Enrichment of additive HBCDs in mussel attached to expanded polystyrene buoy

Abstract

Expanded polystyrene (EPS), popularly known as Styrofoam, is widely used polymer for the varying purposes including insulation materials for construction, packing materials, and aquaculture buoy. Approximately, Two million EPS buoys/year are being installed in aqua-farm of Korea for the longline culture of oyster [1]. After their use, a large number of EPS buoys may be lost or disposed as waste. Hence, they are found to be the dominant constituent of marine debris in beach surveys performed in Korea [2]. Floating EPS buoy as marine debris have become a habitat for marine organisms. Consequently, fragmentation of EPS buoy is accelerated by organisms living on EPS buoys [3]. In our previous study, we detected considerable amounts of HBCD, primary flame retardant used in EPS building materials, in EPS buoy with a median concentration of 40 &#61549 g/g. HBCD has categorized as a persistent organic pollutant and is now listed in Stockholm convention for global elimination in year 2013. Accordingly, organisms living on EPS buoys can be directly exposed to HBCD, causing bioaccumulation and biomagnification of HBCD in marine food chains. In order to find evidence on marine debris as a source for toxic chemicals to marine organisms, floating EPS buoy and attahced mussels were collected from Jinhae Bay of Korea and used for chemical analysis.re being installed in aqua-farm of Korea for the longline culture of oyster [1]. After their use, a large number of EPS buoys may be lost or disposed as waste. Hence, they are found to be the dominant constituent of marine debris in beach surveys performed in Korea [2]. Floating EPS buoy as marine debris have become a habitat for marine organisms. Consequently, fragmentation of EPS buoy is accelerated by organisms living on EPS buoys [3]. In our previous study, we detected considerable amounts of HBCD, primary flame retardant used in EPS building materials, in EPS buoy with a median concentration of 40 &#61549 g/g. HBCD has categorized as a persistent organic pollutant and is now listed in Stockholm convention for global elimination in year 2013. Accordingly, organisms living on EPS buoys can be directly exposed to HBCD, causing bioaccumulation and biomagnification of HBCD in marine food chains. In order to find evidence on marine debris as a source for toxic chemicals to marine organisms, floating EPS buoy and attahced mussels were collected from Jinhae Bay of Korea and used for chemical analysis.