标题：Demographic Assessment of Mono(2‐ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP) and Monoethyl Phthalate (MEP) Concentrations in Common Bottlenose Dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) From Sarasota Bay, FL, USA
摘要：AbstractCommon bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have previously demonstrated exposure to phthalate esters. Phthalates and phthalate esters are commonly added to consumer goods to enhance desirable properties. As the amount of plastic marine debris increases, these chemicals can easily leach from these products into the surrounding environment. To evaluate demographic variability in exposure, eight phthalate metabolites were quantified in urine samples collected from free‐ranging bottlenose dolphins sampled in Sarasota Bay, FL, USA (2010–2019;n = 51). Approximately 75% of individual dolphins had detectable concentrations of at least one phthalate metabolite. The most frequently detected metabolites were mono(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP;n = 28; GM = 4.57 ng/mL; 95% CI = 2.37–8.80; KM mean = 7.95; s.d. = 15.88) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP; GM = 4.51 ng/mL; 95% CI = 2.77–7.34; ROS mean = 2.24; s.d. = 5.58). Urinary concentrations of MEHP and MEP were not significantly different between sex (MEHPp = 0.09; MEPp = 0.22) or age class (i.e., calf/juvenile vs. adult; MEHPp = 0.67; MEPp = 0.13). Additionally, there were no significant group differences in the likelihood of MEHP or MEP detection for any demographic as determined by a Peto‐Peto test. Frequency of detection was similar for both metabolites between males and females (MEHPp = 0.10; MEPp = 0.40) as well as between juveniles and adults (MEHPp = 0.50; MEP:p = 0.60). These findings suggest ubiquitous exposure risk for both sexes and age classes, warranting further investigation into potential sources and health implications.Plain Language SummaryPrevious studies have detected exposure to phthalates among bottlenose dolphins, demonstrating environmental contamination. Using archived samples from Sarasota Bay bottlenose dolphins (2010–2019), this study evaluated demographic differences in the magnitude and frequency of detection of phthalate metabolites. Unlike exposure patterns for other common environmental contaminants (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs]) where adult male dolphins and first‐born calves have differentially higher concentrations, evidence from this study suggests equivalent phthalate exposure risk across sexes and age classes. Given phthalate‐associated health impacts observed in human studies and the ubiquity of phthalate use, additional research is warranted to better understand sources of exposure and potential implications for bottlenose dolphin health.Key PointsDetectable phthalate metabolites found in 75% of bottlenose dolphin urine samplesNo differences in magnitude or frequency of detectable mono(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate/monoethyl phthalate concentrations among demographicsPotential hazard of phthalate exposure is not specific to any sex or age class
