渤海斑海豹粪便中微塑料污染特征及潜在危害评估

Characteristics and potential hazards assessment of microplastic pollution in the feces of spotted seals in Bohai Sea

  • 摘要: 微塑料作为一类新污染物已在多种生物体内广泛检出,但有关海洋哺乳类动物体内微塑料尤其是小粒径微塑料(>20 μm)污染水平的报道仍非常有限。利用激光红外成像光谱分析了渤海斑海豹粪便中微塑料聚合物材质类型、颗粒丰度和形态特征,并根据每种聚合物的单体危害值计算微塑料污染的聚合物危害指数(PHI),以评估其潜在危害。结果表明:斑海豹粪便中微塑料的平均丰度为(2.96±2.06)个/g,主要聚合物材质类型包括聚乙烯(40.1%)、聚丙烯(27.8%)和聚苯乙烯(15.9%),形态可分为碎片(59.5%)、纤维(25.0%)、薄膜(8.3%)和颗粒(7.2%),并且小粒径微塑料(20~150 μm)占检出微塑料的80%以上。斑海豹粪便中微塑料的PHI高达610.23,这主要与粪便中具有较高聚合物单体危害值的聚氨酯和聚氯乙烯有关。本研究结果不仅丰富了渤海微塑料污染的科学数据,也为评估微塑料对珍稀物种的健康危害提供了有益参考。

     

    Abstract: Microplastics are emerging pollutants that have been extensively detected in various organisms. However, reports on the presence of microplastics in marine mammals, especially small-sized microplastics (>20 μm), remain limited. Laser direct infrared imaging spectroscopy (LD-IR) was employed to detect and identify the polymer types, particle abundances, and morphological characteristics of microplastics in the feces of spotted seals (Phoca largha) living in the Bohai Sea. Furthermore, the potential hazards index (PHI) of microplastic pollution was calculated based on the hazard score of each polymer monomer. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the feces of spotted seals was (2.96 ±2.06)items/g. Moreover, polyethylene (40.1%), polypropylene (27.8%), and polystyrene (15.9%) were the predominant polymer types identified in fecal samples. From the perspective of morphology, microplastics were composed of fragments (59.5%), fibers (25.0%), films (8.3%), and particles (7.2%). It is noteworthy that microplastics of small size, specifically those measuring between 20 μm and 150 μm, accounted for over 80% of the identified microplastics. The PHI of microplastics in the feces of spotted seals reached a notably high value of 610.23, which was largely attributed to polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride with relatively high hazard scores. The findings from this study not only enhance the scientific knowledge regarding microplastic pollution in the Bohai Sea, but also serve as a valuable reference for evaluating the health risks faced by rare species as a result of their exposure to microplastic contamination.

     

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