[1][2] Early discoveries of the fungus were found in historical places across the globe, like monuments and museums, being attracted to mainly the materials of stone and paint, and showing its endurance over time in extreme locations.

[2] Discoveries in the early 21st century revealed its presence in marine ecosystems, colonizing and breaking down polyethylene, the most abundant plastic in oceans.

It reproduces through dry, hydrophobic conditions, using a type of spore that allows the fungus to spread through the air and colonize new areas.

This fungus, originally described as Tritirachium album Limber, 1940, has undergone several taxonomic changes, initially included in a new genus created for species with verticillately branched conidiophores similar to those of Verticillium but differing in their final zigzag conidia-bearing portion.

This fungus is not only common in natural settings but has also been noted for its ability to thrive in human-made environments, and can become pathogenic, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

[2] The degradation of polyethylene by Parengyodontium album is particularly notable because it occurs at a rate of about 0.05 percent per day under laboratory conditions, and this process is significantly influenced by sunlight.

[6] Researchers noted that the fungus only breaks down polyethylene that has been exposed to UV light, indicating that in natural settings, P. album likely affects plastics floating near the ocean surface.

UV light is part of sunlight and as it shines on the ocean and the fungus present there it is evident that it is a necessary factor in the plastic’s decomposition.

Although UV light has been closely related to radiation and has been notorious for being harmful to humans and our environment, it can also be used as a source of energy that comes from the sun.

[10] Based on the study done by the scientific journal Science of the Total Environment, it is significant that in a lab setting, the fungus’ decomposing process was able to be measured.

However, plastic that sinks to lower parts of the ocean where UV light is unable to reach and is out of impact in accordance with the fungi is another problem within itself.