http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es403605f

Chelsea M. Rochman, Carlos Manzano, Brian T. Hentschel, Staci L. Massey
Simonich, and Eunha Hoh
Polystyrene Plastic: A Source and Sink for Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons in the Marine Environment
Environ. Sci. Technol., 2013, 47 (24), pp 13976?13984
DOI: 10.1021/es403605f

Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on virgin polystyrene (PS) and
PS marine debris led us to examine PS as a source and sink for PAHs in
the marine environment. At two locations in San Diego Bay, we measured
sorption of PAHs to PS pellets, sampling at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12
months. We detected 25 PAHs using a new analytical method with
comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to
time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Several congeners were detected on
samples before deployment. After deployment, some concentrations
decreased (1,3-dimethylnaphthalene and 2,6-methylnaphthalene), while
most increased [2-methylanthracene and all parent PAHs (PPAHs), except
fluorene and fluoranthene], suggesting that PS debris is a source and
sink for PAHs. When sorbed concentrations of PPAHs on PS are compared to
the five most common polymers [polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density
polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP)], PS sorbed greater
concentrations than PP, PET, and PVC, similar to HDPE and LDPE. Most
strikingly, at 0 months, PPAHs on PS ranged from 8 to 200 times greater
than on PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, and PP. The combination of greater PAHs in
virgin pellets and large sorption suggests that PS may pose a greater
risk of exposure to PAHs upon ingestion.