We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The release and earthworm bioaccumulation of endogenous hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) from expanded polystyrene foam microparticles
AI summary Read the abstract
Polystyrene foam (EPS) microparticles were shown to release hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) flame retardants into soil, and earthworms exposed to this contaminated soil bioaccumulated HBCDD at concerning levels. The study demonstrates that EPS microplastics in soil serve as a source of toxic flame retardant chemicals that enter terrestrial food chains through earthworm ingestion.
Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) are common chemical additives in expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). To evaluate the bioaccumulation potential of endogenous HBCDDs in EPS microparticles by earthworms, two ecologically different species of earthworms (Eisenia fetida and Metaphire guillelmi) were exposed to soil added with EPS microparticles of different particle sizes (EPS, 830-2000 μm and EPS, <830 μm). To clarify the accumulation mechanisms, leaching experiments using EPS microparticles in different solutions were conducted. After exposure to EPS microparticles-amended soils (S-EPS) for 28 d, the total concentrations of HBCDDs reached 307-371 ng g dw in E. fetida and 90-133 ng g dw in M. guillelmi, which were higher than those in earthworms exposed to the soil that was artificially contaminated with a similar level of HBCDDs directly (ACS). The accumulation of HBCDDs in earthworms was significantly influenced by EPS microparticles' size and earthworms' species. The total concentrations of HBCDDs in earthworms' cast were significantly higher than the theoretical concentration of HBCDDs in S-EPS, which suggested that EPS microparticles can be ingested by earthworms. The release rate of HBCDDs from EPS (2000-5000 μm) into water-based solutions (<1%) after a 3.5-h incubation was far lower than that into earthworm digestive fluid (7%). These results illustrated that the ingestion of EPS microparticles and consequent solubilization of HBCDDs by digestive fluid play an important role in the accumulation of HBCDDs contained in EPS microparticles in earthworms. After a 28-d incubation with the soil solution, 4.9% of the HBCDDs was accumulatively leached from the EPS, which indicated that HBCDDs can be released from EPS microparticles to soil environment, and then accumulated by earthworms. Moreover, similar to those exposed to ACS, the diastereoisomer- and enantiomer-specific accumulation of HBCDDs in earthworms occurred when exposed to S-EPS. This study provides more evidence for the risk of microplastics to the soil ecosystem.
More Papers Like This
Expanded polystyrene buoys as an important source of hexabromocyclododecanes for aquatic ecosystem: Evidence from field exposure with different substrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Field exposure experiments showed that expanded polystyrene (EPS) buoys are a significant source of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) flame retardants in aquatic ecosystems, with organisms living on EPS substrates accumulating far higher HBCD concentrations than those on other substrates. Both aqueous and dietary exposure routes were identified, while direct microplastic ingestion contributed minimally to HBCD uptake.
Insight into Bioaccumulation of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Eisenia fetida Increased by Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastics made from electronics casings significantly increased the accumulation of a brominated flame retardant chemical in earthworms over time. While the microplastics initially slowed absorption of the chemical, after 28 days they promoted greater bioaccumulation by altering the soil environment and the earthworms' gut bacteria. The study suggests that the co-occurrence of electronic waste microplastics and flame retardants in soil may amplify chemical exposure in soil organisms.
Extruded polystyrene microplastics as a source of brominated flame retardant additives in the marine environment: long-term field and laboratory experiments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted long-term field and laboratory experiments showing that extruded polystyrene microplastics rapidly release brominated flame retardants including TBBPA and HBCDD into seawater, identifying these particles as significant sources of toxic chemical additives in the marine environment.
Evaluating the fate of hexabromocyclododecanes in the coastal environment: Fugacity analysis using field data
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used chemical modeling to track the environmental fate of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a flame retardant added to polystyrene plastic, in coastal waters and sediments. The analysis showed that microplastics carrying HBCD pose a persistent contamination risk in marine environments long after plastic arrives.
Widespread detection of a brominated flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane, in expanded polystyrene marine debris and microplastics from South Korea and the Asia-Pacific coastal region
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated expanded polystyrene marine debris worldwide for the presence of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a brominated flame retardant additive, finding widespread contamination and demonstrating that plastic debris can act as a global carrier of hazardous chemicals in marine environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.