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Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science and the University of Tokyo have developed a new type of plastic that dissolves in seawater in just a few hours. The breakthrough could become a major step forward in the fight against ocean pollution.

During a demonstration at a laboratory in Wako, near Tokyo, scientists showed how a small fragment of the material completely disappeared in a container of saltwater after being stirred for about an hour. According to the researchers, unlike other biodegradable plastics, this material breaks down much faster and leaves no trace.

Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental threats. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, by 2040, the volume of plastic waste in the oceans could triple, adding between 23 and 37 million metric tons of debris each year.

Scientists hope the new material will be used in packaging and other products intended for use near bodies of water and marine environments.

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Photo: planet-today.ru