41–50 of 59 posts
Reminds me a bit of one of the plot points of the Ringworld novels. Our world runs on plastic; I wonder what would happen if a massively successful plastic-eating bacteria took off.
I also seem to recall a part of "Andromeda Strain" where bacteria were eating anything made of rubber?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well if these genes exist somewhere, and we commercialize them. Is it not a matter of time until these genes become more common in bacteria in general and then we can no longer use plastics, I guess then we would have to put some antibacterial in plastics too. Like say a long time period.
I'm not a biologist, but I don't think genes are contagious
I'm a bit confused. In the article it has these 2 statements: > "...enzyme breaks it down even further, providing the bacteria with carbon and energy to grow." > "I don't see how microbes degrading plastics is any better than putting plastic bottles in a recycling bin so they can be melted down to make new ones." Is it degrading it to basic elements such as carbon, or is the bacteria just breaking the plastic down in…
This can't be done with the type of plastic used to make bottles. Plastic bottles are either reused as-is, or "downcycled" to lower grade plastic used for different products, like fleece clothing or fiberboards.
Anyone else concerned that by helping this new bacteria thrive it will set off a series of unforeseen side effects?
"Life, uh, always finds a way"
The danger of humans is whether we give life enough time.
Anyone else concerned that by helping this new bacteria thrive it will set off a series of unforeseen side effects?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The article mentions the bacteria works at "a steady 86 degrees Fahrenheit." It may work slower or not at all at Pacific Ocean temperatures.
may work in a animals stomache?
Anyone else concerned that by helping this new bacteria thrive it will set off a series of unforeseen side effects?
> Mincer said the study was impressive and did a good job showing that these organisms were eating the plastic pretty well.
> However, he said it was not immediately clear whether or not it would help keep plastics out of the ocean, for example. "When I think it through, I don't really know where it gets us," he said. "
>I don't see how microbes degrading plastics is any better than putting plastic bottles in a recycling bin so they can be melted down to make new ones."
Sounds like a great discovery until you get to the end of the article > Mincer said the study was impressive and did a good job showing that these organisms were eating the plastic pretty well. > However, he said it was not immediately clear whether or not it would help keep plastics out of the ocean, for example. "When I think it through, I don't really know where it gets us," he said. " >I don't see how microbes de…
The problem with recycling is that it's economics hinges on the price of oil. The recycling industry where I am (Northern California) has collapsed with the decline in the price of oil[1]. It would be better to use regulation to force recycling but in the absence of that a way to simply dispose of plastic bottles seems excellent.
It would nice if the bacteria would be put in dormant form on the bottle labels, making bottles pseudo-biodegradable.
[1] http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5288760-181/recycling-cent...