Bossaer, M.

De Witte, B.

Derveaux, S.

Devriese, L.

Robbens, J.

Theetaert, H.

Vanhalst, K.

Open Marine Archive

The role of microplastics as a vector for
PCBs through the marine trophic levels
Lisa Devriese ∗ 1, Bavo De Witte 1, Sabrine Derveaux 1, Hannelore
Theetaert 1, Mattias Bossaer 1, Kevin Vanhalst 1, Johan Robbens 1
1 Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Ostend, Belgium (ILVO) – Belgium
Recently, the occurrence of microplastic litter is recognized as an area of global concern.
Depending on the presence, size, density, shape, colour and biofouling, microplastics could be
introduced to marine organisms and ingested when mistaken as food. It is known that plas-
tic litter tends to accumulate hydrophobic organic compounds such as PCBs from the marine
environment due to the higher partition coefficients of organic pollutants for plastics than for
seawater or sediments. The ingestion of microplastics may therefore provide an additional bio-
magnifications route for plastic-adsorbed contaminants in the marine ecosystem. Otherwise,
ingested synthetic polymers may possibly counteract biomagnifications by adsorbing contami-
nants from the tissues of the marine organisms.
Given the little data available on the role of microplastics as a vector for PCBs through the
marine trophic levels, an impact study is required via controlled conditions. Benthic marine
organisms such as the common shore crab and Norway lobster were exposed to PCB loaded
microplastics under controlled laboratory conditions. In these experiments, 500-600 µm diam-
eter polyethylene or polystyrene spheres were loaded with the 7 ICES PCBs. It is expected
that spheres of 500-600 µm will pass the digestive tract without accumulation in the organisms.
Within this research, it is investigated whether this short period in the digestive system is suf-
ficient for the plastic spheres to release or adsorb PCBs? After 3 weeks of exposure, the PCB
levels in the tissues of the tested organisms were quantified using a Bligh and Dyer extraction
followed by GC-ECD analysis. The results will be presented and discussed during the conference.
Keywords: PCBs, bioaccumulation, microplastics, Carcinus maenas, Nephrops norvegicus
∗Speaker
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The role of microplastics as a vector for PCBs through the marine trophic levels

http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/311283.pdf

The role of microplastics as a vector for PCBs through the marine trophic levels

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