this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 29 points 9 months ago (4 children)

It would actually be scary to me if an organism evolves to rapidly eat all plastic. Imagine plastic rust... ugh, its just a terrifying idea. You think mantianing a car is difficult now, wait until you have to check the integrity of any "plastic" component

[–] brisk@aussie.zone 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Wood didn't rot in the carboniferous era. It used to build up in dense layers that became our modern coal veins.

At some point microorganisms evolved to exploit that vast resource. Now coal can no longer generate naturally and we have to keep wood structures dry or painted lest they be reclaimed by the Eafth.

I don't know if there's any reason it couldn't happen to plastics. We've created the niche already, how long until something exploits it?

[–] bloubz@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 9 months ago

Rust is not caused by a living organism but fine. There's another good solution: don't use plastic. Also, we don't need personal cars

[–] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 9 months ago

Yeah it just destroy the purpose of plastic

[–] tryptaminev@feddit.de -2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Well there is a simple remedy, and it is the same like for rust. Keep it dry. All microbial live needs water just as much as larger liveforms. If it is dry it can't spoil, even if there is microorganisms on it. They might be alive, but they'll be in stasis without sufficent accessible water. accessibility is also important here. E.g. salty water or water with high amounts of sugar are not useful to most microorganisms.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 16 points 9 months ago (1 children)

We all know how easy it is to keep a car dry in the PNW.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

We all know how easy it is to keep a car dry in the PNW.

Bro rust isnt the issue up there its damn moss growing on your car. If it sits too long (or even if it doesn) shit starts looking like treebeard.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

And the pine needles. So many pine needles. Every little crevice and hole on your car, stuffed to the brim with pine needles.