Formation of microplastics by polychaetes (Marphysa sanguinea) inhabiting expanded polystyrene marine debris
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Title
- Formation of microplastics by polychaetes (Marphysa sanguinea) inhabiting expanded polystyrene marine debris
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Author(s)
- Jang, Mi; Shim, Won Joon; Han, Gi Myung; Song, Young Kyoung; Hong, Sang Hee
- KIOST Author(s)
- Jang, Mi(장미); Shim, Won Joon(심원준); Han, Gi Myung(한기명); Hong, Sang Hee(홍상희)
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Alternative Author(s)
- 장미; 심원준; 한기명; 송영경; 홍상희
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Publication Year
- 2018-06
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Abstract
- Fragmentation of large plastic debris into smaller particles results in increasing microplastic concentrations in the marine environment. In plastic debris fragmentation processes, the influence of biological factors remains largely unknown, This study investigated the fragmentation of expanded polystyrene (EPS) debris by polychaetes (Marphysa sanguinea) living on the debris. A large number of EPS particles (131 131 particles/individual, 0.2-3.8 mm in length) were found in the digestive tracts of burrowing polychaetes living on EPS debris. To confirm the formation of microplastics by polychaetes and identify the quantity and morphology of produced microplastics, polychaetes were exposed to EPS blocks in filtered seawater under laboratory conditions. Polychaetes burrowed into the blocks and created numerous EPS microplastic particles, indicating that a single polychaete can produce hundreds of thousands of microplastic particles per year. These results reveal the potential role of marine organisms as microplastic producers in the marine environment.
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ISSN
- 0025-326X
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URI
- https://sciwatch.kiost.ac.kr/handle/2020.kiost/895
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DOI
- 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.017
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Bibliographic Citation
- MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN, v.131, pp.365 - 369, 2018
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Publisher
- PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
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Subject
- PLASTIC DEBRIS; SOUTH-KOREA; FRAGMENTATION; ENVIRONMENT; HEXABROMOCYCLODODECANE; IDENTIFICATION; CLEANSERS; SEDIMENTS; POLLUTION; EUNICIDAE
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Keywords
- Expanded polystyrene; Fragmentation; Polychaete; Marine debris; Microplastic
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Type
- Article
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Language
- English
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Document Type
- Article
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