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Microplastic contamination in benthic organisms from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions

Chemosphere 2018 212 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Chao Fang, Chao Fang, Chao Fang, Chao Fang, Jingli Mu Jingli Mu Chao Fang, Ronghui Zheng, Chao Fang, Mengyun Chen, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Mengyun Chen, Chao Fang, Chao Fang, Yusheng Zhang, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Ronghui Zheng, Jun Bo, Chao Fang, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Jingli Mu Fukun Hong, Yusheng Zhang, Ronghui Zheng, Mengyun Chen, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Jingli Mu Jingli Mu Chao Fang, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Jun Bo, Jun Bo, Mengyun Chen, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Ronghui Zheng, Ronghui Zheng, Fukun Hong, Fukun Hong, Chao Fang, Chao Fang, Chao Fang, Jingli Mu Longshan Lin, Jingli Mu Ronghui Zheng, Jingli Mu Ronghui Zheng, Mengyun Chen, Jingli Mu Mengyun Chen, Mengyun Chen, Mengyun Chen, Jingli Mu Longshan Lin, Jingli Mu Chao Fang, Puqing Song, Puqing Song, Jingli Mu Jingli Mu Jingli Mu Jingli Mu Longshan Lin, Longshan Lin, Jun Bo, Heshan Lin, Jingli Mu Jun Bo, Chao Fang, Jingli Mu Chao Fang, Jingli Mu Jun Bo, Jun Bo, Jun Bo, Jingli Mu Jun Bo, Fengfeng Le, Fengfeng Le, Longshan Lin, Jun Bo, Jingli Mu Jun Bo, Jun Bo, Jingli Mu Jingli Mu Jingli Mu

Summary

This study provided the first data on microplastic contamination in benthic invertebrates from Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, finding microplastics in multiple species including sea cucumbers and polychaete worms at concentrations comparable to lower-latitude studies. The results indicate that bottom-dwelling Arctic fauna are exposed to microplastic pollution, potentially transported from lower latitudes by ocean currents.

Polymers

PA PE

The seafloor is recognized as one of the major sinks for microplastics (MPs). However, to date there have been no studies reported the MP contamination in benthic organisms from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Therefore, this study provided the first data on the abundances and characteristics of MPs in a total of 413 dominant benthic organisms representing 11 different species inhabiting in the shelf of Bering and Chukchi Seas. The mean abundances of MP uptake by the benthos from all sites ranged from 0.02 to 0.46 items g wet weight (ww) or 0.04-1.67 items individual, which were lower values than those found in other regions worldwide. The highest value appeared at the northernmost site, implying that the sea ice and the cold current represent possible transport mediums. Interestingly, the predator A. rubens ingested the maximum quantities of MPs, suggesting that the trophic transfer of MPs through benthic food webs may play a critical role. Fibers constituted the major type (87%) in each species, followed by film (13%). The colors of fibers were classified as red (46%) and transparent (41%), and the film was all gray. The predominant composition was polyamide (PA) (46%), followed by polyethylene (PE) (23%), polyester (PET) (18%) and cellophane (CP) (13%). The most common sizes of MPs concentrated in the interval from 0.10 to 1.50 mm, and the mean size was 1.45 ± 0.13 mm. Further studies about the temporal trends and detrimental effects of MPs remain to be carried out in benthic organisms from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

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