title: Bioaccumulation and biological effects of cigarette litter in marine worms.
abstract: Marine debris is a global environmental issue. Smoked cigarette filters are the predominant coastal litter item; 4.5 trillion are littered annually, presenting a source of bioplastic microfibres (cellulose acetate) and harmful toxicants to marine environments. Despite the human health risks associated with smoking, little is known of the hazards cigarette filters present to marine life. Here we studied the impacts of smoked cigarette filter toxicants and microfibres on the polychaete worm Hediste diversicolor (ragworm), a widespread inhabitant of coastal sediments. Ragworms exposed to smoked cigarette filter toxicants in seawater at concentrations 60 fold lower than those reported for urban run-off exhibited significantly longer burrowing times, >30% weight loss, and >2-fold increase in DNA damage compared to ragworms maintained in control conditions. In contrast, ragworms exposed to smoked cigarette filter microfibres in marine sediment showed no significant effects. Bioconcentration factors for nicotine were 500 fold higher from seawater than from sediment. Our results illustrate the vulnerability of organisms in the water column to smoking debris and associated toxicants, and highlight the risks posed by smoked cigarette filter debris to aquatic life.
authors.affiliation: Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK.
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Malcolm J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kevin V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK.
authors.forename: Tamara S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Galloway
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000845:Annelida / Q000378:metabolism; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D009538:Nicotine