Could biotransport be an important pathway in the transfer of phenol derivatives into the coastal zone and aquatic system of the Southern Baltic?

Endocrine disrupting bisphenol A, 4-tert-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol in gonads of long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis wintering in the southern Baltic

This paper focuses on determining the concentrations of phenol derivatives in the gonads of seabirds and examining the potential factors (age, sex and region) affecting the degree of their bioaccumulation. The study involved assays of bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) in the gonads of long-tailed ducks taken as bycatch from the Southern Baltic region in 2015-2016. Among phenol derivatives, 4-NP was found to reach the highest concentrations in the gonads of long-tailed ducks, and its concentrations were in the range of <0.1-717.5 ng g-1 dw. The concentrations of BPA and 4-t-OP were similar and amounted to <0.4-181.6 ng g-1 dw and <0.1-192.4 ng g-1 dw respectively. The concentration levels of phenol derivatives in the birds' gonads were similar to the levels which had been observed to have negative endocrine effects in other authors studies. This shows that the studied xenoestrogens can interfere with the reproduction and development of birds. Moreover, adult long-tailed ducks had higher concentrations of phenol derivatives compared to immature ones, possibly resulting from long-term bioaccumulation, as well as from diverse pollution in their respective habitats. Particularly in the case of 4-NP, the median concentrations in gonads of adult birds were 2-fold higher than in immature ones. In turn, among adult long-tailed ducks, phenol derivatives were characterized by higher concentrations in males than in females, with almost 3 times and approx. 3.5 times higher median concentrations of BPA and 4-t-OP, respectively. Lower concentrations of phenol derivatives in female gonads may result from the additional elimination of pollutants from their bodies through the transfer of pollutants from mother to egg. The results show the need for further research on phenol derivatives in the gonads of birds, focusing on their impact on the reproductive system and early development.

Comparison of prenatal and postnatal exposure to endocrine active phenol derivatives in mammals - Humans and Baltic grey seals

Bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) are characterised by their endocrine active properties. Their negative effects on the development of the body are doubly important in the reproduction process. The goal was to compare the maternal transfer of phenol derivatives in humans and seals and identify factors that may affect the load of phenol derivatives entering the mother's body, which translates into a risk to the offspring. Phenol derivatives were determined using HPLC-FLD. It was shown that higher concentrations of phenol derivatives in blood or milk were detected in humans (mothers and newborns) compared to concentrations in Baltic seals. This was influenced by external exposure factors, i.e., leaching of phenol derivatives from food packaging or dermal contact. The authors conclude that milk is the main component in the maternal transfer of BPA to the next generation in humans, while blood is a carrier of alkylphenols, particularly 4-tert-octylphenol.

Evaluation of Parabens and Bisphenol A Concentration Levels in Wild Bat Guano Samples

Parabens and bisphenol A are synthetic compounds found in many everyday objects, including bottles, food containers, personal care products, cosmetics and medicines. These substances may penetrate the environment and living organisms, on which they have a negative impact. Till now, numerous studies have described parabens and BPA in humans, but knowledge about terrestrial wild mammals' exposure to these compounds is very limited. Therefore, during this study, the most common concentration levels of BPA and parabens were selected (such as methyl paraben-MeP, ethyl paraben-EtP, propyl paraben-PrP and butyl paraben-BuP) and analyzed in guano samples collected in summer (nursery) colonies of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) using liquid chromatography with the tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method. MeP has been found in all guano samples and its median concentration levels amounted to 39.6 ng/g. Other parabens were present in smaller number of samples (from 5% for BuP to 62.5% for EtP) and in lower concentrations. Median concentration levels of these substances achieved 0.95 ng/g, 1.45 ng/g and 15.56 ng/g for EtP, PrP and BuP, respectively. BPA concentration levels did not exceed the method quantification limit (5 ng/g dw) in any sample. The present study has shown that wild bats are exposed to parabens and BPA, and guano samples are a suitable matrix for studies on wild animal exposure to these substances.

