Rapid Degradation of Cellulose Diacetate by Marine Microbes

The persistence of cellulose diacetate (CDA), a biobased plastic used in textiles and single-use consumer products, the ocean is currently unknown. Here, we probe disintegration degradation CDA-based materials (25 μm films, 510 foam, 97 g/m2 fabric) by marine microbes continuous flow seawater mesocosm. Photographic evidence mass loss measurements demonstrate that disintegrate months. Disintegration marked increasing esterase cellulase activity biofilm community, suggesting degrade CDA. natural abundance stable (13C) radiocarbon (14C) isotopic signature carbon dioxide respired during short-term bottle incubations confirms rapid both acetyl cellulosic components CDA microbial communities. These findings challenge paradigm set governmental agencies advocacy groups persist for decades, represent positive step toward identifying high-utility, plastics with low environmental persistence.