塑料添加剂,如邻苯二甲酸酯,是无处不在的污染物,可能对海洋生物和整个生态系统的健康产生有害影响。通过监测关键指标物种,可获得有关海洋生态系统状况和复原力的宝贵信息,比如鲸目动物。在这项研究中,脂肪酸谱和邻苯二甲酸盐在来自两个白鲸物种(短鳍飞行员鲸-Globicephalamacrorhynchus,n=45;常见的宽吻海豚-Tursiopstruncatus,n=39)在马德拉岛(东北大西洋)附近。这项调查旨在探讨营养生态位之间的关系(表皮与mesopelagic),污染水平,以及不同生态和生物群体中个体的健康状况(由物种定义,居住模式和性别)。对所选膳食脂肪酸的多变量分析表明,这两个物种之间存在明显的生态位隔离。邻苯二甲酸二正丁酯(DBP),邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP),和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)是研究的七种邻苯二甲酸酯中最普遍的,DEHP在宽吻海豚中的浓度最高(4697.34±113.45ng/g)。与领航鲸(平均∑PAEs:229.98±158.86ng/g)相比,宽吻海豚中的邻苯二甲酸盐浓度更高(平均∑PAEs:947.56±1558.34)。在宽吻海豚中,DEHP是主要的邻苯二甲酸盐,而在领航鲸中,DEP和DBP更为普遍。健康标记表明,领航鲸的生理条件可能比宽吻海豚差,尽管这两个物种之间的代谢差异很高。邻苯二甲酸酯水平在生态或生物基团之间没有差异,季节,或者几年。这项研究是第一个评估来自偏远海洋岛屿系统的自由放养鲸目动物中塑料添加剂污染程度的研究,强调生态位与污染物暴露之间的复杂关系。监测这些化学物质及其潜在影响对于评估野生种群健康至关重要,告知保护策略,保护关键物种和栖息地。
Plastic additives, such as phthalates, are ubiquitous contaminants that can have detrimental impacts on marine organisms and overall ecosystems\' health. Valuable information about the status and resilience of marine ecosystems can be obtained through the monitoring of key indicator species, such as cetaceans. In this study, fatty acid profiles and phthalates were examined in blubber biopsies of free-ranging individuals from two delphinid species (short-finned pilot whale - Globicephala macrorhynchus, n = 45; common bottlenose dolphin - Tursiops truncatus, n = 39) off Madeira Island (NE Atlantic). This investigation aimed to explore the relations between trophic niches (epipelagic vs. mesopelagic), contamination levels, and the health status of individuals within different ecological and biological groups (defined by species, residency patterns and sex). Multivariate analysis of selected dietary fatty acids revealed a clear niche segregation between the two species. Di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most prevalent among the seven studied phthalates, with the highest concentration reached by DEHP in a bottlenose dolphin (4697.34 ± 113.45 ng/g). Phthalates esters (PAEs) concentration were higher in bottlenose dolphins (Mean ∑ PAEs: 947.56 ± 1558.34 ng/g) compared to pilot whales (Mean ∑ PAEs: 229.98 ± 158.86 ng/g). In bottlenose dolphins, DEHP was the predominant phthalate, whereas in pilot whales, DEP and DBP were more prevalent. Health markers suggested pilot whales might suffer from poorer physiological conditions than bottlenose dolphins, although high metabolic differences were seen between the two species. Phthalate levels showed no differences by ecological or biological groups, seasons, or years. This study is the first to assess the extent of plastic additive contamination in free-ranging cetaceans from a remote oceanic island system, underscoring the intricate relationship between ecological niches and contaminant exposure. Monitoring these chemicals and their potential impacts is vital to assess wild population health, inform conservation strategies, and protect critical species and habitats.