Chemicals from plastic in ocean lead to animal deformities new study finds

Scientists from Cornwall have shown that chemicals leaching from marine plastic can lead to deformities in some species like sea urchins

1 December 2020 0 comments

By Olivier Vergnault

Sea urchins have been shown to grow with deformities if in contact with chemicals from marine plastic, scientists from Cornwall have found (Image: Wikipedia)

Biologists in Cornwall have found that chemicals released in the ocean from plastic can lead to deformities in marine animals.

The study by biologists from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter’s Penryn Campus found that plastics in the ocean can release chemicals that cause deformities in sea urchin larvae.

The team soaked various plastic samples in seawater then removed the plastic and raised sea urchin embryos in the water.

Sea urchins have been shown to grow deformed when in contact with chemicals from marine plastic (Image:Dr Eva Jimenez-Guri)

They found that urchins developed a variety of abnormalities, including deformed skeletons and nervous systems.

These abnormalities were caused by chemicals embedded in the plastics leaching out into the water, rather than the plastics themselves.

The plastic-to-water ratio in the study would only be seen in severely polluted places, but the Westcountry scientists believe their findings raise questions about the wider impact of plastic contaminants on marine life.

Flora Rendell-Bhatti, from the study team, said: “We are learning more and more about how ingesting plastic affects marine animals. However, little is known about the effects of exposure to chemicals that leach into the water from plastic particles.

“This study provides evidence that contamination of the marine environment with plastic could have direct implications for the development of larvae, with potential impacts on wider ecosystems.

“Our work contributes to the growing evidence that we all need to help reduce the amount of plastic contamination released into our natural environment, to ensure healthy and productive ecosystems for future generations.”

Dr Eva Jimenez-Guri, also of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, added: “Many plastics are treated with chemicals for a variety of purposes, such as making them mouldable or flame retardant.

“If such plastics find their way to the oceans, these chemicals can leach out into the water.

“Plastics can also pick up and transport chemicals and other environmental contaminants, potentially spreading them through the oceans.”

Sea urchins grow with deformities if in contact with chemicals from marine plastics, scientists from Cornwall have shown (Image: Dr Eva Jimenez-Guri)

The study used pre-production “nurdles” (pellets from which most plastics are made) from a UK supplier, and also tested nurdles and “floating filters” (used in water treatment) found on beaches in Cornwall.

For the tests, each plastic type was soaked in seawater for 72 hours, then the plastic was removed.

Analysis of the water showed all samples contained chemicals known to be detrimental to development of animals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Water from the different kinds of plastic affected urchin development in slightly different ways, though all sample types led to deformity of skeletons and nervous systems, and caused problems with gastrulation (when embryos begin to take shape).

The study also raised urchin embryos in water that had contained “virgin” polyethylene particles that had not been treated with additive chemicals or collected any environmental pollutants.

These urchins developed normally, suggesting that abnormalities observed in other samples were caused by industrial additives and/or environmentally adsorbed contaminants – rather than the base plastics themselves.

nurdles are the plastic pellets

Nurdles and floating filters are not waste products, so they are not deliberately discarded, but the study highlights the importance of preventing their accidental release.

Dr Jimenez-Guri added: “Most plastics may have similar effects as those in the study, so the findings emphasise the importance of finding alternatives to replace harmful additives, and reducing overall marine plastic pollution.”

The paper, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, is entitled: “Developmental toxicity of plastic leachates on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.”