Effects of Microplastic on Fitness and PCB Bioaccumulation by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.)

Abstract

It has been speculated that marine microplastics may cause negative effects on benthic marine organisms and increase bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Here, we provide the first controlled study of plastic effects on benthic organisms including transfer of POPs. The effects of polystyrene (PS) microplastic on survival, activity, and bodyweight, as well as the transfer of 19 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were assessed in bioassays with Arenicola marina (L.). PS was pre-equilibrated in natively contaminated sediment. A positive relation was observed between microplastic concentration in the sediment and both uptake of plastic particles and weight loss by A. marina. Furthermore, a reduction in feeding activity was observed at a PS dose of 7.4% dry weight. A low PS dose of 0.074% increased bioaccumulation of PCBs by a factor of 1.1-3.6, an effect that was significant for ΣPCBs and several individual congeners. At higher doses, bioaccumulation decreased compared to the low dose, which however, was only significant for PCB105. PS had statistically significant effects on the organisms' fitness and bioaccumulation, but the magnitude of the effects was not high. This may be different for sites with different plastic concentrations, or plastics with a higher affinity for POPs.

Ingestion of Microplastic Has Limited Impact on a Marine Larva

“…Positive correlations between food concentration and consumption rates have been described for a range of marine larvae [39][40][41] , possibly explaining why the number of T. gratilla larvae that ingested microspheres and the number of microspheres ingested per larvae, increased with elevated microsphere concentration. Similarly, a positive relationship between the concentration of microplastic and the amount of microplastics consumed has been observed for adults of the polychaete A. marina 15 .…”

“…Similarly, Besseling et al 15 and Ugolini et al 19 found no effect of microplastic ingestion on the survival of the adult polychaete A. marina and amphipod T. saltator. Sublethal effects of ingestion of microplastics were more apparent, manifesting as reduced larval body width.…”

“…Sublethal effects of ingestion of microplastics were more apparent, manifesting as reduced larval body width. Similarly, sub-lethal effects of microplastic ingestion have been demonstrated for adult marine invertebrates [15][16][17][18] . Importantly, the reduction of body width of T. gratilla larvae only occurred at the highest concentration of microplastics tested here, which is far in excess of the maximum concentration of microplastics recorded in marine habitats 42 .…”

Focal plane array detector-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging for the analysis of microplastics in environmental samples

“…[32][33][34][35][36] Hence, when microplastics, because of their minuteness, enter marine food webs at low trophic levels they simultaneously harbour the risk of potentially propagating these toxic substances up the food chain. [37,38] This issue is discussed controversially in recent research and although several studies suggest it being of minor importance from a risk assessment perspective [39,40] microplastics have the potential to transport POPs to human food. [33] In addition, because of their material properties many microplastic particles are buoyant and their durability enables them to travel long distances.…”

Sorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products to polyethylene debris

“…Microplastics can therefore act as carriers for the transport of those contaminants. When ingested by aquatic organisms, contaminants carried by microplastics can be released and induce associated harmful effects (Bakir et al 2014a;Besseling et al 2012;Rochman et al 2013b).…”