First determination of high levels of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in dolphins from Southern European waters

B Sala; J Giménez; R de Stephanis; D Barceló; E Eljarrat

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.027

First determination of high levels of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in dolphins from Southern European waters

Environ Res. 2019 May:172:289-295. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.027. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Authors

B Sala¹, J Giménez², R de Stephanis³, D Barceló⁴, E Eljarrat⁵

Affiliations

¹ Water, Environment and Food Chemistry, Dep. of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
² Institute of Marine Science (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 27-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
³ Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans (CIRCE), Cabeza de Manzaneda 3, Algeciras-Pelayo, 11390 Cádiz, Spain.
⁴ Water, Environment and Food Chemistry, Dep. of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.
⁵ Water, Environment and Food Chemistry, Dep. of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: eeeqam@cid.csic.es.

PMID: 30822562
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.027

Abstract

This study evaluates for the first time organophosphorus flame retardant (OPFR) occurrence in the Alboran Sea delphinids (Spain). OPFRs were detected in all the individuals with concentration levels up to 24.7 µg/g lw. Twelve out of sixteen tested analytes were detected, being TBOEP which presented the highest detection frequency, and IDPP which presented the highest levels of concentration. OPFR distribution in different tissues (blubber, brain, kidney, muscle and liver) was evaluated. The pattern distribution showed the highest contribution for blubber (mean value of 68%) and the lowest contribution for liver (mean value of 2%). Seven OPFRs were detected in brain samples showing their capacity to surpass the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain. Moreover, high affinity for the brain tissue was observed. This is extremely important due to the neurotoxic effects of several compounds such as TCEP and TNBP. OPFR levels were compared with previously published PBDE concentrations, and no significant differences were observed. Taking into account the lower use and lower bioaccumulation and biomagnification capacities of OPFRs, this could indicate an additional OPFR source of pollution in addition to their use as FRs.

Keywords: Brain; Plastic debris; Tissue distribution; Tri-n-butyl phosphate; Tris(chloroethyl) phosphate.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Dolphins*
Flame Retardants* / analysis
Oceans and Seas
Organophosphorus Compounds / analysis
Plasticizers* / analysis
Spain
Tissue Distribution

Substances

Flame Retardants
Organophosphorus Compounds
Plasticizers