Styrofoam Debris as a Source of Hazardous Additives for Marine Organisms.
There is growing concern over plastic debris and their fragments as a carrier for hazardous substances in marine ecosystem. The present study was conducted to provide field evidence for the transfer of plastic-associated chemicals to marine organisms. Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), brominated flame retardants, were recently detected in expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) marine debris. We hypothesized that if styrofoam debris acts as a source of the additives in the marine environment, organisms inhabiting such debris might be directly influenced by them. Here we investigated the characteristics of HBCD accumulation by mussels inhabiting styrofoam. For comparison, mussels inhabiting different substrates, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, and rock, were also studied. The high HBCD levels up to 5160 ng/g lipid weight and the γ-HBCD dominated isomeric profiles in mussels inhabiting styrofoam strongly supports the transfer of HBCDs from styrofoam substrate to mussels. Furthermore, microsized styrofoam particles were identified inside mussels, probably originating from their substrates.
Oil and POPs Research Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology , Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje 656-834, Republic of Korea.|Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-320, South Korea.
Mi
M
Jang
Oil and POPs Research Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology , Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje 656-834, Republic of Korea.|Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-320, South Korea.
Won Joon
WJ
Shim
Oil and POPs Research Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology , Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje 656-834, Republic of Korea.
Gi Myung
GM
Han
Oil and POPs Research Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology , Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje 656-834, Republic of Korea.
Manviri
M
Rani
Oil and POPs Research Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology , Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje 656-834, Republic of Korea.|Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-320, South Korea.
Young Kyoung
YK
Song
Oil and POPs Research Laboratory, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology , Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje 656-834, Republic of Korea.|Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-320, South Korea.
Sang Hee
SH
Hong
D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005411:Flame Retardants; D020959:Polyethylene; D014866:Waste Products
D005411:Flame Retardants; D014866:Waste Products; D020959:Polyethylene