The results showed that exposure to elevated concentrations of these pellets hinders the normal development of all tested species, with critical effects on morphogenesis-the process by which organisms develop their shape. Deformities in morphological development render the embryos non-viable.
Conducted by an international collaboration between the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Italy and the University of Exeter in the UK, the findings underscore the severe potential consequences of increasing plastic pollution levels in the oceans.
Dr. Eva Jimenez-Guri, the lead researcher, explained, "Under high concentrations of new PVC pellets, developmental errors varied among species, with some unable to form essential structures like shells or notochords, and others halting development after minimal cell division."
The study also observed the effects of PVC pellet pollution on species that reproduce asexually, noting similar developmental disruptions.
Dr. Jimenez-Guri highlighted that such levels of pollution are typically seen in rare events, such as spills from cargo ships, pointing out a recent incident off the coast of Portugal. Additionally, high concentrations of these pellets have been documented near petrochemical plants along rivers and beaches.
The European Union is considering legislative measures to mitigate the release of these pre-production plastics. The research further explored the detrimental effects of various plastic samples collected from beaches, which, while less severe, still significantly impacted several marine species, including molluscs and sea urchins.
"Extreme pollution levels during reproductive periods could lead to the absence of a subsequent generation for these species," said Dr. Jimenez-Guri. She stressed the urgency of addressing plastic pollution to prevent its catastrophic impacts on marine life and ecosystems.
The research project received funding through a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action Fellowship granted to Dr. Jimenez-Guri.
Research Report:Developmental toxicity of pre-production plastic pellets affects a large swathe of invertebrate taxa
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