Using algae to try and solve the plastic problem

By Babetta L. Marrone

Biologists have cultured these algae, known as cyanobacteria, with different nutrients in different amounts, resulting in distinct color changes.

Imagine our world without plastics — they are everywhere, from construction and electronics to transportation and packaging. Overall strength and durability make plastic so useful, but they also make plastic a leading contributor to pollution .

According to a study by the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the…