First detection of seven phthalate esters (PAEs) as plastic tracers in superficial neustonic/planktonic samples and cetacean blubber

Abstract

Ingestion of plastics and microplastics by marine organisms may have physical and toxicological noxious effects creating a serious threat to marine species. There is a need to develop methods to evaluate the plastic exposure in free-ranging marine wildlife particularly related to microplastic ingestion. To this aim, seven phthalate esters (PAEs) were analysed, as plastic tracers, in neustonic/planktonic samples and skin biopsy samples of four cetacean species from the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Among all phthalates, the highest frequency of detection was obtained from DEHP (78.9%), followed in descending order by MBzP (57.9%), MEHP and BBzP (both 52.6%), DIOIP (47.4%) and MBP and DNHP (both 42.1%). All 19 superficial tows analysed presented microplastic debris, confirming the widespread distribution of microplastics on the seawater surface in the Mediterranean Sea. The abundance of the smallest items (<0.5 mm) found in the samples was significantly correlated with MEHP, MBzP and BBzP, while the abundance of 0.5-1 mm and 2.5-5 mm items were related to BBzP and MBP, respectively. Regarding the PAEs, detected in the neustonic/planktonic samples correlated with microplastics (MEHP, MBzP, BBzP and MBP), appreciable levels of these compounds were found in all the four cetacean species. The present results represent a step forward in the application of a new non-invasive analytical method to evaluate PAEs as tracers of plastic exposure/ingestion in marine wildlife

Plastic Debris Occurrence, Convergence Areas and Fin Whales Feeding Ground in the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Pelagos Sanctuary: A Modeling Approach

“…In addition, seven phthalate esters (plastic additives) were detected in microplastic/neustonic samples and in skin biopsies of several cetacean species collected in the same protected areas (Baini et al, 2017), confirming the occurrence of associated plastic chemicals and their related risk to the inhabiting fauna.…”

First determination of high levels of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in dolphins from Southern European waters

“…Similarly, phthalate concentrations in birds have been correlated with numbers of pieces of plastic ingested by birds (Hardesty et al, 2015). In another study, a significant correlation has been demonstrated among different phthalate esters present in samples taken in the same area of microplastics, plankton and bubbler samples of different cetacean species (Baini et al, 2017).…”

Urinary Phthalate Metabolites in Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) From Sarasota Bay, FL, USA

“…It is not particularly surprising to find MEP and MEHP in dolphins, since both of these compounds have been detected in other aquatic wildlife, such as blue mussel tissue ( Mytilus edulis , Blair et al, ), muscle of Dungeness crab ( Metacarcinus magister , Blair et al, ), and muscle, brain, liver, and bile from multiple species of fish (Fourgous et al, ; Ros et al, , ; Valton et al, ). MEHP has been detected in blubber of fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus , Fossi et al, , ), muscle of basking sharks ( Cetorhinus maximus , Fossi et al, ), blubber and skin from a bottlenose dolphin (Baini et al, ), blubber and skin from a Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus , Baini et al, ), blubber and skin from striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba , Baini et al, ), and urine from American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis , Brock et al, ). Sarasota Bay dolphins revealed individual variability in the type and amount of phthalate exposure.…”

“…Previous studies of phthalate metabolites in the blubber of marine mammals inhabiting different regions of the Mediterranean Sea have provided evidence that phthalate metabolites, specifically MEHP, may be indicative of environmental microplastic contamination (Baini et al, ; Fossi et al, , ). If true, this suggests that Sarasota Bay and surrounding areas could be polluted with plastic due to contaminated runoff or effluents; however, to our knowledge, systematic studies of microplastic contamination have not been reported for Sarasota Bay.…”

“…Phthalate metabolites have been previously studied in a variety of marine and aquatic organisms including plankton, molluscs, and crustaceans (Blair et al, 2009), multiple fish species (Fourgous et al, 2016;Ros et al, 2015Ros et al, , 2016Valton et al, 2014), alligators (Brock et al, 2016), a basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus, Fossi et al, 2014), and several marine mammal species inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea (Fossi et al, 2012(Fossi et al, , 2014Baini et al, 2017). In the bulk of these investigations, blubber, organ, and muscle tissues were used to quantify concentrations in organisms, while bile has been analyzed in fish species (Ros et al, 2015;Valton et al, 2014).…”