VLADIVOSTOK, July 29 Scientists from the Ilychev Pacific Oceanological Institute are studying the effect of medical masks that are massively released into sea waters on marine invertebrates, the institute reports.
It is noted that employees of the ecotoxicological unit at the Popov Island MES on Popov Island in Vladivostok are conducting research that helps determine the impact of plastic on marine invertebrates. Scientists are particularly concerned about the medical masks left over from the pandemic: they have flooded sea waters and coastlines, creating additional threats to the marine ecosystem. Their impact on the environment requires careful study. 
«For the experiment, scientists prepared two types of medical masks in advance, new and «aged», which were specially exposed to natural factors for six months. Then, based on these materials, an aqueous extract was made in which the spermatozoa of the sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis were kept. Then, experiments will be conducted in laboratory conditions to determine genotoxicity and indicators of other biochemical markers,» the report says.
Scientists note that the reproductive cells of marine invertebrates become more vulnerable to toxins in their habitat. This interaction can cause mutations and toxic effects, which in turn leads to a decrease in population numbers and abnormalities in the development of their offspring.
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