Evidence for Fossil Fuel PM1 Accumulation in Marine Biota

When fine particulates such as those with a diameter of approximately 1 μm (particulate matter, PM 1 ) are released from fossil fuel combustion into the air, they warm the atmosphere and contribute to millions of premature deaths in humans each year. Considerable quantities of PM 1 eventually enter the oceans as suspended particulates, yet subsequent removal mechanisms are poorly understood. In fact, the presence of PM 1 in marine biota has never been reported. Since sea anemones are opportunistic suspension feeders, they are anticipated to incorporate and accumulate PM 1 in their bodies. By histological examination, PM 1 was detected in 21 of the 22 sea anemones collected from Taiwan and Southeast China, with a depth of intertidal zone to 1000 m. PM 1 , if present, was always detected in endodermal layers and had the same dominant color (i.e., black, brown, or green) in different species from the same site. The bioaccumulation factor of PM 1 in sea anemones was approximately 5-7 orders of magnitude. Based on radioisotope 14 C results, the contribution of fossil fuel source PM 1 was 8-24%. Regardless of PM 1 's color, S and Fe were commonly detected by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), suggesting anthropogenic sources. Furthermore, a maternal transfer of materials was suggested based on the existence of PM 1 in sea anemone eggs and in brooding and released juveniles. The significance of PM 1 accumulation by biota in aquatic ecosystems and the potential risk to living organisms via food webs warrant further investigation.