Scientists Discover New Plastic-Eating Bacteria in Southern Ocean, Sparking Cleanup Hopes and Eco-Doubts
A team of marine biologists has announced the discovery of a novel bacterium in the Southern Ocean capable of breaking down polyethylene, one of the most common plastics used in packaging. The microbe, dubbed Oceanospirillum plastivorans, was found thriving on microplastic debris near Antarctica’s continental shelf. While initial lab tests show it can degrade plastic 30% faster than previously known species, critics warn that releasing the organism into the wild could disrupt the fragile Southern Ocean ecosystem, accelerating carbon cycle imbalances. So, is this the miracle solution we’ve been waiting for? The viral claim is real, but the hype may be premature—the bacterium currently works best in controlled conditions with UV light, not in the dark, icy depths.