University of Hawaii scientists have discovered a marine fungi plastic degradation solution to biologically solving ocean pollution.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii have made a remarkable discovery in the search for ways to combat mounting ocean pollution. Marine fungi collected from around the O’ahu island show a natural ability to consume polyurethane plastic. This breakthrough in marine fungi plastic degradation could provide a biological method to address the oceans’ growing plastic waste crisis.
The scale of the plastic pollution problem cannot be overstated. According to Green Watch, an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic currently pollutes the oceans, with microplastics found in 92% of 60% of fish consumed annually. Asia accounts for 81% of ocean plastic pollution due to poor waste management, single-use plastics, and inadequate recycling infrastructure. While over 3 billion people depend on oceans for their livelihoods, pollution has caused declining fish stocks and job losses in affected communities.
The consequences of plastic pollution extend beyond environmental damage. Many plastics contain harmful chemicals that can damage marine ecosystems. Human health is also at risk, with studies showing that these are linked to cancer, infertility, and nervous system damage.
Researchers found that over 6% of fungi collected from Hawaii’s coastal waters could break down polyurethane, a standard plastic used in many industrial and medical products. Even more impressive, these marine fungi adapted quickly, increasing their plastic consumption rates by up to 15% in three months.
The research team, led by Ronja Steinbach, a former marine biology undergraduate at the University of Hawaii Mānoa College of Natural Sciences, collected fungi samples from diverse marine environments, including sand, seaweed, corals, and sponges. The scientists then tested these fungi in laboratory conditions to measure their ability to digest plastic materials.
“Plastic in the environment today is extremely long-lived and is nearly impossible to degrade using existing technologies,” Steinbach explained. This persistent nature of plastic pollution makes these findings on marine fungi plastic degradation particularly significant.
Professor Anthony Amend from the Pacific Biosciences Research Center noted that fungi have a unique capability. “Fungi possess a superpower for eating things that other organisms can’t digest (like wood or chitin), so we tested the fungi in our collection for their ability to digest plastic,” he said.
See also: Revolutionary Solvent Removes 98% of Nanoplastics from Water
The experiments involved placing polyurethane in small petri dishes and observing whether and how quickly the fungi could consume it. Researchers then selected the fastest-growing fungi for further testing to see if they could be conditioned to break down plastic more efficiently over time. The results exceeded expectations.
While other microorganisms like bacteria and land-based fungi have been studied for plastic degradation potential, this marks the first significant research explicitly focused on marine fungi plastic degradation. Scientists estimate that less than 1% of marine fungi are known to science, as Steinbach noted that “very few people study fungi in the ocean.”
The University of Hawaii Mānoa team is working to better understand the cellular and molecular processes involved in marine fungi’s plastic degradation. They are also expanding their research to examine whether other marine fungi species can consume different plastics that are more difficult to degrade.
Researchers hope their findings could eventually contribute to large-scale beach and ocean cleanup efforts. If successful, biotechnology could allow these solutions to be implemented on what scientists call an “ecologically relevant scale.”
The plastic problem stems from its fundamental nature. While plastics are valued for being cheap, strong, and versatile, they never decompose. Instead, when exposed to sunlight, heat, and physical forces, plastic breaks down into microplastics that persist in the environment.
This growing environmental crisis is also the subject of current negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty held in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2025. Reducing production versus managing waste remains a contentious issue.
For now, the University of Hawaii’s research on marine fungi plastic degradation offers a glimmer of hope in addressing existing pollution. By harnessing nature’s recyclers, scientists may develop new approaches to tackle the plastic already contaminating our oceans while broader policy solutions are debated.
The discovery of marine fungi reminds us that sometimes, the most effective solutions to human-created problems might already exist in nature. As research continues, these humble ocean organisms might become powerful allies in the fight against plastic pollution.
