Susie Dai engineers algae to remove microplastics and purify wastewater

7 articles · Updated · The Cool Down · Apr 27

The University of Missouri researcher reported in Nature Communications that the modified algae produce limonene, helping capture microplastics while thriving in wastewater.
The algae also absorb excess nutrients, and Dai's team aims to turn recovered plastic into composite bioplastic films, combining pollution removal, water treatment and upcycling.
The process is being developed in controlled bioreactors for possible use in wastewater plants, as microplastics remain widespread in waterways, wildlife and the human body.

The process creates new bioplastics, but are these materials truly safe and recyclable?

How do we ensure this plastic-eating algae doesn't become a new pollutant itself?

This algae targets some plastics, but can it remove all the different types from our water?

Is this breakthrough a real cure, or a tech-fix that ignores reducing plastic production?

Is cleaning water with bioengineered algae an affordable solution for cities, or a costly experiment?

The study was published in 2025; how soon could this tech actually clean our tap water?