Scientists: Mushrooms will save the world from plastic crisis
They can degrade the plastic and deal with the radioactive waste.
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Mushrooms can solve the problem of ocean pollution with plastic waste, the researchers said.
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Already found the types of microscopic fungi that live on plastic and able to degrade. Other microorganisms, scientists believe, can even deal with radioactive waste. This is referred to a recent report by British researchers from the Royal Botanic gardens, Kew.
Experts argue that mankind is still too little known about this Kingdom of nature. For example, recently in Pakistan, the fungus has been found capable of a few weeks to decompose polyurethanes. Just last year, it was discovered 2,000 new species of fungi in the soil, forests and caves.
But many mushroom species are under threat of extinction due to climate change and environmental pollution. They lose their habitat and disappear from the face of the earth. Only 56 species of fungi are recognized as critically endangered on the international level, but endangered species a lot more.
The report says that a fungus that can grow in acidic conditions and tolerate high levels of gamma radiation can help to clean up sites contaminated with radioactive waste. Other fungi help to improve the quality of biofuels.
“Potential of fungi to solve critical problems in very large,” said Professor Kathy Willis. She added that for the first time in one document combined all the key data about the benefits of the Kingdom of fungi to the future of humanity.
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