13 Wild Discoveries About the Deep Ocean in the Last Decade

3. The Discovery of Plastic-Eating Bacteria

In a discovery that offers hope for addressing one of our planet's most pressing environmental challenges, scientists in 2016 identified bacteria capable of breaking down and consuming plastic waste in deep ocean environments. Researchers found that certain strains of bacteria, particularly those in the genus Ideonella, have evolved enzymes capable of breaking down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most common types of plastic pollution found in marine environments. These remarkable microorganisms can completely digest plastic bottles and containers, converting them into harmless byproducts that can be safely integrated into marine food webs. The bacteria appear to have evolved this capability relatively recently, suggesting that life can adapt to human-made pollutants faster than previously thought. Subsequent research has identified similar plastic-degrading organisms at various depths throughout the world's oceans, from shallow coastal waters to the deepest trenches. This discovery has sparked intense research into developing biotechnological solutions for plastic waste management, with scientists working to enhance these natural processes and potentially deploy engineered versions of these bacteria to help clean up marine plastic pollution on a global scale.