We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Phthalate contamination in marine mammals off the Norwegian coast
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Phthalates are used in plastics, found throughout the marine environment and have the potential to cause adverse health effects. In the present study, we quantified blubber concentrations of 11 phthalates in 16 samples from stranded and/or free-living marine mammals from the Norwegian coast: the killer whale (Orcinus orca), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). Five compounds were detected across all samples: benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP; in 50 % of samples), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP; 33 %), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP; 33 %), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP; 19 %), and dioctyl phthalate (DOP; 13 %). Overall, the most contaminated individual was the white-beaked dolphin, whilst the lowest concentrations were measured in the killer whale, sperm whale and long-finned pilot whale. We found no phthalates in the neonate killer whale. The present study is important for future monitoring and management of these toxic compounds.
More Papers Like This
Concentrations of bisphenols and phthalate esters in the muscle of Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured concentrations of bisphenols and phthalates — plastic-associated chemicals that disrupt hormones — in the muscle tissue of 30 Mediterranean striped dolphins stranded over nearly three decades. The study found multiple compounds present in nearly all animals, with some shifting in concentration over time, reflecting changes in industrial plastic production and use.
Sentinels of synthetics – a comparison of phthalate exposure between common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and human reference populations
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida to reference levels in human populations, finding that coastal plastic pollution and wastewater runoff are likely drivers of elevated phthalate exposure in marine mammals. The study used dolphins as sentinel species to assess the reach of synthetic chemical contamination from plastics into coastal marine food webs.
Variations in phtalates concentration present in fin whales ("Balaenoptera physalus"), gray whales ("Eschrichtius robustus") and humpback whales ("Megaptera novaeangliae") in Mexican Pacific
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Temporal and Spatial Evaluation of Mono(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP) Detection in Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected the phthalate metabolite MEHP in urine samples from wild bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay across multiple years and locations, finding temporal and spatial variation in exposure levels and confirming ongoing phthalate contamination in marine mammal populations.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.