Non-traditional species sensitivity distribution approaches to analyze hazardous concentrations of microplastics in marine water

Abstract

Owing to their ubiquitous nature, microplastics are a major environmental concern. This study reviewed the toxicity data of microplastics in marine water, and analyzed their species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves and hazardous concentrations (HCs). Toxicity database of no-observed effect concentration (NOEC), 50% effect concentration (EC₅₀), and highest observed no-effect concentration (HONEC), and lethal, developing, reproductive, biochemical, and behavioral toxicity endpoints was used. Using 169 chronic NOEC databases, all non-traditional toxicity endpoint databases showed stronger HC values, better fit, and more variable toxicity sensitivity than those derived from traditional values. Moreover, using 426 chronic NOEC, EC₅₀, and HONEC data points, HC values calculated from traditional plus HONEC toxicity values showed weaker HC values, slightly better fit, and more variable toxicity sensitivity than those derived from traditional toxicity values. The SSD approach using non-traditional toxicity and marine water toxicity data can expand the marine water toxicity database, including information on SSD curves and HCs of diverse microplastics.

Keywords: Highest observed no-effect concentration (HONEC); Marine environment; Microplastic pollution; Predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC); Traditional toxicity data.