Microplastic in Atlantic salmon feed
1 Formål
Plastic pollution is a global threat to aquatic animals and is escalating day by day. The annual production of plastics has increased nearly 200 times since 1950 and reached 381 million tons in 2018 (Ritchie and Roser, 2018). Huge quantities of plastics are ending up in the oceans. The oceanic plastic deposition is estimated to be between 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons annually (Jambeck et al., 2015), making up a major part of marine litter. Microplastic is generally referred to as particles with a size smaller than 5 mm (Barnes et al., 2009). Microplastics being a physical contaminant is linked to decreased nutrient intake in marine organisms (Wong et al., 2021). Microplastic not only has the potential to block the digestive tract of fish but can also accumulate in zooplankton (Goswami et al., 2020). Microplastics particles thus can reduce the feeding rate of marine organism and hence alter their growth rate. In aquatic organisms, uptake of microplastics can occur through gills, skin or through ingestion. Farmed Atlantic salmon is fed on a diet enriched with fishmeal and fish oil. Most of the fishmeal used in making Atlantic salmon feed are produced
from small pelagic fishes which may contain very high amount of microplastics. Examinations of Atlantic salmon fish feed revealed trace amounts of polyethylene and polyamide (Gomiero et al., 2020). In addition to microplastics associated with fish feed, microplastic particles originating from wearing of high-pressure feeding pipes are released directly into the net pens (Gomiero et al., 2020). Given the documented effects of microplastic particles on fish, the aim of the proposed experiment is to evaluate the possible transfer of microplastic particles from feed to salmon, effects on fish health, as well as the molecular effect of microplastic exposure.
2 Skadevirkninger
The trial is a sub-chronic exposure trial where the doses are not expected to induce severe discomfort or pain, but will be limited to transcriptional and biochemical changes in the animal. Local irritation and possibly inflammation of intestinal tissue may occur.
3 Forventet nytteverdi
A safe upper level of intake for microplastic can be established from the dose-response data. Such a
threshold value can be used for setting maximum acceptable levels of microplastic in feed for Atlantic salmon.
4 Antall dyr og art
A total of 1470 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) will be used.
5 Hvordan etterleve 3R
No adequate replacement can be used since the aim of the study necessitates the use of live animals. A minimum number of animals will be used while at the same time ensuring that enough tissue will be available for analysis. A well suited statistical design ensures validity of the data.
Plastic pollution is a global threat to aquatic animals and is escalating day by day. The annual production of plastics has increased nearly 200 times since 1950 and reached 381 million tons in 2018 (Ritchie and Roser, 2018). Huge quantities of plastics are ending up in the oceans. The oceanic plastic deposition is estimated to be between 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons annually (Jambeck et al., 2015), making up a major part of marine litter. Microplastic is generally referred to as particles with a size smaller than 5 mm (Barnes et al., 2009). Microplastics being a physical contaminant is linked to decreased nutrient intake in marine organisms (Wong et al., 2021). Microplastic not only has the potential to block the digestive tract of fish but can also accumulate in zooplankton (Goswami et al., 2020). Microplastics particles thus can reduce the feeding rate of marine organism and hence alter their growth rate. In aquatic organisms, uptake of microplastics can occur through gills, skin or through ingestion. Farmed Atlantic salmon is fed on a diet enriched with fishmeal and fish oil. Most of the fishmeal used in making Atlantic salmon feed are produced
from small pelagic fishes which may contain very high amount of microplastics. Examinations of Atlantic salmon fish feed revealed trace amounts of polyethylene and polyamide (Gomiero et al., 2020). In addition to microplastics associated with fish feed, microplastic particles originating from wearing of high-pressure feeding pipes are released directly into the net pens (Gomiero et al., 2020). Given the documented effects of microplastic particles on fish, the aim of the proposed experiment is to evaluate the possible transfer of microplastic particles from feed to salmon, effects on fish health, as well as the molecular effect of microplastic exposure.
2 Skadevirkninger
The trial is a sub-chronic exposure trial where the doses are not expected to induce severe discomfort or pain, but will be limited to transcriptional and biochemical changes in the animal. Local irritation and possibly inflammation of intestinal tissue may occur.
3 Forventet nytteverdi
A safe upper level of intake for microplastic can be established from the dose-response data. Such a
threshold value can be used for setting maximum acceptable levels of microplastic in feed for Atlantic salmon.
4 Antall dyr og art
A total of 1470 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) will be used.
5 Hvordan etterleve 3R
No adequate replacement can be used since the aim of the study necessitates the use of live animals. A minimum number of animals will be used while at the same time ensuring that enough tissue will be available for analysis. A well suited statistical design ensures validity of the data.