'Sponge of the sea': Israeli researchers develop aerogel that captures, breaks down oil spills

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have developed a novel aerogel technology designed to capture and biologically break down oil pollution in marine and aquatic environments. This porous aerogel, made from cellulose fibers and enriched with nitrogen and phosphorus, can adsorb 80 to 100 times its mass in hydrocarbons. The added nutrients support oil-degrading bacteria, allowing the material to not only contain spills but also accelerate their natural breakdown. Professor Ariel Kushmaro, who led the research, explained that the aerogel provides a surface for bacteria to attach, facilitating the microbial degradation of pollutants. The technology, which is undergoing patent recognition, aims to minimize the need for removing contaminated adsorption material and could potentially be deployed from planes for offshore spills. Kushmaro stated, "We dream about the possibility that every ship will have the aerogel on board, so that if it causes an oil spill, it can immediately break it down."