Persistent organic pollutants sorbed in plastic resin pellet: “Nurdles” from coastal areas of Central Chile

Plastic resin pellets were collected from coastal areas (n = 7) of central Chile. Pellets were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for polymer identification and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) determination. Screened compounds were PBDEs (n = 10), PCBs (n = 7), and OCPs (n = 13). Pellets were only found at Lenga Beach (San Vicente Bay), which is likely influenced by the presence of industrial activities in the surrounding coastal area. The diameter of the pellets was 4.0 ± 0.6 cm (n = 370), the color varied from white (32%) to yellowing (68%), and the most prevalent polymer identified was high-density polyethylene (99%). POPs concentrations (ng/g-pellet) ranged from 10 to 133 for Ʃ10PBDEs, from 3 to 60 for Ʃ7PCBs and between 0.1 and 7 for DDTs. Levels of POPs are consistent with other investigations around the world and highlight the sorbtion capacity of plastics resin pellets, and consequently transport of POPs into coastal environments.

Fil: Pozo, Karla. Masaryk University; República Checa. Universidad San Sebastián; Chile

Fil: Urbina, Williams. Universidad San Sebastián; Chile

Fil: Gómez, Victoria. Università degli Studi di Siena; Italia

Fil: Torres, Mariett. Universidad San Sebastián; Chile

Fil: Nuñez, Dariela. Centro de Investigación de Polímeros Avanzados; Chile

Fil: Přibylová, Petra. Masaryk University; República Checa

Fil: Audy, Ondřej. Masaryk University; República Checa

Fil: Clarke, Bradley. University of Melbourne; Australia

Fil: Arias, Andres Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; Argentina

Fil: Tombesi, Norma Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; Argentina

Fil: Guida, Yago. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil

Fil: Klánová, Jana. Masaryk University; República Checa