Standard Presentation (15 mins) Australian Marine Sciences Association 2022

Trophic transfer of microplastics and the influence of plasticiser, bis(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate, DEHP  (#307)

Michaela E Miller 1 2 3 , Cherie A Motti 2 3 , Keegan Vickers 1 , Hannah Kennedy 1 , Lee Bastin 2 , Mark Hamann 1 , Frederieke Kroon 2 3
  1. College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Annandale, QLD, Australia
  2. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  3. AIMS@JCU Division of Research and Innovation, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Plastic litter, and specifically microplastics (MPs; plastics < 5 mm), has become a well-documented issue of concern and warrants global action. Within the marine environment, MPs have the potential to cause both physical and chemical impacts (e.g., gut blockage, decreased feeding, physiological and behavioural) during ingestion by marine organisms. Despite the increase in MP experimental studies, and repeated claims of trophic transfer of MPs, detailed quantification across multiple trophic levels is seldom done. This study investigated the trophic transfer of an environmentally relevant MP (i.e., polyester microfibres) across three trophic levels under varying treatments using bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP (a known endocrine disruptor with carcinogenic properties), as a co-contaminant. More specifically, the transfer of MPs, either dosed (a) alone, (b) alongside DEHP, or (c) sorbed with DEHP, from copepods (Parvocalanus crassirostris) to mysid shrimp (Mysida spp.) and then on to moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) was tested in a laboratory setting. Ingestion was observed and detailed at every trophic level with a detected increase in MPs from copepods to mysids and again from mysids to moon wrasse, indicating biomagnification of MPs. There was no significant impact of DEHP on the transfer of MPs through the food web. This study is the first to demonstrate the transfer of microplastics across three trophic levels belonging to a simplified food web and highlights the continued ecological impact of MPs.