This short discussion paper examines two microbial approaches to addressing major environmental pollution problems. First, it considers plastic-eating bacteria — as described by Morgan Vague — as a potential tool for combating plastic pollution in heavily contaminated environments such as oceans. Second, it explores cyanobacteria's photosynthetic capacity to capture and convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into bioproducts, offering a biological strategy for reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. Drawing on sources from UNEP, NOAA, and peer-reviewed microbiology literature, the paper argues that these microbial solutions could complement existing environmental remediation strategies.
The paper demonstrates effective use of direct quotation combined with paraphrase: key claims are introduced with cited quotations to establish authority, then followed by the student's own synthesis and application. This technique shows engagement with sources rather than mere summary.
The paper is organized into two parallel paragraphs, each addressing one pollution problem (plastic waste, then CO₂) and its corresponding microbial solution (plastic-eating bacteria, then cyanobacteria). A references list follows in APA format. This compact, two-part structure suits the short discussion paper format at the undergraduate level.
Unlike other materials, plastic is not biodegradable and can leach chemicals when exposed to heat (UNEP, 2022). As a result, plastic "pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts" (UNEP, 2022). For this reason, the kind of microbe described by Morgan Vague in her TED talk could be a practical solution to the problem of plastic pollution (TED, 2019). These bacteria could be deployed in locations heavily polluted with plastic waste — such as our oceans — where they would effectively break down that waste, complementing other strategies aimed at addressing the plastic pollution crisis.
Lindsey, R. (2023). Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. NOAA. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide
TED (2019, June 24). These bacteria eat plastic | Morgan Vague [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbW4XWkJC6w
United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP (2023). Everything you need to know about plastic pollution.
Zhang, A., Carroll, A. L., & Atsumi, S. (2017). Carbon recycling by cyanobacteria: improving CO₂ fixation through chemical production. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 364(16), 98–105.
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