plastic Archives - Disasters News

Antarctica, often considered the last pristine frontier, is no longer untouched by human activity and its environmental consequences. Plastic pollution, a hallmark of human impact, has given rise to a unique ecological phenomenon: the plastisphere—microbial communities colonizing plastic debris in the ocean. While offering intriguing scientific insights, this ecosystem poses significant threats to marine life and global ecological balance. When plastic enters the ocean, it provides surfaces for microbial communities to colonize rapidly, forming biofilms. This collection of organisms known as the plastisphere evolves through ecological succession into a complex network of microbes. These communities can carry harmful pathogens, such as Vibrio spp. and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, sprea...

In an innovative approach to tackling plastic pollution, a team of scientists from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology has discovered that Kenyan lesser mealworm larvae can consume polystyrene a common yet hard-to-recycle plastic. This is the first time an insect species native to Africa has been found to break down polystyrene, adding it to a small but promising group of plastic-degrading insects. How Do They Do It? Polystyrene, often known as Styrofoam, is widely used in packaging and is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its durable nature. While traditional recycling methods are costly and polluting, the Kenyan lesser mealworm has a unique ability to chew through polystyrene with the help of gut bacteria that aid in breaking down the plastic. These larv...

Tag: plastic

Antarctic ‘Plastisphere’ A New Ecosystem with Hidden Dangers Surprisingly

Kenyan Lesser Mealworm Larvae Show Promise in Plastic Degradation, Offering New Hope for Pollution Control