A new discovery has been made and its implications on human life can be massive: mealworms love to munch on Styrofoam. Two separate studies published in Environmental Science and Technology proved this-much to the surprise of both the science community and society in general.
It might seem mind-boggling how a living creature can manage to subsist on such a problematic manmade and non-biodegradable substance like Styrofoam, but they are by no means the first animals observed that can do such a thing, Gizmodo reported.
Apparently, just like the mealworms' taste for Styrofoam, some kinds of rainforest fungi can break down polyurethane plastics. Another kind of fungi can also digest the aromatic hydrocarbons found in petroleum. But just the same, the new discovery is a shock to most people.
As everyone knows, Styrofoam, when left on its own, will remain as it is for millennia. It has been the bane of an environmentalist's existence since its creation. But the new discovery might be the key to solving the problem of Styrofoam which is cheap to make and convenient to have.
33 million tons of plastic, including Styrofoam, are dumped into US landfills every year. The new discovery is a cheap and viable option to break down the notorious substance into something organic. Additionally, the manure created by the mealworms can be used as soil for crops, Engadget reported.
If scientists are able to isolate the microorganisms in the mealworms' gut that can break down the Styrofoam, then it might prove to be a new organic and relatively cheap way to get rid of the plastic material already in the soil or in the bottom of the ocean, Popsci reported.
Would you happen to know of other bugs and critters that have a taste, or rather gut, for plastic materials? No? Then share this article to involve the whole community! The rest of the world deserves to know about innovations like this.
