Transfer of POPs to Grass Shrimp Following Ingestion of PAH-Coated Microplastic

This study investigated the transfer of fluoranthene, a PAH, from fluoranthene-coated microplastic to grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) following ingestion. Grass shrimp were exposed to fluoranthene-coated microspheres. Amount of fluoranthene coating the microspheres was quantified pre-exposure and post-exposure. Fluoranthene concentration of the water in which the shrimp were held during exposure was also determined following exposure. Control shrimp were exposed to un-coated microspheres. Fluoranthene concentration of the water in which the control shrimp were held during exposure was also determined following exposure.To determine transfer of fluoranthene to grass shrimp following uptake in the gills, shrimp were fed brine shrimp prior to exposure. This prevented the grass shrimp from ingesting the fluoranthene-coated microspheres.