Recently, researchers have discovered a new bacterium (细菌) that feeds on plastics. Scientists say the discovery could help reduce a flood of plastics that are ending up in the landfills (垃圾填埋场) and polluting oceans.

Plastic is one of the most difficult materials to break down or recycle. To solve the problem, a team from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Germany found the new soil bacterium. It was found in an area with a lot of plastic wastes. The team discovered the bacterium could feed on polyurethane (聚氨酯), which is widely used in making different plastic products.

It was reported that polyurethane made up 3.5 million tons of Europe’s plastics last year. One problem is that recycling polyurethane requires a lot of energy. So most polyurethane-based wastes are sent to landfills, where they can give off dangerous chemicals.

The team found that the bacterium could produce enzymes (酶) that could eat polyurethane. This would make it possible to break down plastic wastes. The results were recently reported in a science magazine.

Hermann Heipieper helped write the report. He said that the finding “marks an important step in being able to reuse hard-to-recycle products”.

The research is part of a European Union program that tries to find useful bacteria. The goal is to discover living things that can help turn plastics into materials that can be broken down biologically.

Some scientists advise against introducing the man-made bacteria into the environment at present, which could be harmful. It is suggested that much more study should be carried out to learn more about it. “Such research is needed before we can take action such as putting the plastic-eating bacteria into the oceans,” a scientist said.

1.1. Where was the new plastic-eating bacterium found?

A In an area full of plastic wastes.

B At the bottom of the ocean.

C In a European Union research lab.

D Inside some plastic products.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据文中“It was found in an area with a lot of plastic wastes.”，这种新细菌是在一片遍布塑料垃圾的区域被发现的。所以选A。

2.2. Why do most polyurethane-based wastes end up in landfills?

A Because they have many living things.

B Because there is no way to burn them up.

C Because recycling them needs a lot of energy.

D Because they have too many harmful chemicals.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文中“One problem is that recycling polyurethane requires a lot of energy. So most polyurethane‑based wastes are sent to landfills”，回收聚氨酯需要消耗大量能源，因此大多数聚氨酯垃圾最终被送往垃圾填埋场。所以选C。

3.3. How does the bacterium work on plastics?

A By breaking down polyurethane.

B By putting plastics into the oceans.

C By breaking down their enzymes.

D By changing plastics into polyurethane.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据文中“The team found that the bacterium could produce enzymes (酶) that could eat polyurethane. This would make it possible to break down plastic wastes.”，这种细菌产生可以分解聚氨酯的酶，以此分解塑料垃圾。所以选A。

4.4. What can we infer (推断) from the last paragraph?

A People are spreading the bacteria into the oceans.

B It’s necessary to do further research on the bacterium.

C Further research will mainly focus on ocean pollution.

D The bacterium can’t solve the environmental problems.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据最后一段“It is suggested that much more study should be carried out to learn more about it.”和“Such research is needed before we can take action…”，由此可以推断，针对这种细菌还有必要做进一步研究。所以选B。