Occurrence and effects of plastic additives on marine environments and organisms: A review

Abstract

Plastics debris, especially microplastics, have been found worldwide in all marine compartments. Much research has been carried out on adsorbed pollutants on plastic pieces and hydrophobic organic compounds (HOC) associated with microplastics. However, only a few studies have focused on plastic additives. These chemicals are incorporated into plastics from which they can leach out as most of them are not chemically bound. As a consequence of plastic accumulation and fragmentation in oceans, plastic additives could represent an increasing ecotoxicological risk for marine organisms. The present work reviewed the main class of plastic additives identified in the literature, their occurrence in the marine environment, as well as their effects on and transfers to marine organisms. This work identified polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), phthalates, nonylphenols (NP), bisphenol A (BPA) and antioxidants as the most common plastic additives found in marine environments. Moreover, transfer of these plastic additives to marine organisms has been demonstrated both in laboratory and field studies. Upcoming research focusing on the toxicity of microplastics should include these plastic additives as potential hazards for marine organisms, and a greater focus on the transport and fate of plastic additives is now required considering that these chemicals may easily leach out from plastics.

Chronic microfiber exposure in adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

“…Tank water samples were taken immediately before complete water changes, filtered (0.2μm) to remove MFs, and stored at -80ºC for future chemical analyses to determine presence and concentrations of dyes and other additives. At 7,14, and 21 days, feces were collected by siphoning bottoms of each tank, imaged under a stereomicroscope and then transferred to pre-weighed 1.7 mL Eppendorf tubes (1 tube/tank). Samples were processed with H 2 O 2 and counted as described above (section 2.3), enabling calculation of MF number and length.…”

The Influence of New and Artificial Aged Microplastic and Leachates on the Germination of Lepidium sativum L.

“…Initially, plastic polymers were thought to be inert and therefore of low concern in terms of toxicity and thus pose no adverse effects to consumers or the environment. Plastics contain additives [17,18] which provide particular characteristics to the product such as, e.g., bio-stabilizers, antimicrobials, antioxidants, antistatic agents, blowing agents, fillers/extenders, flame retardants, fragrances, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, pigments, and process aids [18]. These additives could, however, leach out into the surrounding environment and accumulate in water, sediment, food, or even body tissues [19].…”

Fulmar Litter EcoQO monitoring in the Netherlands : update 2016

“…Plastics gradually break down to microscopically small particles, but these may pose an even more serious problem (Thompson et al 2004;Bergmann et al 2015). Although experimental results and model predictions are not all in agreement, concerns about microplastics are increasing as plastics can adsorb and concentrate organic pollutants from the surrounding water and, once ingested, might release chemicals into marine organisms with associated negative effects (Arthur et al 2009;Browne et al 2008Browne et al , 2013Endo et al 2005Endo et al , 2013Gouin et al 2011;Koelmans et al 2013aKoelmans et al ,b, 2014Koelmans et al , 2016Moore 2008;Teuten et al 2007Teuten et al , 2009Chua et al 2014;Rochman et al 2013Rochman et al , 2014aTanaka et al 2013;Thompson et al 2009;Van Cauwenberghe & Janssen 2014;Cole et al 2015;Watts et al 2015;CBD 2016;Beaman & Bergeron 2016;Peda et al 2016;Besseling et al 2017;Heindler et al 2017;Hermabessiere et al 2017;Ribeiro et al 2017). Thus, in addition to the toxic substances incorporated into plastics in the manufacturing process, plastics may concentrate pollutants from the environment and act as a pathway adding to their accumulation in marine organisms.…”