First detection of seven phthalate esters (PAEs) as plastic tracers in superficial neustonic/planktonic samples and cetacean blubber

摘要: Ingestion of plastics and microplastics by marine organisms may have physical toxicological noxious effects creating a serious threat to species. There is need develop methods evaluate the plastic exposure in free-ranging wildlife particularly related microplastic ingestion. To this aim, seven phthalate esters (PAEs) were analysed, as tracers, neustonic/planktonic samples skin biopsy four cetacean species from North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Among all phthalates, highest frequency detection was obtained DEHP (78.9%), followed descending order MBzP (57.9%), MEHP BBzP (both 52.6%), DIOIP (47.4%) MBP DNHP 42.1%). All 19 superficial tows analysed presented debris, confirming widespread distribution on seawater surface The abundance smallest items (<0.5 mm) found significantly correlated with MEHP, BBzP, while 0.5–1 mm 2.5–5 MBP, respectively. Regarding PAEs, detected (MEHP, MBzP, MBP), appreciable levels these compounds present results represent step forward application new non-invasive analytical method PAEs tracers exposure/ingestion wildlife.