Analysis and occurrence of some phenol endocrine disruptors in two marine sites of the northern coast of Sicily (Italy)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 120; no. 1-2; pp. 68 - 74
• Main Authors: Errico, Sonia, Nicolucci, Carla, Migliaccio, Marina, Micale, Valeria, Mita, Damiano G., Diano, Nadia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.07.2017
• Subjects: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds; Endocrine disruptors; Endocrine Disruptors - analysis; Fish organs; HPLC-FLD; Northern Sicilian coast; Phenol - analysis; Phenols; Red mullet; Sicily; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Endocrine disruptors; Red mullet; Fish organs; Northern Sicilian coast; HPLC-FLD
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.04.061

This study reports the occurrence of some endocrine disrupting chemicals in red mullet samples and sediments collected in two representative sites of the northern Sicilian coast (Italy). For this purpose, an improved method, using solid extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and 4-t-octylphenol (4-t-OP) in fish tissues and sediments, has been developed and validated. Method performance was demonstrated over the concentration range 0.1–200ng/mL, with detection limits from 0.06 to 0.1ng/mL. Recoveries ranged from 83.4% to 102.6%, with relative standard deviations of 7.7–14.0% for the entire procedure. Results showed that BPA, 4-t-OP and 4-NP were detected in all fish samples and sediments from two sampling sites, indicating that these chemicals have contaminated Mediterranean aquatic ecosystem and have accumulated in fish. The study provided more comprehensive fundamental data for risk assessment and contamination control of phenolic EDCs in aquatic environment. •A HPLC-FLD method for bisphenol A, 4-nonylphenol, 4-t-octylphenol levels in fish tissues is proposed.•The method was in-house validated, and is sensitive, accurate and precise.•Liver and muscle of red mullets from two sites along the northern coast of Sicily have been analyzed.•BPA, 4-t-OP and 4-NP were detected in all fish samples at two sampling sites.•These chemicals have contaminated Mediterranean aquatic ecosystem and have accumulated in fish.