Comparison in phthalates concentration in four species of whales with different feeding behaviour from Mexican Pacific

Over last decades, plastics litter have become a major problem due to its persistence and widespread distribution in the marine environment. Smaller fragments derived through environmental degradation from larger plastic can be easily incorporated in food chain, particularly microplastics (MPs), <5mm particles, that are ingested mistakenly by marine organisms and may cause long-term adverse effect as transfer and accumulate associated toxic chemicals into animal tissues. Phthalate esters (PAEs) are plasticizers that induce endocrine toxicity may have sublethal effects in hormone synthesis and, alter reproduction or other physiological and metabolic functions. The principal objective of the present study is to determine the concentration of PAEs in four whale species with economic, social and environmental importance to mexican community (Balaenoptera physalus, B. musculus, Eschrichtius robustus and Megaptera novaeangliae). To this aim, biopsies has been collectedin the whale feeding and breeding grounds areas: San Ignacio Lagoon (gray whale: 5 males and 5 females), Los Cabos (humpback whale: 10 males) and Gulf of California (fin whale: 17 males). In addition, 8 zooplankton/MPs samples will be taken from two areas of the Gulf of California (Bahía de Kino and San Luis Gonzaga). In respect to PAEs, five diesters and their main monoester metabolites will be detected (DEHP, MEHP, DIOP, MIOP, BBzP, MBzP, DBP, MBP and DiBP, MiBP) using the GC-MS technique. Profiles of these chemical compounds in blubber will serve as plastic tracer of MPs and to assess whether the variation in feeding areas and habitats is reflected in their PAEs levels. Moreover, zooplankton/MPs samples will allow information about the ingestion/exposure to MPs and contaminated prey that affects two feeding grounds of whales in the Gulf of California.