Accumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the liver of Diplodus sargus sargus in Torre Guaceto Natural Reserve

Studies on the quality of marine environments in Italy have traditionally favoured heavily impacted areas, such as harbours and industrial areas, while there are few investigations aimed at the evaluation of the presence of organic pollutants in the areas of marine reserve. The aim of this study was to determine endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the liver of white seabreams (Diplodus sargus sargus) from the Natural Reserve of Torre Guaceto, Italy. Among EDCs, alkyl-phenols 2,6-DTBP, 2,4-DTBP, OP, and BPA were identified and quantified. The mean concentration of 2,6-DTBP, 2,4-DTBP, OP, and BPA were 2.2, 2.0, 1.2 and 3.6 ng/g of liver, respectively, confirming the occurrence and transfer of these organic pollutants in the food web of marine organisms in marine reserves.