A new Chinese development removes almost 100% of plastic from water: how it works and why it's important (video)

Water pollution with plastic, especially in the oceans, poses a significant danger to both marine ecosystems and human health. Research has found microplastics not only in ocean water, but also in seafood and even in drinking water. Research shows that microplastics can overcome biological barriers, enter the blood and organs, which over time can lead to acute and chronic health problems

A team of Chinese researchers developed a unique foam made from natural materials — chitin from squid bones and cellulose from cotton, — which can remove up to 99.9% of microplastics from water. According to researchers, the material's adsorption capacity is practically unaffected by inorganic particles, heavy metals, organic pollutants and microorganisms in water.

The main thing is that it is biodegradable and does not pollute the water. In initial tests, the material absorbed nearly 100% of four common types of microplastics: polystyrene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyethylene terephthalate. The foam can be reused multiple times. Over five cleaning cycles, it maintained a microplastic removal efficiency of 95-98%.

What is microplastic

Microplastic — tiny particles that form as a result of the breakdown of larger plastics, which are now ubiquitous in the marine environment. Microplastics can absorb toxic chemicals from the surrounding water and act as a carrier for these pollutants when ingested by marine organisms. This phenomenon leads to bioaccumulation, where toxins are concentrated up the food chain, ultimately affecting larger fish and even humans who consume the seafood or water.