Water Hyacinths Show Promise for Microplastics Removal, Despite Being an Invasive Species

Water Hyacinths Show Promise for Microplastics Removal, Despite Being an Invasive Species

In a recent study, scientists have found that the species Eichhornia crassipes, also known as the common water hyacinth, has strong potential as a remediator for microplastics in the environment. In the study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers collected water hyacinths from a river in Shanghai, China and relocated the plants for continued growth in a greenhouse with controlled nutrients, light and temp…

The proportion of microplastics in the world's oceans could multiply to 1,200 million tons by 2060, according to a French research group.

Microplastics are not biodegradable and therefore pose a major problem for humans and the environment. In their search for ways to prevent microplastics, Prof. Dr. Bettina Siebers, head of the Molecular Enzyme Technology and Biochemistry (MEB) department at the University of Duisburg-Essen,...