Expanded polystyrene debris as a source of hazardous additives for their inhabiting organisms

Abstract

There is growing concern over plastic debris and their fragments as a carrier for hazardoussubstances in marine ecosystem. The present study was conducted to provide field evidence forthe transfer of plastic-associated chemicals to marine organisms. Hexabromocyclododecanes(HBCDs), brominated flame retardants, were recently detected in expanded polystyrene (EPS)marine debris. We hypothesized that if EPS debris acts as a source of the additives in the marineenvironment, organisms inhabiting such debris might be directly influenced by them. Here weinvestigated the characteristics of HBCD accumulation by mussels and lugworms inhabiting EPS.For comparison, mussels inhabiting different substrates (high-density polyethylene, metal, androck) and lugworms from mud-flat were also studied. The mussels inhabiting the EPS substrateaccumulated more HBCDs than the mussels from other substrates. Isomeric composition inmussels from EPS buoy was closer to that in EPS substrates than in the other substrates,implying the transfer of HBCDs from EPS substrate to mussels. When comparing each pair ofbuoy and their inhabitants, it was found that the HBCD levels in EPS buoys were directlyreflected to the mussels and lugworms inhabiting them. The overall levels of HBCDs in musselsand lugworms from EPS buoys were clearly higher than those from natural habitats such as rockand mudflat. These observations support thene organisms. Hexabromocyclododecanes(HBCDs), brominated flame retardants, were recently detected in expanded polystyrene (EPS)marine debris. We hypothesized that if EPS debris acts as a source of the additives in the marineenvironment, organisms inhabiting such debris might be directly influenced by them. Here weinvestigated the characteristics of HBCD accumulation by mussels and lugworms inhabiting EPS.For comparison, mussels inhabiting different substrates (high-density polyethylene, metal, androck) and lugworms from mud-flat were also studied. The mussels inhabiting the EPS substrateaccumulated more HBCDs than the mussels from other substrates. Isomeric composition inmussels from EPS buoy was closer to that in EPS substrates than in the other substrates,implying the transfer of HBCDs from EPS substrate to mussels. When comparing each pair ofbuoy and their inhabitants, it was found that the HBCD levels in EPS buoys were directlyreflected to the mussels and lugworms inhabiting them. The overall levels of HBCDs in musselsand lugworms from EPS buoys were clearly higher than those from natural habitats such as rockand mudflat. These observations support the