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Distinct polymer-dependent sorption of persistent pollutants associated with Atlantic salmon farming to microplastics
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Researchers found that HDPE, PP, PET, and PVC microplastics placed near Atlantic salmon farms sorbed different persistent organic pollutants depending on polymer type, demonstrating that microplastics in aquaculture environments can act as vectors for chemical contaminants with implications for seafood safety.
Interactions of microplastics and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) associated with Atlantic salmon farming were studied to assess the potential role of microplastics in relation to the environmental impact of aquaculture. HDPE, PP, PET and PVC microplastics placed for 3 months near fish farms sorbed POPs from aquafeeds. PET and PVC sorbed significantly higher levels of dioxins and PCBs compared to HDPE, while the levels sorbed to PP were intermediate and did not differ statistically from PET, PVC or HDPE. In addition, the composition of dioxins accumulated in caged blue mussels did not reflect the patterns observed on the microplastics, probably due to polymer-specific affinity of POPs. In conclusion, the results of this study show that microplastics occurring near fish farms can sorb aquafeed-associated POPs and, therefore, microplastics could potentially be vectors of such chemicals in the marine environment and increase the environmental impact of fish farming.
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Atlantic salmon fed diets where persistent organic pollutants were pre-sorbed onto 125-250 micron microplastics accumulated more POPs in their fillets than fish fed contaminated feed without microplastics. Depuration was also slower for several contaminants in the microplastic-exposed group, suggesting that microplastics alter toxicokinetics in fish.
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