polystyrene (PS) Archives - One Earth - One Ocean e. V.

Pollutants bioavailability and toxicological risk from microplastics to marine mussels

guenther — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 21:33:49 +0000

Carlo Giacomo Avio, Stefania Gorbi, Massimo Milan, Maura Benedetti,
Daniele Fattorini, Giuseppe d’Errico, Marianna Pauletto, Luca
Bargelloni, Francesco Regoli, Pollutants bioavailability and
toxicological risk from microplastics to marine mussels, Environmental
Pollution, Volume 198, March 2015, Pages 211-222, ISSN 0269-7491,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.12.021.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749114005211)
Abstract: Microplastics represent a growing environmental concern for
the oceans due to their potential of adsorbing chemical pollutants, thus
representing a still unexplored source of exposure for aquatic
organisms. In this study polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS)
microplastics were shown to adsorb pyrene with a time and dose-dependent
relationship. Results also indicated a marked capability of contaminated
microplastics to transfer this model PAH to exposed mussels Mytilus
galloprovincialis; tissue localization of microplastics occurred in
haemolymph, gills and especially digestive tissues where a marked
accumulation of pyrene was also observed. Cellular effects included
alterations of immunological responses, lysosomal compartment,
peroxisomal proliferation, antioxidant system, neurotoxic effects, onset
of genotoxicity; changes in gene expression profile was also
demonstrated through a new DNA microarray platform. The study provided
the evidence that microplastics adsorb PAHs, emphasizing an elevated
bioavailability of these chemicals after the ingestion, and the
toxicological implications due to responsiveness of several molecular
and cellular pathways to microplastics.
Keywords: Microplastic; PAHs; Bioavailability; Biomarkers; Mussels;
Transcriptomics

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) formation from the pyrolysis of different municipal solid waste fractions

guenther — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 20:44:13 +0000

Hui Zhou, Chunfei Wu, Jude A. Onwudili, Aihong Meng, Yanguo Zhang, Paul
T. Williams, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) formation from the
pyrolysis of different municipal solid waste fractions, Waste
Management, Available online 11 October 2014, ISSN 0956-053X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2014.09.014.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X1400436X)
Abstract: The formation of 2?4 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH) from the pyrolysis of nine different municipal solid waste
fractions (xylan, cellulose, lignin, pectin, starch, polyethylene (PE),
polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene
terephthalate (PET)) were investigated in a fixed bed furnace at 800 °C.
The mass distribution of pyrolysis was also reported. The results showed
that PS generated the most total PAH, followed by PVC, PET, and lignin.
More PAH were detected from the pyrolysis of plastics than the pyrolysis
of biomass. In the biomass group, lignin generated more PAH than others.
Naphthalene was the most abundant PAH, and the amount of
1-methynaphthalene and 2-methynaphthalene was also notable. Phenanthrene
and fluorene were the most abundant 3-ring PAH, while benzo[a]anthracene
and chrysene were notable in the tar of PS, PVC, and PET. 2-ring PAH
dominated all tar samples, and varied from 40 wt.% to 70 wt.%. For PS,
PET and lignin, PAH may be generated directly from the aromatic
structure of the feedstock.
Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH); Waste; Plastics;
Biomass; Pyrolysis

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Use of indicator chemicals to characterize the plastic fragments ingested by Laysan albatross

guenther — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 19:19:36 +0000

Frances Nilsen, K. David Hyrenbach, Jiasong Fang, Brenda Jensen, Use of
indicator chemicals to characterize the plastic fragments ingested by
Laysan albatross, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 87, Issues 1?2, 15
October 2014, Pages 230-236, ISSN 0025-326X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.07.055.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14005141)
Abstract: Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) ingest plastic
marine debris of a wide range of shape, sizes and sources. To better
characterize this plastic and provide insights regarding its provenance
and persistence in the environment, we developed a simple method to
classify plastic fragments of unknown origin according to the resin
codes used by the Society of Plastics Industry. Known plastics were
analyzed by gas chromatography?mass spectroscopy (GC?MS) to identify
indicator chemicals characteristic of each plastic resin. Application of
this method to fragments of ingested plastic debris from boluses of
Laysan albatross from Kure Atoll, Hawai?i, yielded proportions of 0.8%
High Density Polyethylene, 6.8% Polystyrene, 8.5% Polyethylene
Terephthalate, 20.5% Polyvinyl Chloride and 68.4% Polypropylene. Some
fragments were composed of multiple resin types. These results suggest
that infrequently recycled plastics are the dominant fragments ingested
by albatross, and that these are the most prevalent and persistent resin
types in the marine environment.
Keywords: Plastic ingestion; Marine debris; Laysan albatross;
Phoebastria immutabilis; Hawai?i; Seabird

