Cited by 1,012Microplastics and Plastic PollutionEnvironmental Toxicology and EcotoxicologyToxic Organic Pollutants Impact

Effects of Microplastic on Fitness and PCB Bioaccumulation by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.)

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Besseling, Ellen, Wegner, Anna, Foekema, Edwin M., van den Heuvel-Greve, Martine J., Koelmans, Albert A.·2013·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

It has been speculated that marine microplastics may cause negative effects on benthic marine organisms and increase bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Here, we provide the first controlled study of plastic effects on benthic organisms including transfer of POPs. The effects of polystyrene (PS) microplastic on survival, activity, and bodyweight, as well as the transfer of 19 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were assessed in bioassays with Arenicola marina (L.). PS was pre-equilibrated in natively contaminated sediment. A positive relation was observed between microplastic concentration in the sediment and both uptake of plastic particles and weight loss by A. marina. Furthermore, a reduction in feeding activity was observed at a PS dose of 7.4% dry weight. A low PS dose of 0.074% increased bioaccumulation of PCBs by a factor of 1.1-3.6, an effect that was significant for ΣPCBs and several individual congeners. At higher doses, bioaccumulation decreased compared to the low dose, which however, was only significant for PCB105. PS had statistically significant effects on the organisms' fitness and bioaccumulation, but the magnitude of the effects was not high. This may be different for sites with different plastic concentrations, or plastics with a higher affinity for POPs.

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Crossref · 10.1021/es302763x

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Authors
Besseling, E., Wegner, A., Foekema, E. M., van den Heuvel-Greve, M. J., & Koelmans, A. A.
Affiliations
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
  • Wageningen Marine Research (NL)
  • IMARES—Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 68, 1970 AB IJmuiden, The Netherlands
Corresponding author
Koelmans, Albert A.
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2012-12-11
Volume
47
Issue
1
Pages
593-600
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W2097481930
Cited by
1,012
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 95 · 2022: 129 · 2021: 118 · 2020: 122 · 2019: 78 · 2018: 86 · 2017: 59 · 2016: 60 · 2015: 44 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 10
FWCI
19.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
Keywords
microplastics, polystyrene, polychlorinated biphenyls, bioaccumulation, Arenicola marina, lugworm, benthic organisms, persistent organic pollutants, feeding activity, survival, sediment contamination, PCB congeners
MeSH terms
Animals, Feeding Behavior, Polychaeta, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Polystyrenes, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Geologic Sediments

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