Examining the relative contribution of PCBs assimilated from microplastic beads and food in goldfish

Session: 46. - Plastics in the Great Lakes: Characterizing the Problem and Finding Solutions

Stefan Grigorakis, University of Windsor, Great Lakes Institute, [email protected]
Ken Drouillard, University of Windsor, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, [email protected]

Abstract

Fish have been found to naturally ingest microplastic particles and plastic is capable of sorbing hydrophobic contaminants that bioaccumulate if ingested by fish; yet there is little to no work done investigating the effect microplastic has on PCB assimilation in fish. In this study, we examined the assimilation efficiency of PCBs sorbed onto microplastic in goldfish. Using a dual trace method combined with careful food preparation, we were also able to compare the relative contribution of plastic-sorbed PCBs and food-sorbed PCBs on overall PCB assimilation. Two unique PCB mixtures . PRC-PCBs (14 non-environmental PCBs) were sorbed onto plastic and the Aroclor mixture was sorbed onto food pellets before the experimental food was prepared. This allowed us to determine whether the assimilated PCBs originated from the plastic or the food pellet. Assimilation of plastic-sorbed PCBs is unlikely to substantially increase overall PCB assimilation in fish. PCB analysis of food-sorbed PCBs is in progress and this abstract will be updated upon complettion. 

1. Keyword
microplastics

2. Keyword
PCBs

3. Keyword
pollutants

4. Additional Keyword
Assimilation Efficiency