Assessment of microplastic-sorbed contaminant bioavailability through analysis of biomarker gene expression in larval zebrafish

Sleight, Victoria A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0550-8500; Bakir, Adil; Thompson, Richard C.; Henry, Theodore B.. 2017 Assessment of microplastic-sorbed contaminant bioavailability through analysis of biomarker gene expression in larval zebrafish. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 116 (1-2). 291-297. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.055

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.055

Abstract/Summary

Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in marine ecosystems. Because toxicants (termed here “co-contaminants”) can sorb to MPs, there is potential for MPs to alter co-contaminant bioavailability. Our objective was to demonstrate sorption of two co-contaminants with different physicochemistries [phenanthrene (Phe), log10Kow = 4.57; and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), log10Kow = 3.67] to MPs; and assess whether co-contaminant bioavailability was increased after MP settlement. Bioavailability was indicated by gene expression in larval zebrafish. Both Phe and EE2 sorbed to MPs, which reduced bioavailability by a maximum of 33% and 48% respectively. Sorption occurred, but was not consistent with predictions based on co-contaminant physicochemistry (Phe having higher log10Kow was expected to have higher sorption). Contaminated MPs settled to the bottom of the exposures did not lead to increased bioavailability of Phe or EE2. Phe was 48% more bioavailable than predicted by a linear sorption model, organism-based measurements therefore contribute unique insight into MP co-contaminant bioavailability.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.055
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation
ISSN:	0025326X
Additional Keywords:	Danio rerio, microplastics, Phenanthrene, 17a-ethinylestradiol, sorption, bioavalability
Date made live:	16 Jan 2017 10:39 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/515842

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.055

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation

ISSN:

0025326X

Additional Keywords:

Danio rerio, microplastics, Phenanthrene, 17a-ethinylestradiol, sorption, bioavalability

Date made live:

16 Jan 2017 10:39 +0 (UTC)