Identified a type of plastic that decomposes in the ocean faster than paper

Millions of tons of plastic enter the oceans of our planet every year. The scientific community has spent the last few years trying to figure out which type of plastic decomposes fastest in the marine environment. 

It turned out that the widespread bioplastics, which we have been using for more than 100 years, gives hope for ridding the oceans of plastic. 

Cellulose diacetate, also known as CDA, is made from cellulose, a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants. The material is widely used in production - from eyeglass frames and photographic film to cigarette filters. Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have found that CDA decomposes faster than other plastics in seawater. Technically, it is a bioplastic, and with a simple procedure called "foaming" making it porous, CDA decomposes even faster than paper. 

During a nine-month experiment, porous CDA placed in tanks with continuously circulating seawater lost 65-70% of its original mass. 

"Foamed" cellulose diacetate decomposes 190% faster than its solid counterpart, ecoportal.su reports.

Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau Rough&Polished