Elimination of endocrine disrupting phenolic compounds via feathers and claws in seabirds moulting in the Baltic and Russian Arctic

This paper investigates the effectiveness of phenol derivatives removal from bird organisms via claws and remiges, and performs a preliminary assessment of the usefulness of these epidermal products for environmental biomonitoring and estimating bird exposure levels. Concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and alkylphenols: 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) were determined in claws and remiges of long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis and razorbills Alca torda, obtained during a by-catch in the winter period (2014-2016) in the Southern Baltic region. For razorbills, the Baltic is a permanent habitat, while long-tailed ducks are migratory and stay in the Southern Baltic only during the non-breeding season. Their remiges are replaced in the Arctic seas of Siberia. The removal of phenol derivatives, depending on the compound and the epidermal product, ranges from 12 % to 34 %. Among these compounds, in both bird species, the highest degree of elimination was observed for 4-NP in remiges (<0.1-656.0 ng^.g^-1 dw) as well as claws (<0.1-338.6 ng^.g^-1 dw). On the other hand, the least removed compound in both the long-tailed duck and the razorbill was 4-t-OP. The removal of phenol derivatives from claws in both bird species was at the same level. However, 4-NP concentrations were found to be statistically significantly higher in razorbill remiges compared to those of the long-tailed duck (p < 0.05). Comparison of concentrations in the remiges of the long-tailed duck and the razorbill, moulted in two different environments with different levels of pollution and distances from sources, indicated that the Baltic Sea is approximately 3 times more polluted with 4-NP than the marine areas of the Russian Arctic. This demonstrates the potential for the use of 4-NP and remiges as indicators of environmental pollution with phenol derivatives.

Alimentary exposure and elimination routes of rare earth elements (REE) in marine mammals from the Baltic Sea and Antarctic coast

Marine mammals found at the top of the trophic pyramid are excellent bioindicators of pollutants in the marine environment, the concentrations of which increase along with the trophic level of the organism. As these animals are usually protected species, their contamination has to be assessed non-invasively by analysing excrement and epidermal structures such as fur or claws. The present study involved testing the excrement and fur of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) from the Southern Baltic coast and the Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonine) from Admiralty Bay, along with fish muscle (food) and the lithological background of both areas, for the presence of rare earth elements (REE). The soil on the Baltic coast is characterized by the predomination of light rare earth elements (LREE): yttrium, lanthanum and cerium (∑REE = 7.86 mg·kg^-1 dw). In the soil and bedrock of Admiralty Bay all REEs were found except for terbium, thulium and lutetium (∑REE = 96.1 mg·kg^-1 dw). The REE levels found in the muscles of Baltic herring (∑REE = 0.057 mg·kg^-1 ww) were lower than those in the muscles of marbled rockcod (∑REE = 0.540 mg·kg^-1 ww). The situation was analogous in the mammals, with the REE concentrations in grey seal fur (∑REE = 0.489 mg·kg^-1 dw) and excrement (∑REE = 0.676 mg·kg^-1 dw) being lower than those found in the fur (∑REE = 10.1 mg·kg^-1 dw) and excrement (∑REE = 83.6 mg·kg^-1 dw) of the elephant seal. The LREE/HREE partition coefficients in the grey seal excrement (3.37) and its fur (4.00), but also in the faeces of the elephant seal (2.63) and its fur (2.65), indicate that in each species the process of elimination from the body occurs in similar proportions.

Distribution of Bisphenol A in Sediment and Suspended Matter and Its Possible Impact on Marine Life in Kaštela Bay, Adriatic Sea, Croatia

Over the last decade, bisphenol A (BPA) has become a chemical of concern in the marine environment. There is little data on BPA levels in the eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatian waters. This study provides concentrations of BPA in marine sediments and suspended matter sampled from the Kaštela Bay (the central part of the Adriatic Sea) for two years. The results obtained show that BPA in sediment samples ranged from 1.05 to 46.31 µg kg−1, while they were higher in the suspended matter, ranging from 1.84 to 81.39 µg kg−1. To demonstrate a possible correlation between BPA concentrations and other parameters in sediment and suspended matter, the granulometric composition and organic matter content were determined. There was no correlation between BPA and investigated sediment characteristics. To assess the possible effects of BPA on marine biota, its possible estrogenic effect was also investigated by calculating estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ, µg kg−1), the maximum value of which, in this study, was 0.0181 µg kg−1 in the sediment samples and 0.0317 µg kg−1 in suspended matter samples. Based on the presented results, it is unlikely that BPA could cause significant endocrine disruption to marine life in the study area.