Global distribution of two polystyrene-derived contaminants in the marine environment: A review

Plastic pollution is one of the major issues impacting on the marine environment. Plastic polymers are known to leach industrial chemicals and associated contaminants. In this review, we focused on assessing the global distribution and concentration of two polystyrene-derived contaminants, hexabromo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2020-12, Vol.161 (Pt A), p.111729, Article 111729
Main Authors: De-la-Torre, Gabriel Enrique, Dioses-Salinas, Diana Carolina, Pizarro-Ortega, Carlos Ivan, Saldaña-Serrano, Miguel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Additive
Aquaculture
Asia
Biota
Contaminants
Distribution
Environmental Monitoring
Europe
Flame retardant
Hexabromocyclododecane
Industrial pollution
Industry
Marine environment
Marine organisms
Marine pollution
Marine sediments
North America
Oligomers
Plastic pollution
Plastics
Plastics industry
Pollution
Polymers
Polystyrene
Polystyrene resins
Polystyrenes - analysis
Seawater
Sediment
Sediments
Styrene
Styrene oligomers
Toxicity
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:Plastic pollution is one of the major issues impacting on the marine environment. Plastic polymers are known to leach industrial chemicals and associated contaminants. In this review, we focused on assessing the global distribution and concentration of two polystyrene-derived contaminants, hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) and styrene oligomers (SOs), in marine sediments and seawater. Overall, most of the studies were carried out in Asia, North America, and Europe. Relatively high concentrations of these contaminants are generally attributed to the proximity of urban cities, plastic industries, polystyrene pollution, and aquaculture. Moreover, the concentrations in sediments are many times higher than in seawater. HBCDs were found to be a negligible risk to marine biota when compared to the ecotoxicological endpoints. However, realistic concentrations of SOs could compromise the wellbeing of certain species in highly polluted sites. The future perspectives and research were discussed. •The global distribution of two polystyrene-derived contaminants was assessed.•Hexabromocyclododecanes do not represent a threat to marine organisms.•Styrene oligomers are emerging contaminants to look out for.•Marine sediments are a hotspot due to the hydrophobic nature of these contaminants.•There is no data of these contaminants in South America.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111729