Experimental Evidence from the Field that Naturally Weathered Microplastics Accumulate Cyanobacterial Toxins in Eutrophic Lakes
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Authors
Hataley, Eden K.
Shahmohamadloo, Rene
Ortiz Almirall, Xavier
Harrison, Anna L.
Rochman, Chelsea M.
Zou, Shan
Orihel, Diane
Date
2022-09-23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Keyword
Absorption , Adsorption , Algal toxins , Biofilm , Freshwater toxicology , Microplastics
Alternative Title
Experimental Evidence from the Field that Naturally Weathered Microplastics Accumulate Cyanobacterial Toxins in Eutrophic Lakes
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems with recurring harmful algal blooms can also be polluted with plastics. As such, the two environmental problems may interact. To test if microplastics influence the partitioning of microcystins in freshwater lakes, we examined the sorption of four microcystin congeners to different polymers of commercially available plastics (low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene). We conducted three experiments: a batch sorption experiment in the laboratory with pristine microplastics of four different polymers, a second batch sorption experiment in the laboratory to compare pristine and naturally weathered microplastics of a single polymer, and a 2-month sorption experiment in the field with three different polymers experiencing natural weathering in a eutrophic lake. This series of experiments led to a surprising result: microcystins sorbed poorly to all polymers tested under laboratory conditions (less than 0.01% of the initial amount added), irrespective of weathering, yet, in the field experiment, all polymers accumulated microcystins under ambient conditions in a eutrophic lake (range: 0-84.1 ng/g). Furthermore, the sorption capacity for microcystins differed among polymers in the laboratory experiment yet were largely the same in the field. We also found that the affinity for plastic varied among microcystin congeners, namely more polar congeners demonstrated a greater affinity for plastic than less polar ones. This study improves our understanding of the role of polymer and congener type in microplastic-microcystin sorption, and moreover, provides novel evidence from the field, showing that naturally weathered microplastics in freshwater lakes can accumulate microcystins. Consequently, we caution that microplastics may alter the persistence, transport, and bioavailability of microcystins in freshwaters, which could have implications for human and wildlife health.
Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Hataley, E.K., Shahmohamadloo, R.S., Almirall, X.O., Harrison, A.L., Rochman, C.M., Zou, S. and Orihel, D.M. (2022), Experimental Evidence from the Field that Naturally Weathered Microplastics Accumulate Cyanobacterial Toxins in Eutrophic Lakes. Environ Toxicol Chem. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5485, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5485. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Citation
Hataley, E.K., Shahmohamadloo, R.S., Almirall, X.O., Harrison, A.L., Rochman, C.M., Zou, S. and Orihel, D.M. (2022), Experimental Evidence from the Field that Naturally Weathered Microplastics Accumulate Cyanobacterial Toxins in Eutrophic Lakes. Environ Toxicol Chem. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5485
Publisher
Wiley