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The partition behavior of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA) on microplastics

guenther — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:50:02 +0000

Fei Wang, Kai Min Shih, Xiao Yan Li, The partition behavior of
perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA) on
microplastics, Chemosphere, Volume 119, January 2015, Pages 841-847,
ISSN 0045-6535, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.047.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653514010200)
Abstract: Microplastics have been recognized as transport vectors for
heavy metals and organic pollutants to marine animals. Thus, the
sorption behavior of contaminant on microplastic is crucial to their
transport in marine system. In this study, the sorption behavior of PFOS
and FOSA (two perfluorochemicals) on three kinds of microplastics (PE,
PS, and PVC) are reported. The isotherm study showed that the sorption
of PFOS and FOSA on microplastics is highly linear, and it indicated
that partition by hydrophobic interaction is the predominant sorption
mechanism. The Kd values of FOSA on three kinds of microplastics are all
higher than those of PFOS, and the reason is attributed to their
different functional groups. The Kd value of FOSA on three types of
microplastics followed the order as: PE > PVC > PS. Such finding may
indicate that the molecule composition and structure of microplastics
play important roles in their sorption processes of organic pollutants.
The PFOS sorption levels on PE and PS particles were increased with the
increase of NaCl and CaCl2 concentrations, while the ion concentrations
have no effect on FOSA sorption. The study on the pH effects on PFOS and
FOSA sorption indicated FOSA could partition under various pH conditions
on three types of microplastics while PFOS sorption on PE and PS were
favored with lower pH.
Keywords: PFOS; FOSA; Sorption; Partition; Electrostatic interaction

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The effect of fine-scale sampling frequency on estimates of beach litter accumulation

guenther — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:41:25 +0000

Peter G. Ryan, Annerie Lamprecht, Debbie Swanepoel, Coleen L. Moloney,
The effect of fine-scale sampling frequency on estimates of beach litter
accumulation, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 16 September
2014, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.036.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14005888)
Abstract: The effect of sampling frequency on estimates of the rate of
litter accumulation was determined for two South African sandy beaches.
After initial cleaning, all manufactured items >10 mm diameter were
collected in alternating bouts of daily or weekly cleanups. Daily
sampling collected 2.5 (range 2.1?3.4) times more litter items than
weekly samples and 1.7 (1.3?2.3) times more litter by mass. Low density
items such as foamed polystyrene showed a greater differential (4?5
times more items from daily sampling), presumably due to faster turnover
of lightweight litter items. Variation in weekly samples was not
consistently less than daily estimates, suggesting that less frequent
samples only partly integrate short-term fluctuations in litter
dynamics. Researchers using beach accumulation data to infer trends in
nearshore marine litter, or to assess the efficacy of litter mitigation
measures, need to ensure consistency in sampling frequency.
Keywords: Stranded debris; Plastics; Sample rate; Accumulation;
Meta-analyses; South Africa

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Uptake and Retention of Microplastics by the Shore Crab Carcinus maenas

guenther — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:58:52 +0000

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es501090e

Andrew J. R. Watts, Ceri Lewis, Rhys M. Goodhead, Stephen J. Beckett,
Julian Moger, Charles R. Tyler, and Tamara S. Galloway
Uptake and Retention of Microplastics by the Shore Crab Carcinus maenas
Environ. Sci. Technol., 2014, 48 (15), pp 8823?8830
DOI: 10.1021/es501090e

Abstract
Microplastics, plastics particles <5 mm in length, are a widespread
pollutant of the marine environment. Oral ingestion of microplastics has
been reported for a wide range of marine biota, but uptake into the body
by other routes has received less attention. Here, we test the
hypothesis that the shore crab (Carcinus maenas) can take up
microplastics through inspiration across the gills as well as ingestion
of pre-exposed food (common mussel Mytilus edulis). We used
fluorescently labeled polystyrene microspheres (8?10 ?m) to show that
ingested microspheres were retained within the body tissues of the crabs
for up to 14 days following ingestion and up to 21 days following
inspiration across the gill, with uptake significantly higher into the
posterior versus anterior gills. Multiphoton imaging suggested that most
microspheres were retained in the foregut after dietary exposure due to
adherence to the hairlike setae and were found on the external surface
of gills following aqueous exposure. Results were used to construct a
simple conceptual model of particle flow for the gills and the gut.
These results identify ventilation as a route of uptake of microplastics
into a common marine nonfilter feeding species.

