Marine biodegradation of otherwise persistent engineering nylons

Summary

Scientists discovered that some common nylon fishing lines can actually break down naturally in ocean water, even though nylon is usually thought to stick around forever in the environment. This matters because fishing gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution and microplastics, which can end up in seafood and eventually our bodies, so finding nylons that biodegrade could lead to less plastic waste polluting our oceans and food chain.