Levels of sorbed and additive chemicals in microplastics from the marine environment and their environmental consequence

Abstract

This study investigated the levels and profiles of chemicals (both sorbed and additive chemicals) in various types of plastic particles (in size and shape) collected from the Korean coastal waters. PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, HCB, PAHs, PBDE and HBCDs, phthalates, UV stabilizers, and antioxidants were widely detected in field microplastic samples. Except for expanded polystyrene (EPS) samples, phthalates showed the highest concentrations in most of size classes (< 1 mm, 1 to 5 mm, and > 5 cm) and shapes (fragments, fibers, and pellets), followed by HBCDs, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, PAHs, PBDEs, PCBs and DDTs. PBDE was high in fragments, HBCDs and PAHs were high in foams (EPS), and antioxidants were high in fibers. Sorbed chemicals were relatively high in small particles (< 1 mm), while additives were relatively high in large particles (> 5 cm). Based on the chemical concentrations measured in microplastics, the potential intake of chemicals in microplastics by seafood consumption was estimated. Even through a worst case scenario is followed, the estimated exposure via microplastics in seafood is less than 1 percent of the total dietary intake of those chemicals except for HBCD.HBCDs, phthalates, UV stabilizers, and antioxidants were widely detected in field microplastic samples. Except for expanded polystyrene (EPS) samples, phthalates showed the highest concentrations in most of size classes (< 1 mm, 1 to 5 mm, and > 5 cm) and shapes (fragments, fibers, and pellets), followed by HBCDs, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, PAHs, PBDEs, PCBs and DDTs. PBDE was high in fragments, HBCDs and PAHs were high in foams (EPS), and antioxidants were high in fibers. Sorbed chemicals were relatively high in small particles (< 1 mm), while additives were relatively high in large particles (> 5 cm). Based on the chemical concentrations measured in microplastics, the potential intake of chemicals in microplastics by seafood consumption was estimated. Even through a worst case scenario is followed, the estimated exposure via microplastics in seafood is less than 1 percent of the total dietary intake of those chemicals except for HBCD.