Current Status of the Microplastic Pollution in Sri Lanka: A Macro Environmental Crisis

Sri Lanka, a country rich in biodiversity and natural environments, is now facing an insidious danger due to microplastic pollution. Sri Lanka, as a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, is especially exposed to the worldwide plastic epidemic, which has now reached a critical point.

What are Microplastics (MPs)?

Tiny plastic particles with sizes ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm, formed from the breakdown of larger plastics are called microplastics (Fig. 1). According to the National Ocean Service in the USA, MPs can come from a variety of sources including larger plastic pieces that have broken apart, resin pellets used for plastic manufacturing, or in the form of small microbeads, which are used in health and beauty care products (NOAA, 2024).

Figure 1: Size distribution of plastics.

Macro Impacts of MPs

Macro Impacts of MPs

When considering the origin of MPs refined crude oils are used to produce a range of petrochemicals which are the building blocks of plastic. With time plastic products undergo physical, chemical and biological degradation and produce macropastics then further into mesoplastics and microplastics. MPs can be divided into two groups; primary and secondary MP as in Figure 2. Produced particles enter the environment via water current, wind, and by the movement of organisms and finally, bioaccumulation takes place. Accumulation in the environment and bioaccumulation have significant implications on human and environment health, such as;

• MPs undergo physical changes and can absorb pollutants, leading to environmental impacts
• MPs can spread through wind, water currents, organisms, accumulating in oceans, rivers, lakes, and soil
• MPs absorb contaminants such as PAHs, PCBs, dioxins, metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and herbicides
• MPs are persistent, toxic, and abundant, posing serious ecological and health risks
• Marine organisms ingest MPs, potentially entering the food chain and affecting wildlife and human health
• Soil ecosystems are also impacted by MPs, affecting food sources and various organisms.
• Exposure to MPs through food, water, and inhalation poses a potential risk to human health
• Presence of MPs can lead to non-native species introduction, altered microbial communities, and increased disease transmission

MPs Pollution in Sri Lanka: A Growing Concern

Recent research led by Athawuda and Samarasinghe in 2020 and 2021 reveals that plastic consumption in Sri Lanka is increasing by 16% annually, reaching 265,000 megagrams per year, making Sri Lanka the 5th largest plastic polluter globally ( Athawuda et al., 2020, Samarasinghe et al., 2021). The 2021 X-Press Pearl disaster, which spilled 1,680 tons of small plastic nurdles, highlighted the urgent need to address MPs pollution, urging increased scientific research, public awareness, and potential policy changes. Despite some awareness of macro plastic pollution, understanding of MPs remains limited among Sri Lankans. Local researchers emphasize the need for national or regional policies to mitigate MPs risks, focusing on their distribution, and potential risks, and proposing solutions based on global lessons. Institutions such as universities, the Marine Environment Protection Authority, and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) are actively involved in addressing this issue, evaluating MPs’ presence along coastlines, and identifying contamination hotspots.

Figure 2: Fate of MPs.

A Comprehensive Study on MPs and Findings
The research conducted on MP pollution in Sri Lanka has gained significant prominence in recent times, particularly concerning marine and coastal environments and products containing MPs. This attention has been fueled by incidents such as the X-Press Pearl disaster in 2021. While global interest in MPs extends back five decades, all peer-reviewed articles regarding Sri Lanka’s MPs pollution have emerged within the last six years (Jayasiri et al., 2023). Notably, the 2021 disaster highlighted the urgency for increased research into the environmental impact of MPs and the implementation of effective policies. The research primarily revolves around identifying and assessing the effects of MPs, and analyzing samples from water, sand, soil, sediments, and various products. Prominent journals like Marine Pollution Bulletin, Environment Pollution, Science of Total Environment, and Journal of Hazardous Materials have published these studies (Abeynayaka et al., 2022, Kapukotuwa et al., 2022, Perera et al., 2022, Samarasinghe et al., 2021). The objectives of these studies vary, encompassing the identification of MPs in personal care items, evaluation of contamination levels in salts, the establishment of baseline data for ecological impact research, and the monitoring of pollution along coastlines.

