Colombo: Four years after the catastrophic X-Press Pearl cargo ship disaster, Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the environmental fallout, as volunteers tirelessly work to remove toxic plastic pellets from its beaches. These pellets, known as nurdles, have caused widespread devastation to marine life and the local ecosystem.

According to BBC, the X-Press Pearl incident in 2021 led to the largest plastic spill on record, releasing billions of nurdles and hazardous substances like engine fuel, acid, caustic soda, lead, and epoxy resin into the ocean. The immediate aftermath saw Sri Lanka’s coastlines inundated with plastic, while dead marine animals began washing ashore, displaying severe burn marks and other signs of chemical exposure.

The disaster unfolded when a container carrying nitric acid began leaking shortly after the ship departed Dubai Port, en route to Malaysia. Despite attempts to dock at ports in Qatar and India, the vessel was denied entry, and the leak persisted until it reached Sri Lankan waters on May 19, 2021. The ship caught fire and eventually sank, spilling its toxic cargo into the sea.

Environmentalists, including Muditha Katuwawala of the Pearl Protectors, have been at the forefront of cleanup efforts. Initially collecting hundreds of kilograms of nurdles daily, volunteers have since scaled back their operations as the pellets became more dispersed and harder to detect. However, the threat remains as scientists warn of increasing toxicity levels in the nurdles, which absorb pollution from the environment.

In collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University, researchers have found that the most contaminated nurdles are those that burned in the fire, leaching metals like arsenic and lead into the ocean. Tests on fish near the disaster site revealed contamination levels exceeding safe limits, raising concerns about the long-term impact on marine life and human health.

The Sri Lankan government has sought compensation from the ship’s owner, X-Press Feeders Ltd, which claims to have spent over $130 million on cleanup efforts and paid $20 million to the government. However, the government argues that these measures are insufficient and is pursuing additional legal action. A recent ruling by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court ordered the company to make an initial payment of $1 billion to cover economic and environmental damages.

The disaster has had profound effects on local communities, particularly fishermen whose livelihoods depend on the sea. With dwindling fish stocks and ongoing environmental concerns, many are considering leaving the industry altogether. Despite the efforts to address the damage, the shadow of the X-Press Pearl disaster continues to loom over Sri Lanka, threatening both its natural resources and the well-being of its people.