Study reveals persistent nurdle pollution from Keralam shipwreck

A one-year study by SDMRI published in the 'Marine Pollution Bulletin' tracked environmental impacts following the May 2025 sinking of container vessel MSC ELSA-3 off Keralam.

Shoreline nurdle abundance initially reached 31,230 items per square meter and dropped by over 80% within three months, though pellets were found buried 20 cm deep in beach sediments by May 2026.

Weathered pellets accumulated heavy metals and toxic chemicals while developing microbial communities with pathogenic bacteria exceeding 100,000 colony-forming units per gram.