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Chasing phthalates in tissues of marine turtles from the Mediterranean sea.
Summary
Phthalate plasticizers (DEP, DBP, BBP, DEHP) were detected in the liver and gonads of thirteen Mediterranean sea turtles, including both loggerhead and leatherback species. The findings highlight the bioaccumulation of plastic-associated chemical contaminants in marine reptiles.
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.