Assessing microplastic as a vector for chemical entry into fish larvae using a novel tube-feeding approach

A tube-feeding model for administering microplastic (MP, Ø = 30 ?m) spheres to fish larvae was employed quantify the uptake of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) into larval body through a single administration MP. Polychlorinated biphenyl-153 (PCB-153) used as representative HOC that can be sorbed MP in sea. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) (34–51 days post-hatching) were selected animal model. The tube-fed load up 200 polystyrene or polyethylene spiked with 14C-labelled PCB-153, and control an isotonic solution without At time sampling (24 h post feeding), some had evacuated all from gut, while others still remaining gut. In significant number present whole-body scintillation counting (including gut lumen) showed elevated levels tracer compared those larvae. For which almost been by sampling, whole not significantly different These data indicate there no transfer PCB-153 contaminated within gut-transit <24 h. This study suggests vector role absorption may minor other pathways.