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Effects of cigarette butts on marine keystone species (Ulva lactuca L. and Mytilus edulis L.) and sediment microphytobenthos

journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 18:11 authored by Dannielle Green, Louise Kregting, Bas Boots
Outdoor mesocosms with constantly flowing natural seawater were used to test the effects of littered cigarette butts on the filter feeder Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), the macroalga, Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) and sediment microphytobenthos in a semi-natural marine setting. Either conventional, cellulose acetate, or biodegradable, cellulose, smoked cigarette butts were added at densities of 0.25 or 1 butt L−1. The clearance rates of mussels exposed to 1 butt L−1 of cellulose acetate butts were three times less than the controls. The growth of U. lactuca was not measurably affected by cigarette butts, however the sediment chlorophyll content was significantly less in mesocosms exposed to 0.25 and 1 butt L−1 of cellulose acetate butts. These effects occurred despite constant replacement of seawater indicating how hazardous conventional cigarette butts are to marine life. Biodegradable cellulose cigarette butts had minimal effects on the measured variables but should still not be discarded as litter.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

165

Page range

112152

Publication title

Marine Pollution Bulletin

ISSN

1879-3363

Publisher

Elsevier

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2021-02-12

Legacy creation date

2021-02-12

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

Faculty of Science & Engineering

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