Recently, the article “Chitin from the Sea Providing Solutions in Tackling Microplastic Pollution,” co-authored by Professor Li Fengmin and Associate Professor Sun Cuizhu from the College of Environmental Science and Engineering at Ocean University of China (OUC), was reprinted in full in Issue 2, 2026 of Xinhua Digest.
The article aims to address the global environmental challenge of controlling microplastic pollution, systematically exploring chitin, a form of marine waste biomass, as a raw material for developing new eco-friendly materials, as well as its innovative value and environmental significance. It points out that existing technologies for microplastic pollution control face technical bottlenecks, including the low efficiency of conventional physical filtration, the long cycle required for biodegradation, and the difficulty of completely eliminating microplastics after adsorption. To address these challenges, researchers have developed an integrated “adsorption-photocatalysis” composite material based on chitin and carbon nitride, which enables the efficient capture and in-situ degradation of microplastics. They also promoted the application of this technology beyond the laboratory, extending it to practical scenarios such as advanced municipal sewage treatment and household water purification devices. From marine waste to a new high-performance material for pollution control, this research vividly demonstrates the great potential of scientific and technological innovation in turning waste into a resource and addressing global environmental challenges.
