IMPACT OF TIRE WEAR LEACHATES ON PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITIES

, Sampalo Morales Marta, Le Du Jessy, Martínez Ico, Gómez May, Almeda Rodrigo.

Half a million tonnes of microplastics derived from car tires is estimated to reach marine environments every year. Microparticles generated by abrasion of tires, tire wear particles (TWP), are major contributors to microplastic pollution in the marine ecosystems. The composition of TWP consists of a mixture of the main polymer (rubber) and a variety of chemical additives both organic and inorganic. Some of these additives can easily leach from the main polymer into marine environments. Currently, there are few studies about the effects of tire particle leachates on marine phytoplankton; while toxic effects have been observed in monocultures, the consequences of TWP pollution on marine planktonic communities remain unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of car tire leachates on the coastal phytoplankton communities of Gran Canaria. For this purpose, leachates of micronized car tires (

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