A research jointly conducted by PolyU and the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) found that the death rate of young horseshoe crabs reaches 70% when living in an environment full of microplastics.
The research secured around HK$850,000 from the funds set up by the Airport Authority in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance for the third runway, with an aim of surveying the impacts of microplastics on the horseshoe crabs in the western waters in Hong Kong.
The team placed the horseshoe crabs in an environment of three various PET microplastics, and found that the death rate was up to 70%, much higher than the norm of 20%. Dr. S. G. Cheung, Assistant Professor of Department of Chemistry at CityU, explained the microplastics obstructed the intestines of the horseshoe crabs, resulting in malnutrition and slow in motion.
Dr James Fang Kar-hei, Assistant Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU, added that they also found Shui Hau at Lantau Island has the most microplastics compared to other places in the western waters in Hong Kong. Dr Fang explained that plastic garbage from the mainland China are always found during the rainy seasons in the western waters. He urged the Hong Kong Government to co-operate with the mainland to reduce the amount of plastic garbage entering the ocean, and to prohibit the trading of horseshoe crabs by law.
The research secured around HK$850,000 from the funds set up by the Airport Authority in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance for the third runway, with an aim of surveying the impacts of microplastics on the horseshoe crabs in the western waters in Hong Kong.
The team placed the horseshoe crabs in an environment of three various PET microplastics, and found that the death rate was up to 70%, much higher than the norm of 20%. Dr. S. G. Cheung, Assistant Professor of Department of Chemistry at CityU, explained the microplastics obstructed the intestines of the horseshoe crabs, resulting in malnutrition and slow in motion.
Dr James Fang Kar-hei, Assistant Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU, added that they also found Shui Hau at Lantau Island has the most microplastics compared to other places in the western waters in Hong Kong. Dr Fang explained that plastic garbage from the mainland China are always found during the rainy seasons in the western waters. He urged the Hong Kong Government to co-operate with the mainland to reduce the amount of plastic garbage entering the ocean, and to prohibit the trading of horseshoe crabs by law.
| 東方日報 A15 | 幼年馬蹄蟹 誤吞微膠粒 死亡率達70% | 2 Nov 2020 |
| 經濟日報 A19 | 三跑馬蹄蟹保育 揭微塑膠增死亡率 | 2 Nov 2020 |
