Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

oDDmON t1_j5jxsu8 wrote

If they ate plastic and pooped oil, one problem would be solved, rite?

3

TheRiverOtter t1_j5k8kzw wrote

This seems like a highly unlikely product, as oil has a higher chemical energy than plastic and biological processes typically convert compounds down the chemical energy gradient.

From the paper, it appears to result in CO2, which is, in the long run, probably less terrible (even if ever so slightly) than bloating all of Earth's biomass with biologically disruptive microplastics.

9

rambunction01 t1_j5kttuw wrote

I believe there are algae or Cyanobacteria that fix CO2 to oils

1