Microplastic accumulation in benthic invertebrates in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

• Published in: Environment International
• Main Authors: Sfriso AA, Tomio Y, Rosso B, Gambaro A, Sfriso A, Corami F, Rastelli E, Corinaldesi C, Mistri M, Munari C
• Other Authors: Sfriso, Aa, Tomio, Y, Rosso, B, Gambaro, A, Sfriso, A, Corami, F, Rastelli, E, Corinaldesi, C, Mistri, M, Munari, C
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Antarctica; Bentho; Food web; FTIR; Microplastic; Nile red; Antarc*; Antarctic; Ross Sea
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11566/286003; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105587

Microplastic contamination of the benthic invertebrate fauna in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) was determined. Twelve macrobenthic species, characterized by different feeding strategies, were selected at 3 sampling sites at increasing distance from the Italian Scientific Base (Mario Zucchelli, Camp Icarus, Adelie Cove). The 83% of the analyzed macrobenthic species contained microplastics (0.01–3.29 items mg−1). The size of the particles, measured by Feret diameter, ranged from 33 to 1000 μm with the highest relative abundance between 50 and 100 μm. Filter-feeders and grazers displayed values of microplastic contamination from 3 to 5 times higher than omnivores and predators, leading to the hypothesis that there is no evident bioaccumulation through the food web. The prevalent polymers identified by micro-FTIR were nylon (86%) and polyethylene (5%); other polymers identified in Antarctic benthos were polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene, phenolic resin, polypropylene, polystyrene resin and XT polymer