Scientific paper published by University of Plymouth reveals impact ‘bio-bead’ spillage in Fal Estuary has had on ecosystem

Billions of highly toxic plastic pellets that spilled into an estuary in Cornwall  ten years ago have entered the food chain, scientists have discovered.

Bio-beads – small wrinkled or ridged plastic pellets – are used as a base for the growth of bacteria that digest unwanted compounds in wastewater. They are used at nine of South West Water’s 650+ wastewater plants. Over the years they have leaked into the environment in vast quantities – including during an incident ten years ago which saw ‘billions’ spill into the Fal Estuary from a treatment works near Truro – say researchers.

A scientific paper published by Dr Andrew Turner from the University of Plymouth and two campaigners from Cornish beach cleaning group Rame Peninsula Beach Care (RPBC),  highlights the toxicity of bio-beads – a type of plastic biomedia used to filter our wastewater.

The paper, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, analyses the chemistry of these small pellets, which can be found on many beaches around the south west region, in some places being the most common form of microplastic found, as well as further afield. Bio-beads, small wrinkled or ridged plastic pellets used as a base for the growth of bacteria that digest unwanted compounds in wastewater, are used at nine of South West Water’s 650+ wastewater plants. Over the years they have leaked into the environment in large quantities.

The most notable incident was 10 years ago when billions of them escaped from a wastewater plant in Truro, says the University of Plymouth. Dr Turner said: “Despite their superficial similarity to nurdles (pre-production industrial plastic pellets), this paper highlights the fact that bio-beads are quite different chemically. Made from recycled plastics, many bio-beads contain high levels of toxic additives in potentially hazardous concentrations, most likely to have come from the recycling of waste electronic items.”

The contaminants found in the bio-beads include lead, antimony, bismuth, bromines and cadmium – all of which could potentially have serious physiological impacts on wildlife ingesting them. Although tight restrictions have been placed on the recycling of waste electronics since 2006, many of the bio-beads used by SWW – and hence those which have escaped into the environment – pre-date this regulation.  Co-author Claire Wallerstein, of RPBC, added: “We recently analysed regurgitated matter from a gull on the Fal estuary, downstream of the major SWW spill 10 years ago. About half of the total plastic pieces in it were bio-beads, showing quite clearly that these pellets are attractive to wildlife and are being eaten by them. Click here to read more