Microbial Photo-Biodegradation of Plastics and Bioplastics

This study focused on the coastal impacts of sunlight breaking down plastic litter. Specifically, the project sought to analyze what compounds leach from plastics into the surrounding seawater and determine the impacts on the microbial community. The team successfully fabricated a light box that simulates solar UV radiation and used the light box to treat several samples of plastic with radiation. The resulting leachates were collected and used for respiration testing. The project ended upon the graduation of the primary investigator.