Observational study reveals polystyrene spherule ingestion in multiple coastal marine species, indicating risks of intestinal blockage and toxic pollutant transfer.
Key Points
To determine the abundance, chemical and biological contamination, and biological consumption of polystyrene spherules in coastal waters.
Sampled and characterized polystyrene spherules ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 mm in diameter from southern New England coastal waters.
Assessed surface bacterial colonization, measured absorbed polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations, and analyzed gut contents across 14 fish species and a chaetognath species.
Identified clear crystalline and diene rubber-pigmented opaque spherules carrying surface bacteria and absorbed polychlorinated biphenyls at 5 parts per million.
Observed selective ingestion of opaque spherules in 8 of 14 examined fish species and a chaetognath, with potential intestinal blockage noted in smaller fish.