Abstract
This study evaluates the impacts of 16 different leachates of plastic-made packaging on marine species of different trophic levels (bacteria, algae, echinoderms). Standard ecotoxicological endpoints (inhibition of bioluminescence, inhibition of growth, embryo-toxicity) and alterations of ecologically significant parameters (i.e., echinoderms’ body-size) were measured following exposure under different pH water conditions: marine standard (pH 8.1) and two increasingly acidic conditions (pH 7.8 and 7.5) in order to evaluate possible variations induced by ocean acidification. The results obtained in this study evidence that the tested doses are not able to significantly affect bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) and algae (Phaeodactylum tricornutum). On the contrary, Paracentrotus lividus larvae were significantly affected by several packaging types (13 out of 16) with meaningless differences between pH conditions.
Highlights
In Europe, plastic production reached almost 58 million tonnes in 2019 and packaging represents the largest end-use market accounting for approximately 40% of the total demand, the growth of which has been accelerated by a global shift from reusable to single-use containers [1,2]
Results obtained in this study at pH standard (8.1 units) on leachates, evidenced that the tested doses are not able to significantly affect bacteria (V. fischeri) and algae (P. tricornutum)
P. lividus larvae were significantly affected by several packaging leachates, meaning that this is a sensitive organism for testing plastic pollution
Summary
In Europe, plastic production reached almost 58 million tonnes in 2019 and packaging represents the largest end-use market accounting for approximately 40% of the total demand, the growth of which has been accelerated by a global shift from reusable to single-use containers [1,2]. 0.5 years, [1]), a proper waste management strategy is clearly necessary. According to Plastics Europe (2020) [2], since 2006, the quantity of plastic post-consumer packaging waste sent to recycling sites has increased by 92%. The new Directive (EU) 2019/852 on Packaging and Packaging Waste set 50% as the recycling target for plastic packaging by 2025 and 55% by 2030, strengthening interest and commitment to the correct management of plastic materials. In 2019, the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) world campaign collected a total of
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