Microplastics, bisphenols, phthalates and pesticides in odontocete species in the Macaronesian Region (Eastern North Atlantic)

• Published in: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Main Authors: Montoto Martínez, Tania, De La Fuente Marquez, Jesus, Puig Lozano, Raquel Patricia, Marques, Nuno, Arbelo Hernández, Manuel Antonio, Hernández Brito, José Joaquín, Fernández Rodríguez, Antonio Jesús, Gelado Caballero, María Dolores
• Other Authors: NO DATA, 57216728306, 56587483900, 57201090279, 57329371800, 6603561403, 35614212100, 56673009900, 6506058559, BU-BAS
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: 3105 Peces y fauna silvestre; 330811 Control de la contaminación del agua; 331210 Plásticos; Macaronesia; MicroRaman; Microplastics; Odontocete; Organic persistent contaminants (OPCs); Protocol; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10553/112693; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113105

The gastrointestinal contents of twelve individuals from six odontocete species that stranded between 2018 and 2019 in the Macaronesian Region (Eastern North Atlantic) were examined for the presence of marine debris. In addition, concentrations of eleven organic persistent contaminants (nonylphenols, bisphenols, phthalates and pesticides) were analysed in muscle samples by liquid chromatography. No particles larger than 5 mm were found, except for two plastic labels that were found on the same dolphin. On the contrary, all animals contained microplastics of diverse sizes, most of them being fibres (98.06%, n = 708). The predominant detected pollutants were bisphenols (4-984 ng/g) and DEHP (102-1533 ng/g). Also, except for two individuals, all animals had pesticide levels in their tissues. This work has allowed the establishment of a protocol for the study of microplastic ingestion in cetaceans, and tests the potential of microRaman to improve the understanding of microplastic alteration processes. 1,548 5,553 Q1 Q1 SCIE