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The chemical components of plastic wastes have made their disposal a major economic, social, and environmental problem worldwide. This study evaluated the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of marine plastic debris on the beaches of Concepción Bay, Central Chile, taken during three periods (spring, summer, and winter). An integrated approach was used, including chemical and toxicological data, using the Microtox® test with Vibrio fischeri and SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli and concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The results presented here exclusively include the novel data obtained from the winter campaign, revealing high concentrations of PBDEs (238 ± 521 ng g−1). In addition, the genotoxicity and acute toxicity tests were sensitive for most of the samples studied. This investigation is the first attempt to analyse the toxicity of plastic debris in coastal areas along the Chilean coast. [Display omitted] • The combination of chemical analysis and bioassay on the same sample of marine plastic debris. • Marine plastic debris show moderate to highly toxicity genotoxicity and acute toxicity. • SOS chromotest was the most sensitive test and showed correlations with respect to contaminants. • All samples presented high concentrations of PBDEs. • The samples taken in Dichato beach were the most toxic in winter and spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical components of plastic wastes have made their disposal a major economic, social, and environmental problem worldwide. This study evaluated the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of marine plastic debris on the beaches of Concepción Bay, Central Chile, taken during three periods (spring, summer, and winter). An integrated approach was used, including chemical and toxicological data, using the Microtox® test with Vibrio fischeri and SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli and concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The results presented here exclusively include the novel data obtained from the winter campaign, revealing high concentrations of PBDEs (238 ± 521 ng g−1). In addition, the genotoxicity and acute toxicity tests were sensitive for most of the samples studied. This investigation is the first attempt to analyse the toxicity of plastic debris in coastal areas along the Chilean coast. [Display omitted] • The combination of chemical analysis and bioassay on the same sample of marine plastic debris. • Marine plastic debris show moderate to highly toxicity genotoxicity and acute toxicity. • SOS chromotest was the most sensitive test and showed correlations with respect to contaminants. • All samples presented high concentrations of PBDEs. • The samples taken in Dichato beach were the most toxic in winter and spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Unlabelled Image • The prevalent polymer found was high-density polyethylene (HDPE, 99%). • PCBs showed the highest levels followed by PBDEs with BDE209 as the dominant compound. • White and yellowing pellets showed different POP patterns. • Pellets are suitable tools to monitor POP levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]