Search

Marine plastic debris, including microplastics (<5 mm in size), comprises a suite of chemical ingredients and sorbed chemical contaminants. Thus, microplastics are a potential, and debated, source of anthropogenic chemicals for bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Several studies have investigated the role of microplastics as a vector of contaminants to marine organisms via modeling exercises, laboratory experiments, and field studies. Here, we examined relationships among chemical contaminants and microplastics in lanternfish (family Myctophidae), an important link in marine food webs, from the North Pacific Ocean as a case study from the field. We compared the body burden of several chemical groups (bisphenol A [BPA], nonylphenol [4-NP], octylphenol [4n-OP], alkylphenol ethoxylates [APEs], pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], and polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs]) in fish caught within and outside the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre where plastic is known to accumulate. We also tested whether there was a relationship between chemical concentrations in fish and plastic density at each sampling location. Mean concentrations of common plastic constituents (BPA, 4-NP, 4n-OP, APEs, and total PBDEs) were comparable between myctophids collected within and outside the North Pacific Gyre. Pesticides were higher in lanternfish caught outside the gyre and were associated with lower plastic density. Total PCBs were also higher in fish outside the gyre. In contrast, lower chlorinated PCB congeners were higher in fish residing in the accumulation zone and were correlated with higher plastic density. This finding is consistent with other studies demonstrating an association between lower chlorinated PCBs and plastics in biota and suggests that microplastic may be a transport mechanism for some chemicals in nature. Image 1 • We measured chemical body burden in fish from in and outside the N. Pacific Gyre. • For some chemicals, there were no differences between fish in and outside the gyre. • Lower chlorinated PCBs, higher in gyre fish, correlated with higher plastic density. • DDTs were higher near the U.S. west coast and associated with lower plastic density. • In this case study, microplastics may be a source of lower chlorinated PCBs. We demonstrate a significant relationship between higher plastic density and fish tissue concentrations of mono to tetra polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, contributing to our understanding of the complex role of microplastic as a source of chemicals to biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Microorganisms mediate processes affecting the fate and impacts of marine plastic. [•] North Pacific Gyre (NPG) plastics were examined with scanning-electron microscopy. [•] Bacillus bacteria and pennate diatoms dominated the NPG plastic fouling community. [•] Bacterial abundance was patchily distributed but increased on foamed polystyrene. [•] Diatom abundance increased on rough surfaces and at sites with high plastic density. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We detected PBDEs, PCBs, and pesticides in young yellowtail from the N. Pacific Gyre. [•] 10.5% of the sample population ingested synthetic debris. [•] BDE-209 concentrations suggested recent, local exposure, possibly from plastic debris. [•] We found nonylphenol in yellowtail at levels similar to fish near known sources. [•] We concluded plastic is the most plausible source of nonylphenol in yellowtail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that the organization Ocean Cleanup has released a scientific report concluding that its proposed method for removing half of the plastic flotsam from the North Pacific Gyre within 10 years is feasible.