We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) a new emerging contaminant - First evidence of GRP impact on aquatic organisms
Summary
Scientists discovered that dust from fiberglass boats and materials (called GRP) can seriously harm small aquatic creatures like mussels and water fleas, causing inflammation in their organs and making it hard for them to swim or stay afloat. This matters because it's the first evidence that this common but overlooked material is polluting waterways much like microplastics do, and since these tiny creatures are the base of the food chain that eventually reaches our dinner plates, contamination here could work its way up to affect the fish and shellfish we eat.
Plastics and synthetic materials are polluting the world's oceans. In this study we exposed juvenile mussels, Mytilus edulis, to glass reinforced plastic (GRP) dust, under laboratory conditions. The study ran for a period of 7 days, to test for the morphological and potential physiological impacts of GRP. Infrared spectroscopy has revealed that the GRP resin material is poly diallyl phthalate. In mussels, particulate glass and plastics were detected in the digestive tubules and gills, with a suite of inflammatory features observed in all examined organs. In parallel, we observed the effect of powdered GRP on swimming behaviour and survival of water fleas, Daphnia magna. Polymer particles and fibreglass adhered to the filament hairs on appendages, including the caudal spine, in exposed organisms. Most importantly, swimming impairment and sinking of the animals were recorded shortly after exposure. The potential implications for severe localized impact of GRP on aquatic environment are discussed.