Formation of microplastics and bioaccumulation of toxic additives by lugworm inhabiting in expanded polystyrene marine debris

Abstract

Defined as less than 5 mm in size, numbers of microplastic has increased in oceans worldwide. Fragmentation of plastics in the environment was expected mainly at beaches where photo-degradation and abrasions take place through wave actions. However, bioactivities of organisms in floating plastics could also contribute to the formation of microplastics. Large amounts of expanded polystyrene (EPS) buoys have been used in aquaculture activities in South Korea. Lugworm (Marphysa sanguinea) is a marine organism generally found in mud and rock. Interestingly, many burrows of this specie were found inside EPS buoy while searching organisms inhabiting on EPS buoy. In our previous study, considerable amounts of HBCDs in EPS buoys were detected. HBCD has been categorized as a persistent organic pollutant and is now listed in Stockholm convention in 2013. We try to determine (1) whether microplastics are created by burrowing of lugworm, and (2) lugworm can accumulate additive HBCDs from EPS buoy. EPS buoys were collected from the coasts of Geoje in South Korea. After collection of EPS buoys, lugworms and EPS particle inside burrows were sampled. Sampled lugworms were kept separately for 3 days for cleaning of gut and collection of excretions. EPS particles in lugworm´s excretions identified using FTIR were roughly globular in shape. The size of EPS particles were varying according to the size of lugworm. The maximum length (le However, bioactivities of organisms in floating plastics could also contribute to the formation of microplastics. Large amounts of expanded polystyrene (EPS) buoys have been used in aquaculture activities in South Korea. Lugworm (Marphysa sanguinea) is a marine organism generally found in mud and rock. Interestingly, many burrows of this specie were found inside EPS buoy while searching organisms inhabiting on EPS buoy. In our previous study, considerable amounts of HBCDs in EPS buoys were detected. HBCD has been categorized as a persistent organic pollutant and is now listed in Stockholm convention in 2013. We try to determine (1) whether microplastics are created by burrowing of lugworm, and (2) lugworm can accumulate additive HBCDs from EPS buoy. EPS buoys were collected from the coasts of Geoje in South Korea. After collection of EPS buoys, lugworms and EPS particle inside burrows were sampled. Sampled lugworms were kept separately for 3 days for cleaning of gut and collection of excretions. EPS particles in lugworm´s excretions identified using FTIR were roughly globular in shape. The size of EPS particles were varying according to the size of lugworm. The maximum length (le