Chemicals associated with plastic marine debris and microplastics

Abstract

There are two types of adverse effects for marine organisms exposed to microplastics: physicaleffect and chemical effect. The former is related to particle size, shape and concentration ofmicroplastics and the latter is related to hazardous chemicals retained in microplastics. Microplastics and plastic marine debris in the marine environment can contain two types of hemicals (1) additives and polymeric raw materials originally contained in plastics, and (2) chemicals adsorbed from surrounding seawater. Additives are the chemicals intentionally added during plastic production in order to enhance the performance of plastic products. Microplastics tend to efficiently adsorb and concentrate environmental contaminants, mainly persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances (PBTs), from surroundings due to their hydrophobic properties and large surface area to volume ratio. Therefore, microplastics and plastic marine debris have the potential to act as a vector and carrier of these chemicals in the marine environment. We conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis for plastic marine debris collected form the Korean beaches. Various different chemicals were found in the samples, mainly grouped into UV-stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants, intermediates, toxics, pesticides, flame retardants, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, etc. Additionally, a wide range of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs, brominated flame redous chemicals retained in microplastics. Microplastics and plastic marine debris in the marine environment can contain two types of hemicals (1) additives and polymeric raw materials originally contained in plastics, and (2) chemicals adsorbed from surrounding seawater. Additives are the chemicals intentionally added during plastic production in order to enhance the performance of plastic products. Microplastics tend to efficiently adsorb and concentrate environmental contaminants, mainly persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances (PBTs), from surroundings due to their hydrophobic properties and large surface area to volume ratio. Therefore, microplastics and plastic marine debris have the potential to act as a vector and carrier of these chemicals in the marine environment. We conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis for plastic marine debris collected form the Korean beaches. Various different chemicals were found in the samples, mainly grouped into UV-stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants, intermediates, toxics, pesticides, flame retardants, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, etc. Additionally, a wide range of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs, brominated flame re