title: Effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on a marine ecosystem engineer (Arenicola marina) and sediment nutrient cycling.
abstract: Effects of microplastic pollution on benthic organisms and ecosystem services provided by sedimentary habitats are largely unknown. An outdoor mesocosm experiment was done to realistically assess the effects of three different types of microplastic pollution (one biodegradable type; polylactic acid and two conventional types; polyethylene and polyvinylchloride) at increasing concentrations (0.02, 0.2 and 2% of wet sediment weight) on the health and biological activity of lugworms, Arenicola marina (Linnaeus, 1758), and on nitrogen cycling and primary productivity of the sediment they inhabit. After 31 days, A. marina produced less casts in sediments containing microplastics. Metabolic rates of A. marina increased, while microalgal biomass decreased at high concentrations, compared to sediments with low concentrations or without microplastics. Responses were strongest to polyvinylchloride, emphasising that different materials may have differential effects. Each material needs to be carefully evaluated in order to assess their risks as microplastic pollution. Overall, both conventional and biodegradable microplastics in sandy sediments can affect the health and behaviour of lugworms and directly or indirectly reduce primary productivity of these habitats.
authors.affiliation: Biogeochemistry Research Group, Geography Department, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Queens University Belfast, Marine Laboratory, Portaferry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: danniellesgreen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dannielle Senga
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: School of Biosystems Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boots
authors.affiliation: Queens University Belfast, Marine Laboratory, Portaferry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigwart
authors.affiliation: Biogeochemistry Research Group, Geography Department, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Biogeochemistry Research Group, Geography Department, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rocha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D017753:Ecosystem; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011091:Polyesters; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000633:toxicity*; D011108:Polymers / Q000633:toxicity*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D020959:Polyethylene; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Algae; Asymmetrical ANOVA; Ecosystem services; Marine litter; Plastic debris