Ingested microplastic as a two-way transporter for PBDEs in Talitrus saltator

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Marine plastic waste, particularly microplastics (MPs), is a significant environmental concern.
• MPs attract and accumulate hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) due to their surface properties.
• The supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator is a known biomonitor for POPs and can ingest MPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of MPs in the transfer of organic pollutants to Talitrus saltator.
• To determine if ingested MPs transfer contaminants to biota or adsorb pollutants from the amphipod's diet.
• To explore the dual function of MPs as either contaminant carriers or scavengers.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory experiments exposing Talitrus saltator to a ¹³C-labelled polybrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-47).
• Investigation of the MP's role in contaminant transfer using labelled compounds.
• X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) analysis to assess MP uptake via the digestive tract.

Main Results:

• Microplastic ingestion by Talitrus saltator showed a dual effect on contaminant levels.
• Ingested MPs demonstrated the capacity to both transfer and remove POPs from the amphipod.
• A balance between the positive and negative effects of MP ingestion on contaminant bioaccumulation was observed.

Conclusions:

• Microplastics can act as both carriers and scavengers for organic pollutants like PBDEs in marine organisms.
• The impact of chemicals leaching from MPs on biota may be limited.
• This study highlights the complex and potentially contradictory role of MPs in marine contaminant dynamics.