Comparison of the Uptake of Tire Particles via Suspension and Surface Deposit Feeding in the Estuarine Amphipod Corophium volutator

Abstract

Tire particles have been reported as a major source of microplastic pollution for aquatic environments, but interactions between biota and tire particles remain uncertain. In this study, we exposed the estuarine amphipod Corophium volutator to environmentally relevant concentrations of tire particles to quantify the ingestion and adherence of tire particles via two different feeding modes: suspension feeding and surface deposit feeding. C. volutator were placed into exposure treatments relevant to each feeding mode, dosed with tire particles (0.1 g/L). In both treatments, tire particles were found to be adhered and ingested by all individuals. In the suspension feeding treatment, individuals ingested significantly higher numbers of tire particles compared to the surface deposit treatment and controls (GLMM, p < 0.001). C. volutator had significantly higher numbers of adhered particles to the antenna compared to other body parts (Kruskal–Wallis, df = 6, p < 0.001). The impact of anthropogenic particle adherence upon biota is poorly elucidated, but an array of adverse outcome pathways are postulated based on existing literature. The outcomes of this study will help to elucidate the exposure of biota to tire particles in benthic estuarine and coastal environments.