Common 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 (MEHP p = 0.09; MEP p = 0.22) or age class (i.e., calf/juvenile vs. adult; MEHP p = 0.67; MEP p = 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 (MEHP p = 0.10; MEP p = 0.40) as well as between juveniles and adults (MEHP p = 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.

中文翻译：

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美国佛罗里达州萨拉索塔湾普通宽吻海豚 (Tursiops truncatus) 邻苯二甲酸单 (2-乙基己基) (MEHP) 和邻苯二甲酸单乙酯 (MEP) 浓度的人口统计评估

常见的宽吻海豚（Tursiops truncatus）此前曾暴露于邻苯二甲酸酯。邻苯二甲酸盐和邻苯二甲酸酯通常添加到消费品中以增强所需的性能。随着海洋塑料垃圾数量的增加，这些化学物质很容易从这些产品中渗滤到周围环境中。为了评估暴露的人口变异性，对从美国佛罗里达州萨拉索塔湾自由放养的宽吻海豚采集的尿液样本中的八种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物进行了定量（2010-2019 年；n  = 51）。大约 75% 的海豚个体具有可检测浓度的至少一种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物。最常检测到的代谢物是邻苯二甲酸单（2-乙基己基）酯（MEHP；n  = 28；GM = 4.57 ng/mL；95% CI = 2.37–8.80；KM 平均值 = 7.95；sd = 15.88）和邻苯二甲酸单乙酯（MEP； GM = 4.51 ng/mL；95% CI = 2.77–7.34；ROS 平均值 = 2.24；sd = 5.58）。MEHP 和 MEP 的尿液浓度在性别（MEHP p  = 0.09；MEP p  = 0.22）或年龄组（即犊牛/青少年与成人；MEHP p  = 0.67；MEP p = 0.13）之间没有显着差异 。此外，通过 Peto-Peto 测试确定，对于任何人群，MEHP 或 MEP 检测的可能性没有显着的群体差异。男性和女性之间（MEHP p  = 0.10；MEP p  = 0.40）以及青少年和成人之间（MEHP p  = 0.50；MEP：p = 0.60）代谢物的检测频率相似 。这些发现表明，无论性别和年龄层，暴露风险都存在，需要进一步调查潜在来源和健康影响。