Microplastics are everywhere: a revolutionary plastic could change the future

Researchers at the RIKEN Center have developed an innovative plastic that maintains the strength of traditional materials but completely degrades in the sea

©Riken

Microplastics infuse everything: at the bottom of the seas, in the ground, in the air we inhale, and even in the food we eat. Plastic worth millions of tonnes is dumped into the ocean every year, breaking down into small particles that make their way into the food web and threaten ecosystems. But perhaps it might not be like this anymore with a recent finding. A team of scientists from Japan, led by the group leader Takuzo Aida and affiliated with the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), has developed a long-lasting biodegradable plastic that can fully dissolve in seawater. This new plastic could be a game-changing invention to counteract microplastic pollution. The study was published in the journal Science.

A plastic that dissolves in seawater: how it works

There are biodegradable plastics already, but the majority of them—such as PLA (polylactic acid)—do not biodegrade in the ocean. What’s the result? Even those contribute to the microplastic problem. A better solution was necessary.

The researchers at RIKEN developed a new class of materials: supramolecular polymers, a type of plastic whose molecules are linked by reversible chemical bonds. The material is so strong and flexible because it is bound together by these bonds. Meanwhile, it breaks down in a controlled manner if it is exposed to seawater.

The key to this innovation is in its composition: the plastic is made by combining sodium hexametaphosphate, a common food additive, with guanidinium-based monomers. Both of these components are easily metabolized by environmental bacteria, ensuring complete and natural degradation of the material.

Durable, safe, and sustainable

Other than its biodegradability, this new plastic possesses numerous advantages over traditional materials. It is non-toxic, non-flammable, and does not release CO₂, eliminating one of the largest environmental issues surrounding plastic waste disposal.

Moreover, tests have also verified that the material is fully recyclable. After dissolving in saltwater, researchers were able to recover 91% of the sodium hexametaphosphate and 82% of the guanidinium ions, paving the way to potential applications in recycling and circular economy systems.

But the most surprising find is about its breakdown in soil: in 10 days, the material completely disintegrates, releasing phosphorus and nitrogen—both essential nutrients for the soil—working very much like a natural fertilizer.

A pollution-free plastic that even fertilizes the soil? It sounds like science fiction, but it is the future that science is developing.

The road to large-scale adoption

This discovery is a significant turning point in the fight against plastic pollution, but, if reform is to be truly transformative, industry and policymaker action are a necessity. Widespread adoption of the technology could significantly reduce the accumulation of microplastics in the ocean and on land, protecting the environment as well as public health.

At the same time, there is further research: next, the goal is to create this plastic that is commercially competitive to allow large-scale use across priority industries like packaging and industrial manufacturing. At least one thing is clear: future plastic must be sustainable, and this might just be what we have been searching for.

Source: Riken

99% of fish samples found contaminated with microplastics, Oregon study reveals

Rebecca Manzi

Posted on 19/02/2025

A study found microplastics in 99% of the fish samples analyzed: practically every specimen examined had ingested plastic particles

A recent study has uncovered the disturbing reality: 99% of the fish samples analyzed contained microplastics, disclosing the ubiquitous spread of these pollutants in the oceans and its seafood. It was an Oregon-based research that tested different species of fish and shellfish, such as Chinook salmon, pink shrimp, and Pacific cod. Nearly every specimen analyzed had been found to ingest plastic particles.

Microplastics can be defined as plastic particles less than 0.2 inches in diameter, which are products of the fragmentation of greater plastics and vary from synthetic textile washing, cosmetic products, to particulates from tire wear.

The study established that over 80% of the identified microplastics in the fish were textile fibers, that was most likely from clothing and synthetic fabric wash. This indicates how plastic detours into the marine ecosystem via various means with possible adverse implications on aquatic life as well as human food chains.

Microplastics may carry toxic substances such as PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenol

Marine animals ingest microplastics either directly from the water or through their food. Smaller fish and shellfish that feed on plankton in coastal areas and rivers are the most contaminated species. This is because plankton, a vital food source for marine life, tends to collect plastic particles from the water, passing them along the food chain.

In contrast, larger species such as Chinook salmon showed lower levels of microplastic contamination. Researchers believe this is because the analysis was conducted only on fillets, excluding internal organs where contaminants typically accumulate.

Beyond harming marine life, microplastics pose significant risks to human health. Scientific studies have shown that these tiny plastic particles can carry toxic substances such as PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenol, which are linked to endocrine disruption, developmental issues, and potential cancer risks. Additionally, microplastics can cross human body barriers, entering the bloodstream, organs, and even the placenta, with consequences that remain largely unknown.

The urgent need for action to curb microplastic pollution

Reducing plastic use, improving water filtration systems, and promoting policies to cut microplastic emissions are crucial steps in addressing this crisis. Without concrete interventions, experts warn that by 2050, nearly all marine species could be contaminated with plastic, leading to devastating impacts on ecosystems and global health.

@Frontiersin

Source: Frontiers

The article draws upon studies published and recommendations from international institutions and/or experts. We do not make claims in the medical-scientific field and report the facts as they are. Sources are indicated at the end of each article.