Plastic chemicals cause deformities in sea creatures, study warns

Plastics can cause deformities in sea creatures, a study has warned.

Scientists at the University of Exeter placed sea urchin embryos in water deliberately contaminated with plastic and found that they developed abnormally.

The results "point to clear and specific detrimental effects of plastic pollution on animal development," the paper concluded.

Plastic was collected from Tregantle beach in Cornwall, and industrial plastic pellets were also obtained from a supplier. Plastic pellets without chemical additives were also used as a control.

The beach plastic and industrial plastic caused the issues while the chemical-free particles did not, suggesting that additives used to make plastics mouldable or flame retardant, or other pollutants picked up from the environment caused the issues, rather than the plastic itself, scientists said.

Each plastic type was soaked in seawater for three days, and purple sea urchin embryos were then developed in the same water.

The beach plastic and industrial plastic led to "severe, consistent and treatment-specific developmental abnormalities", the study found, including deformed skeletons and nervous systems.

Such high levels of plastic contamination are unlikely to be seen in most bodies of water, but could be found in severely polluted rockpools or ports, or after spill events, said the paper, published in the journal Environmental Pollution. 

Significant study has been carried out on the impact of plastic on marine animals when they accidentally ingest it, but less study has been done on the impact of chemicals in the water on early development.

Lead author Flora Rendell-Bhatti, of Exeter University's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, 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."