LAHB: A Bioplastic That May Solve Marine Plastic Pollution Problem

Shinshu University
Shinshu University
4M ago
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Researchers have developed a new biodegradable plastic, LAHB, which decomposes effectively in deep-sea conditions. In a study, LAHB lost over 80% of its mass after 13 months underwater, unlike conventional plastics. This breakthrough supports efforts to mitigate marine plastic pollution and highlights the potential of LAHB as a safer alternative to traditional plastics.
LAHB: A Bioplastic That May Solve Marine Plastic Pollution Problem
A What happened
Researchers have developed a new biodegradable plastic, LAHB, which decomposes effectively in deep-sea conditions. In a study, LAHB lost over 80% of its mass after 13 months underwater, unlike conventional plastics. This breakthrough supports efforts to mitigate marine plastic pollution and highlights the potential of LAHB as a safer alternative to traditional plastics.

Key insights

  • 1

    Effective Biodegradation: LAHB shows significant mass loss in deep-sea conditions, indicating effective biodegradation.

  • 2

    Microbial Involvement: Microbial communities actively decompose LAHB, converting it into harmless compounds.

  • 3

    Alternative to Conventional Plastics: LAHB presents a promising alternative to traditional plastics that persist in marine ecosystems.

Takeaways

The study underscores the importance of developing biodegradable materials to combat marine plastic pollution.

Topics

Climate & Environment Climate Sustainability