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Phthalate burdens of North Atlantic and South Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), and their species-specific mitochondrial effect
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Scientists found chemicals from plastic (called phthalates, used to make plastic soft and flexible) in the blubber of humpback whales from two different oceans, showing that this pollution has spread even to remote marine habitats. In lab tests, these chemicals disrupted the energy-producing machinery inside whale cells, even though they didn't kill the cells outright—raising concern about long-term health effects on whales and, since these same plastic chemicals are found in humans too, a reminder that our plastic waste is showing up in food chains and bodies far beyond where we'd expect.
Global plastic pollution has led to an increased prevalence of toxic plastic additives in the marine environment. Phthalates are a class of plasticising chemicals that leach readily into the environment. Phthalate exposure has been linked to several toxic endpoints in mammals, including cancer and decreased reproductive success; however, there is very little research regarding phthalate exposure and its effect on filter-feeding megafauna and no toxicity information regarding bioenergetics in these species, despite their life history putting them at increased risk. This study sought to compare the blubber phthalate burdens of North Atlantic and South Pacific humpback whale populations that are expected to encounter vastly different levels of plastic pollution in their feeding habitats and migratory corridors. Concentrations of eight phthalates were quantified from biopsied blubber samples, but only di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were consistently detected in both populations, with DEHP being the most abundant. Cytotoxicity and mitochondrial effects on an immortalised humpback whale cell line were evaluated using a resazurin assay and Seahorse XF Cell Mito Stress Test. Whilst no cytotoxicity was observed, dose-specific mitochondrial effects were observed at all DiBP concentrations and some DEHP concentrations. This research contributes valuable environmental exposure and species-specific toxic effect data regarding plastic leaching compounds of emerging concern.
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Researchers measured phthalate concentrations in tissue samples from three whale species in the Mexican Pacific, investigating whether plastics-associated endocrine-disrupting chemicals are accumulating in these large marine mammals. The study adds to growing evidence that plastic-derived chemical pollutants are entering marine mammal food webs.
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Researchers measured levels of 11 phthalates — plastic-softening chemicals that act as hormone disruptors — in the blubber of six marine mammal species along the Norwegian coast, detecting contamination in all species and finding the highest levels in white-beaked dolphins, highlighting ongoing chemical pollution threats to ocean wildlife.
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Researchers investigated whether fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea face toxicological risks from microplastics, by counting microplastics in surface waters and measuring phthalate concentrations in whale samples. The study compared two whale populations in areas of different human pressure to assess how microplastic-associated chemical contamination may affect these filter-feeding marine mammals.
When the small ones tease the largest: Microplastic and phthalate ester occurrence in cetaceans occasionally found in the German North Sea and Baltic Sea
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Seven cetacean species stranded on Germany's North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts were examined for microplastics and phthalate esters, with microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals detected in intestinal and fecal samples across baleen and toothed whale species alike.
First report of phthalate acid esters (plasticizers) in blubber of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) from Península Valdés, Argentina
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Scientists found traces of phthalates—chemicals used to make plastics flexible, often called "plasticizers"—in the blubber of southern right whales off Argentina, marking the first time these pollutants have been detected in this species. Even young calves showed signs of exposure, suggesting the chemicals may pass from mother to baby, which raises concerns about how deeply plastic pollution has infiltrated ocean food chains. Since humans are exposed to many of the same phthalates through food packaging and personal care products, this research is a reminder that these chemicals are widespread in our environment—though more study is needed to understand what health effects, if
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.