Container Overboard in the Port of New Orleans, LA, USA

On 2 August 2 2020, while transferring cargo in the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, the container ship M/V CMA CGM Bianca dropped a container filled with ~20 metric tons of preproduction resin pellets. An estimated 800 sacks (25 kg each) were released into the Mississippi River. Despite numerous pellet spills from cargo ships worldwide, only the 2021 M/V X-Press Pearl spill has been extensively studied. The Bianca incident provided a unique opportunity to expand our understanding of these acute pollution events. A timeline of the event revealed a delayed response that led to a series of missed opportunities. Confusion centered on the lack of regulatory oversight on plastic spills, as resin pellets are not considered hazardous in the United States and hence have not yet been regulated. Samples collected at a heavily impacted site on 13 August 2020, and 17 October 2020, allowed us to characterize the chemical and physical properties of the material and determine whether any changes occurred. Remnants of the sacks found nearby were labeled “polyethylene.” The density and infrared (IR) spectra of the samples were consistent with polyethylene but were inconclusive in designating them as a low-, linear low-, or high-density product. While there were only marginal differences in the shape, size, and color between the two sampling days, there was an appreciable shift in the IR spectra. An explanation for the shift, but not yet tested, was weathering-induced changes in the polymer or its additives. However, it is possible the pellets lost from the containers were heterogeneous. Continued monitoring of remaining pellets will provide valuable and previously unknown insights into the fate and impact of plastic spills. Overall, this preliminary investigation highlights the need for agencies to clarify if pellet spills are hazardous or, at least, develop detailed response plans.