Evidence of microplastic-mediated transfer of PCB-153 to sea urchin tissues using radiotracers

The present study reports the first experimental microplastic-mediated transfer of a key PCB congener into adult specimens of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Three experiments were conducted to assess whether 14C-PCB -153 adsorbed onto negatively buoyant microplastics (MPs) (500-600 mu m) is bioavailable to the sea urchin: (1) exposure to a low concentration of 14C-PCB-153 sorbed onto a high number of virgin MPs (lowPCB highMP experiment), (2) exposure to a high concentration of 14C-PCB-153 sorbed onto a relatively low number of virgin MPs (highPCB lowMP experiment), and (3) exposure to a low concentration of 14C-PCB-153 sorbed onto a relatively low number of aged MP (lowPCB lowMP experiment). Results showed that the transfer of 14C-PCB -153 from MPs to sea urchin tissues occurred in each of the three 15-day experiments, suggesting that MPs located on the seafloor may act as vectors of PCB-153 to sea urchins even during short-term exposure events.

Automated summary

This study reports the first experimental evidence of microplastic-mediated transfer of a key PCB congener into adult sea urchins. The results suggest that even during short-term exposure events, microplastics located on the seafloor may act as vectors of PCB-153 to sea urchins.