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A New Pelagic Habitat for Microorganisms and Invertebrates.

guenther — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:47:59 +0000

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0100289

Reisser J, Shaw J, Hallegraeff G, Proietti M, Barnes DKA, et al. (2014)
Millimeter-Sized Marine Plastics: A New Pelagic Habitat for
Microorganisms and Invertebrates. PLoS ONE 9(6): e100289.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100289

Abstract

Millimeter-sized plastics are abundant in most marine surface waters,
and known to carry fouling organisms that potentially play key roles in
the fate and ecological impacts of plastic pollution. In this study we
used scanning electron microscopy to characterize biodiversity of
organisms on the surface of 68 small floating plastics (length range =
1.7?24.3 mm, median = 3.2 mm) from Australia-wide coastal and oceanic,
tropical to temperate sample collections. Diatoms were the most diverse
group of plastic colonizers, represented by 14 genera. We also recorded
?epiplastic? coccolithophores (7 genera), bryozoans, barnacles (Lepas
spp.), a dinoflagellate (Ceratium), an isopod (Asellota), a marine worm,
marine insect eggs (Halobates sp.), as well as rounded, elongated, and
spiral cells putatively identified as bacteria, cyanobacteria, and
fungi. Furthermore, we observed a variety of plastic surface
microtextures, including pits and grooves conforming to the shape of
microorganisms, suggesting that biota may play an important role in
plastic degradation. This study highlights how anthropogenic
millimeter-sized polymers have created a new pelagic habitat for
microorganisms and invertebrates. The ecological ramifications of this
phenomenon for marine organism dispersal, ocean productivity, and
biotransfer of plastic-associated pollutants, remains to be elucidated.

http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0100289&representation=PDF

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Strategy for mitigation of marine debris: Analysis of sources and composition of marine debris in northern Taiwan

guenther — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:51:53 +0000

Fan-Jun Kuo, Hsiang-Wen Huang, Strategy for mitigation of marine debris:
Analysis of sources and composition of marine debris in northern Taiwan,
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 26 April 2014, ISSN
0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.04.019.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14002318)
Abstract: Six sites (two sites for each of rocky shores, sandy beaches,
and fishing ports) in northern Taiwan were selected to investigate the
amount and density of marine debris in each of the four seasons and
after spring and neap tides from 2012 to 2013. The results indicate that
marine debris was higher on rocky shores than sandy beaches and fishing
ports. There is no significant difference between season and tide. The
dominant debris was plastic-type, followed by polystyrene. The majority
of debris originated from recreational activities, followed from
ocean/waterway activities. The results suggest that the following
actions are needed: (1) continue and reinforce the plastic-limit policy;
(2) increase the cleaning frequency at rocky shores; (3) promote marine
environmental education, with a goal of debris-free coasts; (4) recycle
fishing gear and to turn that gear into energy; and (5) coordinate
between agencies to establish a mechanism to monitor debris.
Keywords: Plastics; Plastic-limit policy; Shoreline and recreational
activities; Strip transect

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Rivers as a source of marine litter ?

guenther — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 20:20:17 +0000

S. Rech, V. Macaya-Caquilpán, J.F. Pantoja, M.M. Rivadeneira, D. Jofre
Madariaga, M. Thiel, Rivers as a source of marine litter ? A study from
the SE Pacific, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 13 April
2014, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.03.019.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14001490)
Abstract: Composition and abundance of persistent buoyant litter
(plastics, polystyrene and manufactured wood) were investigated at
riversides and on adjacent coastal beaches of four rivers flowing into
the SE Pacific Ocean. Persistent buoyant litter made up the main share
of litter at riversides (36?82%) and on coastal beaches near the river
mouths (67?86%). The characteristic litter composition of each river is
attributable to human influences along its course. Riverine litter items
were deposited to both sides of the river mouths on coastal beaches, and
their abundance generally declined with distance from the river mouth.
However, maximum litter accumulations were often found on beaches north
of the river mouth, suggesting a long-term influence of the prevailing
equatorward low-level jet along the Chilean coast. The results confirm
that riverine transport has an important impact on litter abundances on
coastal beaches.
Keywords: Riverine litter; Litter composition; Litter abundance; Marine
beaches; Riversides

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Polystyrene Plastic: A Source and Sink for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Marine Environment

guenther — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 19:45:19 +0000

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.

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