Levels of lead and other heavy metals spiked in L.A.’s coastal waters after the January fires, raising serious concerns for the long-term health of the marine food chain.

All of this is part of an effort to protect sea life from the immediate ... which could enter the food chain and pose health risks to marine life and humans over time.

Dr. Peng Chen, lead author on the study at The University of Manchester, said "Microplastics on their own can be toxic to deep-sea life ... can affect the entire food chain." ...

Even at relatively low concentrations, these metals can damage cells and disrupt reproduction and other biological processes in sea animals ... their way up the food chain as those organisms ...

Even at relatively low concentrations, these metals can damage cells and disrupt reproduction and other biological processes in sea animals ... their way up the food chain as those organisms ...