The effects of microplastic on freshwater Hydra attenuata feeding, morphology & reproduction,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 234, 2018, Pages 487-494, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Microplastic pollution has been a growing concern in the aquatic environment for several years. The abundance of microplastics in the environment has invariably led them to interact with a variety of different aquatic species. The small size of microplastics may make them bioavailable to a great range of species however, the impact this may
have is not fully understood. Much of the research on microplastic pollution has focused on the marine environment and species with little research undertaken in freshwater.

Here we examine the effect of microplastics on the freshwater cnidarian, Hydra attenuata. This study also describes the development and use of a bioassay to investigate the impact of microplastic on freshwater organisms. Hydra attenuata play a vital role in the planktonic make up of slow moving freshwater bodies which they inhabit and are sensitive environmental indicators. Hydra attenuata were exposed to polyethylene flakes (<400 ìm) extracted from
facewash at different concentrations (Control, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 g mL−1). The ecologically relevant endpoint of feeding was measured by determining the amount of prey consumed (Artemia salina) after 30 and 60 min. The amount of microplastics ingested was also recorded at 30 min and 60 min. After which Hydra attenuata were transferred to clean media and observed after 3, 24, 48 & 96 h with changes in their morphology and
reproduction (Hydranth numbers) recorded. The results of this study show that Hydra attenuata are capable of ingesting microplastics, with several individuals completely filling their gastric cavities. Significant reductions in feeding rates were observed after 30 min in 0.02 & 0.08 g mL−1 and after 60 min in 0.04 & 0.08 g mL−1 exposures.
Exposure to the microplastics caused significant changes to the morphology of Hydra attenuata, however these changes were non-lethal.
This study demonstrates that freshwater Hydra attenuata is capable of ingesting microplastics and that microplastic can significantly impact the feeding of freshwater organisms.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1b6Nag9SUVuO3h7XH6vg4DFGVGeMsebGB
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.029.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117303858)

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Environmentally relevant microplastic exposure affects sediment-dwelling bivalves,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 652-660, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:
Most microplastics are expected to sink and end up in marine sediments.
However, very little is known concerning their potential impact on
sediment-dwelling organisms.
We studied the long-term impact of microplastic exposure on two
sediment-dwelling bivalve species.
Ennucula tenuis and Abra nitida were exposed to polyethylene microparticles at
three concentrations (1; 10 and 25 mg/kg of sediment) for four weeks.
Three size classes (4–6; 20–25 and 125–500 μm) were used to study the
influence of size on microplastic ecotoxicity. Microplastic exposure did
not affect survival, condition index or burrowing behaviour in either
bivalve species. However, significant changes in energy reserves were
observed. No changes were observed in protein, carbohydrate or lipid
contents in E. tenuis, with the exception of a decrease in lipid content
for one condition. However, total energy decreased in a dose-dependent
manner for bivalves exposed to the largest particles. To the contrary,
no significant changes in total energy were observed for A. nitida,
although a significant decrease of protein content was observed for
individuals exposed to the largest particles, at all concentrations.

Concentration and particle size significantly influenced microplastic
impacts on bivalves, the largest particles and higher concentrations
leading to more severe effects. Several hypotheses are presented to
explain the observed modulation of energy reserves, including the
influence of microplastic size and concentration. Our results suggest
that long-term exposure to microplastics at environmentally relevant
concentrations can impact marine benthic biota.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qtbSjJ3KxG8tuLTrWDcredbW6bHP85oC
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.006.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974911734472X)

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Environmentally relevant microplastic exposure affects sediment-dwelling bivalves,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 652-660, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Most microplastics are expected to sink and end up in marine sediments.
However, very little is known concerning their potential impact on sediment-dwelling organisms. We studied the long-term impact of microplastic exposure on two sediment-dwelling bivalve species. Ennucula tenuis and Abra nitida were exposed to polyethylene microparticles at three concentrations (1; 10 and 25 mg/kg of sediment) for four weeks.
Three size classes (4–6; 20–25 and 125–500 μm) were used to study the influence of size on microplastic ecotoxicity. Microplastic exposure did not affect survival, condition index or burrowing behaviour in either bivalve species.

However, significant changes in energy reserves were observed. No changes were observed in protein, carbohydrate or lipid contents in E. tenuis, with the exception of a decrease in lipid content for one condition. However, total energy decreased in a dose-dependent manner for bivalves exposed to the largest particles. To the contrary,
no significant changes in total energy were observed for A. nitida, although a significant decrease of protein content was observed for individuals exposed to the largest particles, at all concentrations.
Concentration and particle size significantly influenced microplastic impacts on bivalves, the largest particles and higher concentrations leading to more severe effects. Several hypotheses are presented to explain the observed modulation of energy reserves, including the influence of microplastic size and concentration. Our results suggest
that long-term exposure to microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations can impact marine benthic biota.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qtbSjJ3KxG8tuLTrWDcredbW6bHP85oC
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.006.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974911734472X)

