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As much plastic as we dump into nature now, we increase the chance for a mutation of a microbe being able to digest it. If that microbe manage to multiply and
by Max-q 3y ago
As much plastic as we dump into nature now, we increase the chance for a mutation of a microbe being able to digest it.
If that microbe manage to multiply and spread, plastic can start to rot, just like wood is doing now. On a long term basis, that might be a good thing, but in the short term it would be a catastrophy. We are using plastic as a long lasting material, often with no surface treatment. Imagine if wire insulation, waterproof encapsulation, gaskets and other important parts of our infrastructure starts to rapidly degrade!
That alone should be motivation for cleaning up and stop spreading plastic waste in nature.
- vagab0nd 3y agoNot to undermine your point about cleaning up plastic, but following your logic: isn't this similar to the antibiotics situation, just maybe on a longer time scale? The more you use it the less effective it is. What's the ultimate solution?
- yukkuri 3y agoWalls and ladders. There isn't a solution to evolution, you just have to keep adapting.
- Intralexical 3y agoIs it feasible for something like, e.g., teflon to be decomposed biologically?
- geoelectric 3y agoIIRC, “plastic eater” was one of the mutations of The Andromeda Strain in the eponymous Crichton novel.
- Tagbert 3y agoWood doesn’t spontaneously rot at a rate that is problematic. This new enzyme requires temperatures of around 70C to operate. Any microbe that does evolve to eat plastic will probably need some specific living conditions. They are unlikely to be so efficient and universal that we see plastic rotting while we are using it.