Cotton-and-squid-bone sponge can soak up 99.9% of microplastics, scientists say

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/10/microplastics-pollution-sponge-cotton-squid-bone
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The study tested the material in an irrigation ditch, a lake, seawater and a pond, where it removed up to 99.9% of plastic. It addressed 95%-98% of plastic after five cycles, which the authors say is remarkable reusability.

The sponge is made from chitin extracted from squid bone and cotton cellulose, materials that are often used to address pollution. Cost, secondary pollution and technological complexities have stymied many other filtration systems, but large-scale production of the new material is possible because it is cheap, and raw materials are easy to obtain, the authors say.

The equipment for the material’s production, such as freeze dryers and mechanical stirrers, is also widely available, while the absorption capacity was not significantly affected by other pollutants, another common problem researchers have previously encountered.