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Environmental Pollution, Volume 235, 2018, Pages 680-691, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Plastic debris has become an environmental problem during
recent years. Among the plastic debris, microplastics (<5 mm; MPLs)
imply an extra problem due to their capacity to enter into the fauna
through ingestion. In this work, we study the capacity of three MPLs,
that include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS) and
polystyrene carboxylate (PS-COOH), to sorb 18 perfluoroalkyl substances
(PFASs; including carboxylic acids, sulphonates and one sulphonamide)
from the surrounding waters (freshwater and seawater). Conclusions drawn
from the results are that perfluoro sulphonates and sulphonamides have
more tendency to be sorbed onto MPLs. In addition, PS and PS-COOH have
more affinity for PFASs than HDPE. Finally, the increment of
conductivity and pH of the water decreases the exposure time that is
necessary to reach equilibrium. However, the presence of salts decreases
the tendency of PFASs to be sorbed onto plastic surfaces. These results
highlight the problem associated with the presence of MPLs in inland and
marine waters since toxic compounds can be sorbed onto surrounding
plastics that could be ingested by aquatic fauna.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rtdzyjDJ0A375NPIpVx_KudbRZihrEQc

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.075.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117323436)

The post Adsorption of perfluoroalkyl substances on microplastics under environmental conditions appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Desorption modeling of hydrophobic organic chemicals from plastic sheets using experimentally determined diffusion coefficients in plastics,

Marine Pollution Bulletin,Volume 126, 2018, Pages 312-317, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

To evaluate rate of migration from plastic debris, desorption
of model hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) from polyethylene
(PE)/polypropylene (PP) films to water was measured using PE/PP films
homogeneously loaded with the HOCs. The HOCs fractions remaining in the
PE/PP films were compared with those predicted using a model
characterized by the mass transfer Biot number. The experimental data
agreed with the model simulation, indicating that HOCs desorption from
plastic particles can generally be described by the model. For
hexachlorocyclohexanes with lower plastic-water partition coefficients,
desorption was dominated by diffusion in the plastic film, whereas
desorption of chlorinated benzenes with higher partition coefficients
was determined by diffusion in the aqueous boundary layer. Evaluation of
the fraction of HOCs remaining in plastic films with respect to film
thickness and desorption time showed that the partition coefficient
between plastic and water is the most important parameter influencing
the desorption half-life.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1730989X/pdfft?md5=f5ebb209e983577bbc4953f1a01c24cc&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X1730989X-main.pdf

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.032.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1730989X)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ykdsS5Rmh7N1AHkGbjxJuZTV5DCwDlp9

The post Desorption modeling of hydrophobic organic chemicals from plastic sheets using experimentally determined diffusion coefficients in plastics appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 126, 2018, Pages 312-317, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

To evaluate rate of migration from plastic debris, desorption of model hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) from polyethylene
(PE)/polypropylene (PP) films to water was measured using PE/PP films homogeneously loaded with the HOCs. The HOCs fractions remaining in the PE/PP films were compared with those predicted using a model characterized by the mass transfer Biot number. The experimental data agreed with the model simulation, indicating that HOCs desorption from plastic particles can generally be described by the model.
For hexachlorocyclohexanes with lower plastic-water partition coefficients, desorption was dominated by diffusion in the plastic film, whereas desorption of chlorinated benzenes with higher partition coefficients was determined by diffusion in the aqueous boundary layer.

Evaluation of the fraction of HOCs remaining in plastic films with respect to film thickness and desorption time showed that the partition coefficient between plastic and water is the most important parameter influencing the desorption half-life.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.032.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1730989X)

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1730989X/pdfft?md5=f5ebb209e983577bbc4953f1a01c24cc&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X1730989X-main.pdf

The post Desorption modeling of hydrophobic organic chemicals from plastic sheets using experimentally determined diffusion coefficients in plastics appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Chenxi Wu, Kai Zhang, Xiaolong Huang, Jiantong Liu
Sorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products to polyethylene
debris
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
First online: 26 January 2016
DOI 10.1007/s11356-016-6121-7

Abstract
Presence of plastic debris in marine and freshwater ecosystems is
increasingly reported. Previous research suggested plastic debris had a
strong affiliation for many pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals.
In this study, the sorption behavior of pharmaceuticals and personal
care products (PPCPs), including carbamazepine (CBZ),
4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC), triclosan (TCS), and 17α-ethinyl
estradiol (EE2), to polyethylene (PE) debris (250 to 280 μm) was
investigated. The estimated linear sorption coefficients (K d) are
191.4, 311.5, 5140, and 53,225 L/kg for CBZ, EE2, TCS, and 4MBC, and are
related to their hydrophobicities. Increase of salinity from 0.05 to 3.5
% did not affect the sorption of 4MBC, CBZ, and EE2 but enhanced the
sorption of TCS, likely due to the salting-out effect. Increase of
dissolved organic matter (DOM) content using Aldrich humic acid (HA) as
a proxy reduced the sorption of 4MBC, EE2, and TCS, all of which show a
relatively strong affiliation to HA. Results from this work suggest that
microplastics may play an important role in the fate and transport of
PPCPs, especially for those hydrophobic ones.

Keywords
Microplastics PPCPs Sorption Hydrophobic interaction Salinity Dissolved
organic matter

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