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Evidence of microplastic-mediated transfer of PCB-153 to sea urchin tissues using radiotracers
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Researchers used radiotracer experiments to demonstrate for the first time that PCB-153 adsorbed onto microplastics is bioavailable to sea urchins, with plastic-bound PCBs transferring to sea urchin tissues and confirming microplastics as vectors for persistent organic pollutant transfer.
The present study reports the first experimental microplastic-mediated transfer of a key PCB congener into adult specimens of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Three experiments were conducted to assess whether C-PCB-153 adsorbed onto negatively buoyant microplastics (MPs) (500-600 μm) is bioavailable to the sea urchin: (1) exposure to a low concentration of C-PCB-153 sorbed onto a high number of virgin MPs ("lowPCB highMP" experiment), (2) exposure to a high concentration of C-PCB-153 sorbed onto a relatively low number of virgin MPs ("highPCB lowMP" experiment), and (3) exposure to a low concentration of C-PCB-153 sorbed onto a relatively low number of aged MP ("lowPCB lowMP" experiment). Results showed that the transfer of C-PCB-153 from MPs to sea urchin tissues occurred in each of the three 15-day experiments, suggesting that MPs located on the seafloor may act as vectors of PCB-153 to sea urchins even during short-term exposure events.
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Researchers compared the ability of biofilm-covered microplastics versus sand particles to act as vectors delivering PCB-153 to the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Microplastics transferred more PCB-153 to sea urchin tissues than sand did, and biofilm presence on plastic surfaces influenced the magnitude of pollutant transfer.
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Researchers fed PCB-loaded microplastics to Norway lobsters in controlled laboratory experiments to test whether ingested microplastics can transfer adsorbed pollutants to animal tissues. They assessed bioaccumulation of PCBs in lobster tissues following exposure through the dietary microplastic pathway. The study contributes experimental evidence to the ongoing debate about whether microplastics act as meaningful vectors for transferring persistent organic pollutants to marine organisms.
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Researchers tube-fed herring larvae polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics spiked with the pollutant PCB-153 to test whether plastics deliver chemical contaminants to fish tissue. The study found that PCB-153 transferred to larval tissue via the microplastics, demonstrating that ingested plastic particles can deliver toxic chemicals to marine fish.
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Experiments with eastern Mediterranean rabbitfish that consumed PCB-contaminated microplastics demonstrated that polychlorinated biphenyls can transfer from plastic particles to fish tissues, confirming microplastics as a vector for toxic chemical uptake. The study provides direct evidence that marine fish can accumulate persistent organic pollutants through plastic ingestion.
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