Microplastics are a growing concern because they spread through water and ecosystems and are difficult to remove once dispersed. Researchers at the University of Missouri, led by Susie Dai in the College of Engineering and Bond Life Sciences Center, are developing a biological capture method that could simplify removal and deliver additional benefits.
The team genetically modified algae to produce limonene, a naturally occurring oil that gives oranges their scent. Limonene makes the algal cells hydrophobic, so they naturally associate with many water‑repellent microplastics. As the algae and plastics bind, they form clumps that sink and settle into a solid biomass layer. This aggregated material is far easier to collect and handle than individual particles.
The engineered algae also grow in wastewater and consume excess nutrients while cleaning the water. In the lab the researchers cultivate algae in large bioreactors and have built a 100‑liter unit called “Shrek,” which they used to process industrial flue gas in air pollution tests. Dai says the approach could address three problems at once: remove microplastics, clean wastewater and convert the collected plastics into bioplastic products for useful applications. The study appears in Nature Communications.
- Remove microplastics from water
- Clean wastewater by growing algae
- Convert collected plastics into bioplastic products
Difficult words
- microplastic — Very small plastic particles in the environmentMicroplastics
- ecosystem — All living things and their environment togetherecosystems
- disperse — To spread out over a large areadispersed
- modify — To change something's structure or propertiesmodified
- limonene — A natural oil that gives citrus fruit scent
- hydrophobic — Repelled by water; does not mix with it
- bioreactor — A device for growing organisms under controlled conditionsbioreactors
- wastewater — Used water from homes or industry needing treatment
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the advantages and possible challenges of using engineered algae to remove microplastics from wastewater? Give reasons from the article.
- How could converting collected plastics into bioplastic products change waste management or recycling practices in your community?
- The researchers used a 100‑liter unit called “Shrek” in tests. What factors would you consider when scaling this approach to larger wastewater plants?
Related articles
Norwegian research ship cancels Sri Lanka survey
A Norwegian research vessel cancelled its planned 2025 survey in Sri Lankan waters after delays in government approval. The FAO-assigned ship was reassigned to Madagascar and scientists say the missed mission will slow important marine research.
Indigenous groups at COP30 demand forest protection and rights
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, indigenous peoples and local communities asked for stronger protection of tropical forests, recognition of territorial rights, and direct access to climate finance. A GATC and Earth Insight report maps where extractive industries threaten forests and people.
