Plastic-Degrading Fungi

Plastic pollution has long become a global dilemma and current methods of removal from the environment have largely been unsuccessful due to their limitations and harmful long-term effects.

Whether it is burning waste or depositing it into landfills and oceans, we are counteracting our efforts at saving the environment.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of plastic pollution on our coastal ecosystems by categorizing and quantifying plastic debris along a Long Island beach and to propose a novel mitigation method to sustainably degrade plastic.

For this study, Sunken Meadow Park, located in Kings Park, N.Y., was surveyed for plastic pollution. The coast was analyzed using aerial imaging coupled with on the ground sampling to assess trends in concentration, type, and location of plastics.

Survey data suggests that hundreds of pounds of plastic, mainly High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), line this beach. My project provides a safe alternative to this issue by using fungi to break down these plastics in a more efficient way.

Current methods pose more long-term harm than good; however, using bacterial enzymes or fungi may offer better solutions. Thus, this project also addresses the efficacy of the fungus Aspergillus niger in degrading HDPE. Not only will it allow us to further studies in the biodegradation of plastics, but it will also allow us to take a closer look into the biochemical properties of fungi.

Laboratory findings support that A. niger, when exposed to an environment with HDPE, indicates A. niger’s potential in degrading HDPE. Therefore indicating A. niger as a potential solution to plastic pollution.