Chromium (IV) transfer to Amusium pleuronectes by LDPE microplastics: An experimental study

An experiment was carried out to investigate the potential of virgin LDPE microplastics to transfer heavy metals. Desired shapes (fibres, fragments, and films) and sizes (< 5 mm) of virgin LDPE microplastics were immersed in a known concentration (30 & mu;g/l) of chromium (IV). These Cr-coated microplastics were introduced into a culture tank containing edible scallops (Amusium pleuronectes). After the completion of the experiment (5 days), the sediments in the culture tank and edible tissues of A. pleuronectes were tested for the presence of Cr. In the sediments, a maximum concentration of 1.934 & mu;g/g of Cr was accumulated at a rate of R2 = 0.979, while in the tissues, the maximum accumulation concentration was 0.733 & mu;g/g of Cr at a rate of R2 = 0.807. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy analysis also confirmed the presence of Cr (2.61 & PLUSMN; 0.44 mass % and 1.80 & PLUSMN; 0.30 atom%) in the tissues of A. pleuronectes, which was absent in the control tissues. The study showed that when exposed to contaminants such as heavy metals, LDPE microplastics can adhere and transfer them to biotic tissues. LDPE showed the potential to transfer adhered contaminants; however, the effects caused by these transferred contaminants on biota must be studied further. Risk assessment study showed that potential ecological risk of Cr is < 40 indicating low risk however, the combined effect of Cr and LDPE can compound its toxicity which needs to be studied further.

Automated summary

An experiment was conducted to investigate the potential of virgin LDPE microplastics to transfer heavy metals. Results showed that LDPE microplastics coated with chromium can accumulate in sediments and tissues of edible scallops. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of chromium in the tissues. This study highlights the ability of LDPE microplastics to adhere and transfer contaminants to biotic tissues.