Multiple research institutions in Sri Lanka, prominently the University of Uwa Wellassa and the University of Ruhuna, have actively engaged in these studies (Koongolla et al., 2018, Athawuda et al., 2020). Collaboration with foreign institutions from the USA, India, China, and Taiwan has further enriched the research. Various types, shapes, and colors of MPs have been identified in Sri Lanka, including fragments, filaments, fibers, and foam, shedding light on potential sources (Fig. 3).The urgency to regulate MPs pollution in Sri Lanka is evident due to its environmental and health implications. The existing research and recommendations in this area are limited, with a few studies proposing mitigation measures. These recommendations encompass addressing research gaps, enhancing infrastructure, educating the public, and bolstering policy support (Karthik et al., 2022, Piyawardhana et al., 2022, Nawalage et al., 2022, Sevwandi et al., 2021, Sewwandi et al., 2022).

Figure 3: Simple statistics of MP research carried out in Sri Lanka; (A) Percentage of the studied systems; (B) Percentage of field samples under investigation; (C) Percentage of the color of detected MP; (D) Percentage of shapes of detected MP. (Jayasiri et al., 2023).

Research gaps include understanding MPs chemistry, interactions with contaminants and microorganisms, and ecological impacts. Proposed infrastructure improvements involve sewage treatment and long-term monitoring. Public awareness initiatives acknowledge the role of behavioral changes in reducing pollution (Fig. 4). Policy support is vital, involving the strengthening of existing regulations, adopting new ones, introducing producer responsibility measures, reducing plastic waste generation, and implementing best environmental practices. However, these suggestions need thorough transformation into practical policies via an inclusive approach involving stakeholders.

Figure 4: Public awareness program on plastic pollution conducted by the Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, with the support of various government and non-government organizations.

Sri Lanka’s policies predominantly focus on macro plastics, indirectly impacting MPs regulation as they can degrade over time. Globally, numerous countries have implemented policies targeting plastic pollution, with a growing focus on MPs. Effectiveness varies due to stakeholder engagement, implementation challenges, and comprehensive regulations across the plastic lifecycle. In conclusion, while Sri Lanka’s attention to MP pollution is increasing, comprehensive research and policy frameworks are lacking. Existing policies mainly address macro plastics, leaving their impact on MPs uncertain. Worldwide efforts to regulate MP pollution through policies are progressing, but challenges in implementation and stakeholder acceptance persist.

The urgency for policy solutions to combat MPs pollution’s adverse effects in Sri Lanka is undeniable, given its far-reaching consequences for the environment and human health. Nonetheless, challenges like limited knowledge about pollutant behaviors, sources, pathways, and misallocated resources complicate effective regulation. While various countries globally have instituted measures to mitigate MPs risks, few consider the entire plastic lifecycle. Given these issues, the study proposes policy recommendations to manage MPs risk in Sri Lanka. These recommendations span different stages of the plastic cycle and target diverse stakeholders. They encompass import regulations, design and production standards, packaging and distribution rules, usage guidelines, and other strategies like fostering alternative research, promoting awareness, and defining permissible limits of MPs. However, these suggestions necessitate stakeholder consultation and policy effectiveness evaluations before implementation. The study underscores the pressing need for more comprehensive research and data collection to implement effective policies, especially in light of the X-Press Pearl incident. The proposed policy suggestions aim to mitigate MPs pollution risks across various stages of the plastic lifecycle in Sri Lanka. In conclusion, the detrimental impacts of MP pollution are evident worldwide, yet Sri Lanka’s attention to this issue remains inadequate. The X-Press Pearl incident highlights the urgency of addressing MP pollution, demanding well-informed policymaking supported by robust data (Jayasiri et al., 2023).

A Call for Collective Action
While Sri Lanka takes crucial steps towards combating MP pollution, it is evident that this is a global problem that demands collective action. International cooperation and knowledge-sharing are essential in finding effective and sustainable solutions to safeguard our oceans and planet from the scourge of MPs. As we look towards a plastic-free future, individuals, governments, industries, and international organizations need to unite in the fight against MPs pollution. Only through concerted efforts, we can hope to preserve the natural beauty of Sri Lanka and the world’s oceans for generations to come.

References
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Authors:

Dr. Pradeep Gajanayake
Senior Lecturer,
Department of Biosystems Technology,
Faculty of Technology,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Co Author

Mrs. Sajani H. Kolambage
Research Assistant,
Department of Biosystems Technology,
Faculty of Technology,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura