So there really are Polyestermites?

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by Ike, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
    Posts: 2,677
    Likes: 477, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1669
    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    Scientists find bug that feasts on toxic plastic
    A bacterium that feeds on toxic plastic has been discovered by scientists. The bug not only breaks the plastic down but uses it as food to power the process.

    The bacterium, which was found at a waste site where plastic had been dumped, is the first that is known to attack polyurethane. Millions of tonnes of the plastic is produced every year to use in items such as sports shoes, nappies, kitchen sponges and as foam insulation, but it is mostly sent to landfill because it it too tough to recycle.

    Scientists find bug that feasts on toxic plastic https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/27/scientists-find-bug-that-feasts-on-toxic-plastic

    Found this today in the Guardian. Maybe they have really found a way to get rid of plastics? Who knows, could be an elaborate April Fools joke.

    Here's a link to the report in Frontiers in Microbiology Toward Biorecycling: Isolation of a Soil Bacterium That Grows on a Polyurethane Oligomer and Monomer https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00404/full
     
  2. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    There have been other, similar stories of microbes that eat plastic of some kind, one can see that being potentially a two-edged sword.
     
  3. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
    Posts: 2,677
    Likes: 477, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1669
    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    Certainly could. Eat your hull right out from under you.
     
  4. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
    Posts: 2,677
    Likes: 477, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1669
    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    But upon reflection, that's been the situation with wood and metal boats forever.
     
  5. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,175
    Likes: 85, Points: 58, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    Wont happen to a boat hull, the plastic particles need exposure to the environment to be eaten, and they are sealed up in layers and also paint.
    But the free floating ocean plastic is not, so ought to be eaten eventually.
     
  6. A II
    Joined: Jun 2020
    Posts: 176
    Likes: 65, Points: 28
    Location: Belgium ⇄ the Netherlands

    A II no senior member → youtu.be/oNjQXmoxiQ8 → I wish

    The topic was discussed on the Materials section of these forums, in the thread: What bores holes in styrofoam

    But there it got kinda out of control between believers and unbelievers in the subject, despite the posted links to scientific papers which the existence and the functioning of the phenomenon scientifically explained and proved, as well as links to articles and videos of practical empirical testing that demonstrated the existence of the phenomenon.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2020

  7. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    I hear it's worse in Polyesternesia.
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.