Plastic-Eating Fungus May Solve World's Waste Problems

Plastic was a material invented from around 1800s-1950s as a light-weight practical material that would be for everyday use replacing materials such as glass and other various metals. Today it is most commonly used for everyday consumer goods such as bottles, toys, technologies, and frankly everything. It is fair to say that over 85% of today's production revolves around plastic and it has become an essential part of our lives. However, let’s say you drink a bottle of water per day on average, and you throw it in your garbage can, where does it end up? It ends up in landfills or even worse in our precious oceans killing species in and around the water such as birds and fish. The birds and fish eat the plastics from the ocean and as some die some are still alive with plastics in their bodies which all end up in our bodies by eating this fish. The general cycle of waste just comes back to us which means we need to preserve and conserve our environment one of the most common ways of conserving is by recycling, a method used mainly in the MEDC's while not practiced by LEDC's. However, with the rise of technologies the mankind will most likely end up finding an efficient way to reduce or store all garbage not only plastics.

Recently in a expedition to the Amazon led Yale students to discover a type of fungus which allegedly can break-down plastic. The fungus is called pestalotiopsis microspora which is according to research only break down polyurethane the most commonly used plastic especially for garden hoses, toys, foam, shoes, bags and many more. What is even better about the fungi is that it can anaerobically (without oxygen) digest polyurethane, which means that it can be used at the bottom of a landfill where there is barely oxygen which is a positive side. This finding was accidental as the purpose of exploration through the Amazon and Ecuador was for "students to experience the scientific inquiry process in a comprehensive and creative way." 

As waste management is a big problem all around the globe, these findings are beneficial to our environment because only in us 32 million tons was thrown away while only 9% was recycled. In some countries recycling rates are even below 1%, mainly LEDC's for which this fungus would be beneficial as they could set it up in landfills and not invest in plastics recycling plants.

 Article Link: http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/8922/20140908/plastic-eating-fungus-may-solve-worlds-waste-problems.htm

By Jenna Iacurci

Sep 08, 2014 10:23 AM EDT

Where has all the Plastic gone?

National Geographic
Where has all the (Sea Trash) Plastic gone?
Laura Parker
June 13, 2014
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140613-ocean-trash-garbage-patch-plastic-science-kerry-marine-debris/

As it is commonly know that most of the used plastic ends in the oceans, giant garbage patches are formed floating in so called convergence zones. Through the oceans current the plastic particles are being transported to areas in the Pacific forming the; Western Garbage Patch, and the Eastern Patch.



The problems with these garbage patches is that they are not directly noticeable as the plastic degrades into micro particles floating under the water surface, these are then eaten by fish which mistake them for food and digested, Through fish eating these plastic particles they often become either infertile or have other health impacts.

When Spanish scientist Andres Cozar Cabanas created the first ever global map of ocean trash, he discovered that other than expected most of the plastic which should have floated near the surface was infact not there. Through increased plastic production it had been exprcted that there would also be more plastic present in the ocean. A recent study though published claims that the plastic broke down even further and now is embedded in the ocean floors sediments. Through this our foodchain is even more in danger as it already has been recorded that mammals and fish eat plastic particles. Every sqaure kilometer of deep ocean contains 4 billion plastic fibers, with the width of a human hair and a proximatly a lenght of 4cm. Further studies conducted showed that microfibres in the indian ocean settle mostly on corals, causing damage as light is blocked.

Generally this new research shows how much humans dont understand in the end what happens with out garbage. The overall health risks are still not fully understood, making plastic a potential threat as it enters our food chain. Overall the way plastic is disposed has to be rethinked, as to prevent it from entering out food chains and our oceans. Stopping the usage of plastic bags, or reducing is a good start as these cheap plastics especially enter our food chains easily as they break down the fastest. 

In California, Demand for Groundwater Causing Huge Swaths of Land to Sink.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140325-california-drought-subsidence-groundwater/

The article talks about the very common issue in the USA and the world which is the pumping of underground water leading to sink-age of land. This issue is a very common one in Florida, in which recently a hotel sunk in the ground.

This issue is a common one in the San Joaquin, from 1930 to 1970 the ground level sank by around 9 meters (USGS report). As groundwater supplies 1/3 of water to California even more in drought seasons, underground pumps are built in order to extract water and supply all the counties with water. In the subsidence, an investment of over 800 million needs to be conducted in order for the restoration of the San Joaquin River to be restored. Recently a survey has been conducted related to the sink ages in which USGS thought that their data was wrong because the land had settled so much as Rick Woodley the bureau resource manager. Many construction sites that were near the river were delayed due to the restoration. 

However, this issue is not only present in the USA, it is occurring more and more in Russia and its neighboring countries. 


These causes are not due to water extractions, but may be the cause from various floods or chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks.

