What Are Nurdles And How Did They End Up Washing Ashore In Kerala?

Earlier this week, at least over a thousand nurdles or small plastic pellets were washed ashore across the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram. This happened after a Liberian cargo vessel accidentally sank and spilt the cargo containers containing nurdles or small plastic pellets in the sea and off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Though the people who were on the ship are now safe, the spillage of these nurdles poses a serious risk to marine life and the environment. Read on to learn more about what nurdles are and the risk they pose to marine life.

What Are Nurdles And Why Are They A Threat To Marine Life?

For those who don’t know, nurdles are small white plastic pellets used as raw material to make plastic products. Manufacturers also use them in packaging to secure bottles, parcels and containers during transport. As per the report of Hindustan Times, their spillage, especially into the ocean, can threaten marine life and humans.

Since these nurdles resemble fish eggs, it is easy for fish to ingest them, harming their digestion and the food chain. In the long run, this could also affect humans. Moreover, nurdles pose a serious threat to the environment, as they are long-lasting and difficult to clean up. Over time, they can break down into microplastics, which can persist in the sand for years. 

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Kerala CM To Deploy Civil Volunteers To Help Clean The Shores And Tackle Nurdles 

Earlier this week, a Liberian cargo vessel sank off the coast, causing an oil spill and a release of nurdles from its containers. This accidental spillage of nurdles on the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram has alarmed the residents, environmentalists, and marine specialists, as it can reportedly pose a serious threat to marine life and the ocean’s food chain. To curb this, according to Hindustan Times, the Kerala government will deploy volunteers every 100 metres along the coast to clean nurdles from beaches.

What Are The Experts Saying?

According to Biju Kumar, a professor from the department of aquatic biology and fisheries at the University of Kerala, nurdles can have a big impact on marine life and nearby communities if not dealt with promptly and responsibly. Commenting on this ongoing situation, he wrote on his Facebook account, “Nurdles resemble fish eggs and can be easily consumed by fish, turtles, and seabirds, resulting in intestinal blockages and starvation. These small plastic pellets can accumulate in sand and estuaries.”

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The CM of Kerala has stated that the government will deploy volunteers every 100 metres to clean up the waste. This manual effort could help clear the coast of nurdles faster. Additionally, the police department and fire rescue teams will oversee the clean-up. 

Lija Bose, vice president of Anchuthengu Panchayat, told Hindustan Times, “It’s granular in size and therefore extremely hard to remove from the coast. As per the directions of the government, we have deputed a few volunteers who will start the work on Thursday.”

The CM also held talks with environmental experts and district collectors about the accidental nurdle spill from the vessel. He also discussed the long-term impact it could have on marine life. However, the authorities and the residents are still awaiting the final decision.

Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/Sarah Nassif