The ancient evolution of fish mouths could help solve a modern source of plastic pollution.

Inspired by these natural filtration systems, scientists in Germany have invented a way to remove 99 percent of plastic particles from water. It's based on how some fish filter-feed to eat microscopic prey.

The research team has already filed a patent in Germany, and in the future, they hope their creation will help curb a ubiquitous form of plastic pollution that many are unaware of.

Every time a load of laundry is done, millions of microplastics are washed from the fibers of our clothes into local waterways.

By some estimates, up to 90 percent of plastic in 'sewage sludge' comes from washing machines. This material is then often used in agriculture as soil or fertilizer, possibly exposing those who eat the resulting crops to these pollutants.

At this stage, it is unclear what microplastics are doing to human health when they invade our bones and organs, but some toxicologists are concerned by their initial findings among animals.

Figuring out a way to capture plastic pollutants before they leave our washing machines is challenging work. Current filtration systems available on the market can easily become clogged.

Researchers at the University of Bonn and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology turned to nature for inspiration. They decided to make a water filtration system that mimics the mouths of some fish, like mackerel, sardines, and anchovies.

These ocean creatures swim through the water with their mouths open to feed on tiny plankton. Over millions of years, they have evolved comb-like structures inside their mouths that capture microscopic prey.