Blue economy: Nereid receives NSF funding for bioplastics research to combat marine pollution

06 Oct 2022 --- Nereid Biomaterials, a team of material scientists, microbiologists, and oceanographers working to develop biodegradable materials for the ocean, has received Convergence Accelerator Phase 2 funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The NSF Convergence Accelerator fund provides finances to teams that use convergence research and innovation to address societal concerns.

The Nereid team includes UC Santa Barbara marine microbiologist Alyson Santoro, along with University of Rochester synthetic biologist Anne Meyer, University of Rhode Island oceanographer Melissa Omand, ecologist Ryan Freedman from the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and industry partner Mango Materials.

They say they are motivated to find a way to avoid the problem of plastic pollution while still reaping the benefits of a networked ocean.

An aquatic link
According to the group, plastic’s affordability, adaptability and durability are unparalleled and unquestioned. However, plastic as we currently know it and the marine environment is a poisonous mix.

Nereid aims to find a way to avoid plastic pollution while still reaping the benefits of a networked ocean.

“In the same way that your phone is connected to your car, your computer, your thermostat and your doorbell, there’s also a growing number of connected devices all over the ocean,” explains Alyson Santoro, elaborating on the “ocean network.”

These devices contain sensors that are used to collect and transmit data crucial to the numerous companies that carry out their operations in the maritime environment, such as shipping, tourism, oil, gas and fisheries. These sensors are nodes in a developing network dubbed the “blue economy.”

While beneficial to the companies, Santoro asserts that once deployed, these gadgets are never recovered, contributing to the enormous amount of plastic in the ocean.

With their funding, Nereid Biomaterials aims to further its efforts in developing bioplastics engineered to degrade in the ocean while still experiencing the advantages of an interconnected ocean.

Utilizing wastewater
Biopolymer polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB), a natural polyester derived from carbon-assimilating bacteria, serves as the foundation material for this method. The carbon component of choice to feed these microorganisms is methane, a strong greenhouse gas.

“Mango Materials grows these bacteria on methane that is harvested from wastewater treatment plants,” Santoro says, “which is another win.”

She continues by saying that since these bacteria have been producing this polymer for years, so “it only seems sensible that other microbes have discovered how to break it down for energy.” 

Since most biodegradable plastics can only break down in high-heat composting facilities, one aim of their research is the isolation of bacteria that flourish in cold ocean environments. “We’re culturing new bacteria that can break down these polymers,” she explains. 

Tailor-made tagging
Santoro highlights that the team conducted dozens of interviews with potential high-end users of biodegradable plastics to find out what exactly their material needs were and what they were looking for.

They found out that there was a variety of lifespans users required for their items. While some sought products that would last a year, others wanted materials that would vanish in a day.Nereid Biomaterials aims to further its efforts in developing bioplastics engineered to degrade in the ocean

They also spoke to others who desired the ability to start the degradation process when they deemed fit.

Phase 2 of their research is dedicated to applying bioplastic in the actual world. The project team will examine how well its bioplastic operates under various ocean conditions as well as how the material degrades in cooperation with more than a dozen industry partners who have committed to using this technology.

Additionally, Nereid uses a 3D printer for printing living bacterial cells that can be utilized to embed or apply PHB-eating bacteria to the biopolymer to improve the functionality of their product.

Users may have options for when and how rapidly the biopolymer degrades by carefully arranging these microorganisms in or on the plastic.

The industry recently saw other bioplastic developments as well, including that of the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. UQ became a hub for bioplastics research after receiving an AUD$13 million (US$9 million) grant for research into “green” plastics. 

According to the researchers, biodegradable bioplastics along with their natural fiber composites will be pivotal in the amelioration of the ocean’s plastic leak.

By Mieke Meintjes