title: Enhanced desorption of persistent organic pollutants from microplastics under simulated physiological conditions.
abstract: Microplastics have the potential to uptake and release persistent organic pollutants (POPs); however, subsequent transfer to marine organisms is poorly understood. Some models estimating transfer of sorbed contaminants to organisms neglect the role of gut surfactants under differing physiological conditions in the gut (varying pH and temperature), examined here. We investigated the potential for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) to sorb and desorb (14)C-DDT, (14)C-phenanthrene (Phe), (14)C-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and (14)C-di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Desorption rates of POPs were quantified in seawater and under simulated gut conditions. Influence of pH and temperature was examined in order to represent cold and warm blooded organisms. Desorption rates were faster with gut surfactant, with a further substantial increase under conditions simulating warm blooded organisms. Desorption under gut conditions could be up to 30 times greater than in seawater alone. Of the POP/plastic combinations examined Phe with PE gave the highest potential for transport to organisms.
authors.affiliation: Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre (MBERC), School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom; Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group (PEGG), School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakir
authors.affiliation: Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group (PEGG), School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.affiliation: Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre (MBERC), School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: R.C.Thompson@plymouth.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Desorption; Gut surfactant; Hydrophobic organic compounds; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Microplastic