Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are one of the most important indicators of the anthropic influence on the environment, specially on the biota as they are bioaccumulable and have recently shown to interact with microplastics (MPs) [1]. Mussels are suitable for in-lab aquarium experiments, such as bioacumulation studies, which provide insigth about the occurrence and fate of pollutants in the organisms. In the present study, bioacummulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis of 20 POPs including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) was assesssed with or without the influence of MPs. Mussels (M. galloprovincialis) were distributed randomly in three groups: (B): control; (C): exposed to POPs; and (C+M): exposed to POPs+MPs (polyethylene). The experiment was carried out in two stages: exposure (0-28 days) and depuration (29-58 days). Visceral mass and haemolymph of the mussels were extracted separately, using QuEChERS and solid phase extraction. Extracts were analysed via UHPLC-MS/MS. Results showed that 3 PPCPs, 4 pesticides and 3 PFASs accumulated in visceral mass with bio-concentration factors (BCFs) ranging 6.7–15000 L/kg. In haemolymph, 2 PPCPs, 2 pesticides and PFPeA were detected with BCFs ranging 0.9–3.3 L/kg. Comparing C and C+M, MPs worked as a vector for the accumulation of the PFASs with higher BCFs in the presence of MPs. Furthermore, the elimination of PFDA and PFOS was slower in the mussels exposed to MPs. On the other hand, the pesticides terbuthylazine and chlorpyrifos showed lower BCFs and more rapid elimination in the mussels exposed to MPs.

This work has been supported by Grant RTI2018-097158-B-C31 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe”.

Trabajo presentado en el SETAC Europe 32nd annual meeting, celebrado en Copenhague (Dinamarca) del 15 al 19 de mayo de 2022.