The Atlantic recently reported on a potential solution to the issue of microplastic pollution: sponges. Researchers in China have designed a synthetic, biodegradable sponge tailored to capture microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics from various liquids. Trials have demonstrated their capability to extract up to 90% of these tiny plastic particles from diverse solutions, ranging from tap water and seawater to soup.
Composed primarily of starch and gelatin, these lightweight, marshmallow-like sponges possess a unique internal structure. By adjusting the production temperature, its porosity can be modified, influencing the size of particles it can capture. Envisioning a broader application, the study's authors suggest these sponges could be
