Scientists in Japan have developed a new plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, offering a potential solution to ocean pollution and its harmful effects on marine wildlife, reported Reuters.
Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo claim that their innovative material breaks down quickly and leaves no residual trace, unlike traditional plastics.
The team reportedly demonstrated this by showcasing a small piece of plastic disappearing in a container of salt water after just an hour at a lab in Wako city near Tokyo.
Project lead Takuzo Aida told Reuters that the research has attracted significant interest, particularly from the packaging sector. However, the team has not finalised any detailed plans for the commercialisation of the product.
This innovation is timely as it contributes to the global fight against plastic waste crisis. The effort is aligned with global awareness campaigns such as World Environment Day, which occurs on June 5.
According to the UN Environment Programme, about 23-37 million metric tons of plastic waste enter into the world's oceans each year.
Emphasising the importance of their work, Aida added, "Children cannot choose the planet they will live on. It is our duty as scientists to ensure that we leave them with best possible environment."
The newly found material as durable as petroleum-based plastics, but it breaks down into its original components when exposed to salt water. These components can then be further processed by naturally occurring bacteria, preventing the formation of microplastics, which can harm marine life and enter the food chain.
Land and Ocean Degradation
As salt is also present in soil, a piece about five centimetres (two inches) in size disintegrates on land after over 200 hours.
The material can be used like regular plastic when coated. The team is currently focusing on finding the best methods for coating. The plastic is non-toxic, non-flammable and does not emit carbon dioxide.
Injurious Microplastics Contamination
Plastic is among the most prevalent types of marine debris found in the oceans, according to the National Ocean Service. While a lot is not known about microplastics and their impacts yet, these small plastic bits can be mistaken by the aquatic life and birds as food.
A 2022 study published by the Flinders University stated that microplastics were found broken-down microplastics in blue mussels off the Australian coast. The research supported the claim in a study published by University of Bayreuth that concluded, 'if you eat mussels, you eat microplastics'.
Microplastics are not just a threat to marine life. They also pose risks to humans who consume seafood. According to The Guardian, a peer-reviewed study revealed that 99%, or 180 out of 182, samples of seafood either bought in stores or obtained from a fishing boat in Oregon contained microplastics, with shrimp showing the highest levels.
This underscores the need for adopting innovations like soluble plastic that could help reduce ocean pollution and its harmful effects on both the environment and public health.
