Leachates of weathering plastics from an urban sandy beach: Toxicity to sea urchin fertilization and early development.

Plastic leachates have chemical and biological implications for marine environments. This study experimentally evaluated acute effects of weathering plastic leachates (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %) on fertilization and early development of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Fertilization, embryonic and larval development were drastically inhibited (~75 %) when gametes were exposed to intermediate and high leachate concentrations or delayed when exposed to the lowest concentration. Fertilization and first cleavage stages were highly affected by exposure to intermediate and high leachate concentrations. None of the cells incubated at concentrations from 50 % reached blastula stage, suggesting that embryonic development was the most sensitive stage. Abnormalities in embryos and larvae were observed in all leachate treatments. Chemical analysis detected high concentration of bisphenol A, which may induce these observed effects. Our results highlight the potential threats of plastic pollution to sea urchin populations, which may severely affect the structure and functioning of coastal ecosystems.

Phthalates contamination in the coastal and marine sediments of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Coastal and marine environments have been strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities, which may lead to high concentrations of different pollutants in sediments. Our study aimed to assess sediment contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA) in nine coastal and marine environments at Rio de Janeiro-Brazil. Physical and chemical water variables, grain-size parameters, moisture, and organic-matter content in sediments were assessed by sampling station. Multivariate analysis evidenced environmental differences between coastal lagoon and oceanic beaches, mostly influenced by marine waters. Differences among bay's beaches were mostly evidenced by sediment characteristics. PAHs and BPA were not detected in samples. For the first time, PAEs were found in sediments at Rio de Janeiro coast (South Atlantic). DEHP was detected in all coastal and marine environments, DBP was found in coastal lagoon and three marine environments. DnOP and DINP were solely found in the coastal lagoon.