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Detection of microplastics and phthalic acid esters in sea urchins from Sardinia (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2022 17 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Clarissa Raguso, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Clarissa Raguso, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Clarissa Raguso, Alessandro Becchi, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Alessandro Becchi, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Clarissa Raguso, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Daniele Grech, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Alessandro Becchi, Alessandro Becchi, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Clarissa Raguso, Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Alessandro Becchi, Alessandro Becchi, Ivan Guala, Alessandro Becchi, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Alessandro Becchi, Alessandro Becchi, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Paolo Giuseppe Ubaldi, Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Paolo Giuseppe Ubaldi, Clarissa Raguso, Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Clarissa Raguso, Clarissa Raguso, Clarissa Raguso, Marina Lasagni Alessandro Becchi, Alessandro Becchi, Alessandro Becchi, Alessandro Becchi, Ivan Guala, Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Alessandro Becchi, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni Francesco Saliu, Daniele Grech, Francesco Saliu, Francesco Saliu, Marina Lasagni Marina Lasagni

Summary

Wild sea urchins from Sardinia in the western Mediterranean were found to contain microplastics in 9 of 22 specimens analyzed, with up to 4 particles per individual in the digestive tract. Phthalic acid esters were also detected in the gonads of 20 specimens, with an average concentration of 32 nanograms per gram.

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in wild purple sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) of Sardinia (Italy, Western Mediterranean Sea) was surveyed. Specifically, MPs were analyzed in the digestive tract by μFTIR and PAEs in the gonads by SPME-LC-MS/MS. 9 out of 22 specimens resulted contaminated with MPs and 20 displayed levels of PAEs over the quantification limit. A total of 23 MPs were detected with a maximum concentration of 4 microplastics/individual in the commercially undersized specimens. PAEs displayed average concentration of 32 ng/g, σ = 5.3 with maximum value of 77 ng/g. The most abundant congeners were DEHP (17 ng/g, σ = 4.3) and DBP (10 ng/g, σ = 2.5). Statistical analysis showed correlation between DEHP and fiber concentrations and among the concentration of MEP, DEP, DBP and BBzP. Due to local use of sea urchin gonads as gourmet delicacy, the potential human exposition to MPs and PAEs by consumption is also discussed.

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