Chasing phthalates in tissues of marine turtles from the Mediterranean sea. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Savoca, Dario; Arculeo, Marco; Barreca, Salvatore; Buscemi, Silvestre; Caracappa, Santo; Gentile, Antonino; Persichetti, Maria Flaminia; Pace, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 127(2018)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Caretta caretta -- Dermochelys coriacea -- Microplastics -- Phthalates -- Mediterranean Sea; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Tissues from thirteen specimens of marine turtles, one Dermochelys coriacea and twelve Caretta caretta, found dead along the Sicilian coasts in 2016 were analyzed for the presence of phthalates. Four phthalates (DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP) were found at different significant concentrations in liver and gonads, while only DBP was found in muscle tissues and at a fourfold lower concentration than other phthalates in Dermochelys coriacea . No traces of DEP were detected in C . caretta tissues where DOTP was also revealed. The presence of phthalates in fat tissue in specimens of C . caretta showed a major prevalence of the most lipophilic phthalates DEHP and DOTP. The total concentration of all analyzed phthalates, showed high values in all tissues. Results suggested that for monitoring purposes from live specimens sample collection should be addressed to fat tissue with accurate manipulations. Graphical abstract: Highlights: First assessment of phthalates in sea turtles Different distribution of phthalates in tissues Potential use for biomonitoring of exposure to phthalates sources