Scientists have identified microorganisms in the Arctic, Alps, and polar regions that can break down many forms of plastic, according to a study published in Frontiers in Microbiology. Plastic pollution remains one of the defining environmental challenges of our era. Most plastics resist natural decay and can persist in water or soil for decades or longer. While a few microbes capable of degrading plastics have been found, their enzymes typically operate at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, limiting practical use in many environments.
In a detailed study, Joel Ruti and colleagues examined 19 bacterial species and 15 fungal samples growing on plastics exposed in Greenland, Svalbard, and Switzerland. The microbes were cultured as single-strain populations in laboratory conditions at 15 degrees Celsius in darkness. Molecular analyses revealed the bacterial strains spanned 13 genus types, including actinobacteria and proteobacteria, while the fungal samples included species from Ascomycota and Mucoromycota groups.
The researchers tested these microbes for their capacity to degrade non-biodegradable polyethylene and for the breakdown of biodegradable polymers such as polyurethane-based materials, PBAT, and polylactic acid (PLA). polyethylene remained resistant across all strains, with no digestion observed even after about four months of exposure. Yet, 19 strains (about 56%) successfully degraded polyurethane at 15 degrees Celsius, comprising 11 fungal and 8 bacterial strains. Additionally, 14 fungal strains and 3 bacterial strains demonstrated the ability to degrade PBAT and PLA plastics. The reduction of polymers to smaller molecules by these microorganisms was confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging, providing evidence of polymer fragmentation rather than mere surface alteration.
Among the fungi, members of the genera Neodevriesia and Lachnellula showed the strongest performance, successfully degrading all tested plastics except polyethylene. The authors propose that the ability to digest plastics may have evolved as a byproduct of the organisms’ capacity to break down plant-derived polymers in their natural habitats. Looking ahead, researchers aim to isolate and characterize the specific plastic-degrading enzymes, with the goal of producing them at scale to support waste management and recycling efforts.
Earlier paleontological observations hinted that ancient microbial life could survive in extreme environments, underscoring the resilience of biological systems in the face of polymer-like substrates. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that microbial communities in cold and remote ecosystems can contribute to plastic turnover, potentially informing future biotechnological solutions for pollution mitigation.