Toxic soup in our oceans

Photo: BC Ferries

Researchers at Simon Fraser University say something as innocuous as a child's toy left on a beach can lead to toxic metals being released into aquatic ecosystems.

Leah Bendell and Bertrand Munier said their study shows even micro plastic particles of less than five millimetres can release toxic metals that are a significant risk to coastal ecosystems.

Munier, who is an environmental engineering masters student, spent four weeks picking up plastic debris from nine beaches along the Burrard Inlet.

He collected more than 150 plastic items including children's toys, personal hygiene items and food packaging, and found traces of metals in all of them.