesting microplastics and to protect the lakes from overpollution.

This finding heralds back another set of research done by the University of Queensland where plastic-eating worms were discovered.

It only begs the question as to whether such tiny creatures can solve all our plastic problems.

[via Interesting Engineering and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, Photo 1079135
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