With reference to nurdle pollution along the Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts, consider the following statements: 1. Nurdle abundance declined by more than 80% within three months of the spill. 2. Nurdles are plastic resin pellets that can accumulate contaminants and develop microbial life. 3. The shoreline abundance of nurdles peaked at over 40,000 items per m2 following the spill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Nurdle Pollution Peaks at 31,230 Items per m² off Kerala and Tamil Nadu Coasts

GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims + Mains· 15 September 2026

Marine microplastic pollution and bioaccumulation: a GS3 Environmental Ecology and Science & Technology case study.

Why in news

The Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) released a study on persistent nurdle pollution and ecological impacts along the Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts following the May 2025 sinking of the MSC ELSA-3.

Background

The MSC ELSA-3 vessel carried approximately 640 containers of plastic resin pellets and hazardous cargo. SDMRI monitored 93 sites over one year, recording a peak shoreline abundance of 31,230 nurdles per m².

Facts for Prelims

PlaceThe spill occurred off the coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
FactNurdle abundance peaked at 31,230 items per m² post-spill.
FactNurdle abundance declined by more than 80% within three months of the spill.
S&TNurdles are plastic resin pellets that accumulate contaminants and develop microbial life.

Prelims practice question

With reference to nurdle pollution along the Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts, consider the following statements:

Nurdle abundance declined by more than 80% within three months of the spill.
Nurdles are plastic resin pellets that can accumulate contaminants and develop microbial life.
The shoreline abundance of nurdles peaked at over 40,000 items per m2 following the spill.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)3 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only — Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: The peak shoreline abundance was 31,230 items per m2.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the ecological and health implications of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems and suggest measures for effective maritime spill management.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Bioaccumulation risk: Ingestion of weathered nurdles by fish leading to systemic health issues
Monitoring gaps: Difficulty in tracking emerging hotspots of plastic debris post-spill
Regulatory oversight: Need for stringent hazardous cargo management and maritime spill response protocols

Keywords: Microplastic pollution · Bioaccumulation · Marine ecology · Spill management · Environmental monitoring

Read the full news →Source: The Hindu ↗Also: GS3 · Pollution (air, water, plastic)Also: GS1 · Places in news / mapping

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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.