Could a tiny microorganism provide the answer to the problem posed by plastic debris in the world’s oceans? Research conducted by scientists from the University of Sheffield (www.sheffield.ac.uk) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas, Lowestoft / UK; www.cefas.co.uk) seems to suggest so.

In the first ever DNA-based study investigating the interaction between microbes and plastics, the researchers found that the polyethylene sample they used was quickly colonised by several different kinds of bacteria, which in turn formed a “biofilm” on the plastics’ surface. This finding, they say, potentially could mean that these microbes could break down the plastics they inhabit. “Microbes play a key role in the sustaining of all marine life and are the most likely of all organisms to break down toxic chemicals, or even the plastics themselves,” said Jesse Harrison, a member of the research team.

If proven correct, these tiny organisms could yet have a huge role to play in the world’s oceans. Exposed to the elements, plastics garbage that finds its way into the sea decreases in size, eventually turning into microplastics or plastics confetti, measuring 5 mm or less. Much of this marine litter collects in plastic vortexes, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – see Plasteurope.com of 25.08.2009.