National Geographic 

Invasive Asian Carp Found Breeding in "Surprising" Location

Brian Clark Howard

March 11, 2014
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140311-asian-carp-upper-mississippi-invasive-species-fish/

Recently it was discovered that the invasive Asian carp has made it into the upper Mississippi River. This invasive species was introduced into the American ecosystem around 20 years ago, though the recent discovery came very surprising. Asian Carp eggs were found in the Upper Mississippi River along with late-stage embryos. This recent discovery is 250km further upstream than at the last known location. 
The problem with the Asian carp is that it is an invasive species potentially harmful for the delicate ecosystem. An Asian carp can grow up to 50 Kg, making it the top predator, eating large amounts of plankton and aquatic vegetation. The fear for sports fishers is that their current preferred species will die out. In order to counter this invasion the local government already invested several 100 million dollars into the effort of stopping the spread. Possible solutions are Electric barriers, water guns, and scent-based lures. Due to fishers catching Asian carp regularly the advance of this species is well documented. Currently scientists are puzzled as to how the species managed to spread so far. The Asian carp is described as a gernal term for several species; the bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver (Hypophthalmichthys moltrix), grass (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). These species are known invasive species negatively affecting the American river eco systems. Generally Asian carp are considered a better food source though than the native Carp. The danger is that is the carp reaches the great lakes it can possibly endanger the ecosystem. This high ecological risk is being taken serious causing the investment of millions in order to prevent the Carp from reaching the Great Lakes.

The danger with invasive species is the possible effects for the ecosystem. Invasive species often adapt faster allowing them to exploit their new eco system disregarding the carrying capacity. This is very dangerous as often it is almost impossible to get rid of these invasive species, as an example the raccoon is Western Europe or several species in Australia. The methods used to stop the Carp are though very questionable as they simply seems as a waste of money, introducing a control variable such as nets would allow for the government to limit the Asian carp population. If the carp does enter the Great lakes simply using nets with larger gaps allowing for the indigenous species to pass through but not the carp can be a very effective limiting factor.

Ecological Sampling Topic 2 Great Video!!!

Your Pants Might Charge Your Phone One Day

http://energyblog.nationalgeographic.com/2014/10/15/your-pants-might-charge-your-phone-one-day-suggests-new-tiny-generator-study/

National Geographic [Energy Blog]
Christina Nunez
October 15, 2014

A recent study conducted by Columbia University Engineering and Georgia Institute Departments, have discovered the smallest energy generator yet. Through a small material, no thicker than a layer of atoms, kinetic energy can be transformed into power. This two dimensional layer which could possibly serve as an energy generator, is a compound of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), which is also used as ski wax and as a dry lubricant for brakes and engines. After noticing the piezoelectric effect, scientists have inferred that this material could possibly be woven into clothing, allowing our clothing to be portable chargers for our phones, or power for body sensors and medical devices.

Minimality
The best benefit for the users of this possible future innovation, is the size of the energy generator, and the simplicity that comes along with it. We wouldn't have to purchase chargers, or worry about our batteries running out, as the material has a piezoelectric effect, which means that it generates energy as it goes, without the necessity to recharge. Piezo electricity requires the expansion or squeezing of a substance to produce energy, which would be very simple in clothing as it is constantly in movement.
Piezoelectricity
Generating power through expanding or squeezing a substance may be a very useful innovation and simple way to attaining energy, as it has been shown previously in creating energy through foot traffic. This means, that the tiles which people would step on, converted kinetic energy into power, which could then be used. This saves a lot of money on production and usage of energy, which is commonly produced using fossil fuels. Having this to be a very sustainable source, we can expand on this innovation and make it possible for future generations to not only charge there phones in their pocket - or become the charger in this case - but also to decrease the usage of energy on an initially minimal scale.
Energy cost & production
The production of piezoelectric material being woven into clothing would definitely be a new and expensive innovation at first, but in a few generations from now, it may be a generally used concept, as piezoelectricity is becoming a thing now, lighting up roads for cars which are driving on them or the sidewalks for the people stepping on them. This would definitely decrease the usage of energy and materials used to produce chargers or batteries, however it will take lots of time to adjust to this new concept, if it is so effective, which we do not yet know.

Piezoelectricity in roads

I believe, that this is a very useful and modern innovation, as it is important to continue research on different technologies which may improve our life and then environment for future generations, however also puts emphasis on how important it is, for us to pay attention to small things which matter so much - such as would the production of this material and clothing be a sustainable process. We cannot depend on technology saving our lives, as it cannot breakthrough our exponentially growing destruction of the planet. However, if this was to come out, we would also have to consider the health effects of constantly being intact with energy and possibly waves of radiation? It all depends on whether or not the scientists develop this properly, will we then be able to use this technology in the future.

Scottish shops start charging for bags

Libby Brooks

 October 20, 2014

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/19/shoppers-pay-carrier-bags-scotland

Scotland is one of the countries that are starting to invest in sustainable behavior among shoppers. They will try to do so by charging for carrier bags the price will be small and symbolic but the environment officials hope to cut the usage of single use bags considerably. The Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead says that the main problem is the attitude of the consumers. “Our carrier bag addiction is symptomatic of our throwaway culture and has serious implications for the environment.”

“Huge numbers of these bags end up as litter, blighting our communities and clogging up our seas and natural habitats, affecting many sorts of wildlife and marine species in particular.” When shops charge for bags it is part of their profit but an organization called Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging shops to give the money to environmental causes in Scotland. Many well known shops have already agreed to do so. Patrick Harvie, of the Scottish Green party says that the main problem are the companies producing disposable packaging. His opinion is that consumers are not only ones to blame. Consumers need to change, companies need to change but the politicians and the media also need to take this problem more seriously.

In my opinion, this is a good initiative, because I think that most people are not aware of the small things they do everyday. Maybe if they start paying for something they considered free and unimportant, they will start thinking about other things, too. But the responsibility is on the other end as well. For example I think that people in Serbia are not environmentally conscious and they don’t think about what they are doing to nature, but the truth is that things such as recycling almost don’t exist and there is no encouragement or penalties for certain kinds of behaviors that could affect the environment