Styrofoam debris as a potential carrier of mercury within ecosystems

Abstract

The present paper falls within the trend of research into interactions between various pollutants emitted anthropogenically into the environment and focuses on mercury and styrofoam debris. The study covers part of the Southern Baltic’s drainage area. Apart from styrofoam and beach sand, the research involved mosses, which are bioindicators of atmospheric metal pollution. The research has shown that mercury present in the environment becomes associated with styrofoam debris. The median for mercury concentrations in virgin styrofoam samples (0.23 ng g−1 dry weight (d.w.)) and in beach sand samples (0.69 ng g−1 d.w.) was an order of magnitude lower than in the styrofoam debris (5.20 ng g−1 d.w.). The highest mercury content observed in styrofoam debris (3,863 ng g−1 d.w.) exceeded the standards for bottom sediment and soil. The binding of mercury to styrofoam debris takes place in water, and presumably also through contact with the ground. A significant role in this process was played by biotic factors, such as the presence of biofilm and abiotic ones, such as solar radiation and the transformations of mercury forms related to it. As a result, mercury content in styrofoam debris underwent seasonal changes, peaking in summertime. Furthermore, the regional changes of mercury content in the studied debris seem to reflect the pollution levels of the environment.

Effects of Pollution on Marine Organisms

“…bottom sediment and soil standards by measuring approximately 3,000 ng/g mercury, and suggest that with age these particles could be enhanced in their ability to transport mercury in the environment (Graca et al 2014).…”

“…Utilizing field collections, Kwon et al (2014) analyzed the regional distribution of styrene constituents Authors noted occasional foam debris particles exceeded bottom sediment and soil standards by measuring approximately 3,000 ng/g mercury, and suggest that with age these particles could be enhanced in their ability to transport mercury in the environment (Graca et al 2014). Public concern over the leaching of such contaminants to seafood emphasizes the importance of the study's major finding that plastic ingestion is a negligible source of plastic additives to cod when compared with other pathways, though plastic particle ingestion could be a substantial pathway for introducing these chemicals to the lugworm.…”

“…Utilizing field collections, Kwon et al (2014) analyzed the regional distribution of styrene constituents presence of biofilms and the interaction of the particles with solar radiation lead to seasonal peaks in Hg concentration during summer months (Graca et al 2014).…”

“…Trace metal sorption did not significantly differ among the five polymers, though all metal concentrations increased during the twelve-month study which implies persistent debris fragments accumulate trace metals over time. In a new study byGraca et al (2014), researchers analyzed virgin and beached foamed plastics for total inorganic mercury content and found an order of magnitude higher mercury content in foam debris (5.20 ng/g) over virgin foam pieces (0.23 n/g). The presence of biofilms and the interaction of the particles with solar radiation lead to seasonal peaks in Hg concentration during summer months(Graca et al 2014).…”

A Relevant Screening of Organic Contaminants Present on Freshwater and Pre-Production Microplastics

“…POPs such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been frequently reported [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], were found sorbed on plastic and MPs of marine environments. Moreover, inorganic pollutants have also been found [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. As it is known, if organisms ingest MPs, these contaminants can transfer to food webs and cause consequences to human health [ 16 , 17 ] and ecosystems.…”