Microplastics Cause 'serious Harm' To Marine Life

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology say a new study shows that microplastic pollution can cause long-lasting and irreversible damage to the development of marine animals.

The team exposed slipper limpets, an invasive snail species, to high concentrations of micro-beads, and found their growth-rates slowed. This stunted growth persisted even after the plastic was removed from their surroundings.

Micro-plastics can come from tiny pieces of polyethylene that are added as exfoliants to beauty and health products, and also from larger plastic debris that have broken down.

Research leader Professor Karen Chan said even though the limpets aren’t affected by lower concentrations of microplastics like those found in Hong Kong waters, the results are a concern nonetheless.

"We wonder if this invasive species is not affected but local species are. Then we're tilting the ecological balance so that the local species will be at a more disadvantaged position than they were before”, she said.

Chan said preliminary studies on local sea urchins suggest that they may be more sensitive to the presence of micro-plastics, but more research is needed to confirm whether this is the case.

Researchers believe that up to 9.4 billion microbeads are released into Hong Kong waters every day. But unlike in Canada and the UK, there is no ban on their use here.