Plastics in natural environments fragment under the effect of UV, temperature and movement, altering their physico-chemical structure in aquatic environments and at sea.
These attacks will break down the macroplastics into microplastics and also release additives (plasticizers, stabilizers, flame retardants, dyes, etc.) which are all chemical products released into the water.
Plastic@Sea uses various tests that meet strict standards (ISO, OECD and ASTM) to highlight the potential toxicity of plastic fragmentation products. These tests are performed on several organisms with different sensitivities to pollutants (bacteria, algae, mussels, sea urchins, fish) in the form of acute (a few hours to a few days) and chronic (weeks to months) toxicity tests.
Plastic@Sea identifies the contaminants that cause toxicity and compares conventional plastics to more environmentally friendly alternatives. This enables partner companies to modify their product formulations to make them more environmentally friendly.
ISO OECD ASTM Standard Tests
Microtox
According to NF EN ISO 11348-3 standards: This standardized bioassay allows to evaluate the acute toxicity of a pollutant by measuring its effects on the bioluminescence of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri.
Fish
This short-term chronic test allows to determine the effects of a pollutant on the reproductive success of the fish Oryzias melastigma (OECD TG 229).
Microalgae
This acute test determines the effects of a substance on the growth of freshwater algae and/or cyanobacteria (OECD 201).
Moulds
The chronic bioaccumulation test is used to test the effects of contaminants on the health of mussels over several months. It involves measuring the effects of a pollutant that has become bioavailable on the health and energy balance of a bivalve. Using innovative tools, these measurements make it possible to define the long-term effects of a pollutant.
Sea Urchins
The acute spermiotoxicity test measures the impact of a pollutant on the ability of spermatozoa to fertilize eggs.
(US EPA standard 1008.0)
The larval development toxicity test consists of measuring the effects of pollutants on the growth and early division stages of sea urchin embryos (ASTM standard E1563-98)