The Threat of Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Coastal and Marine Environments: Ecotoxicological Assays Using Tropical Species from Different Trophic Levels

Fernanda Silva dos Santos, Agatha Miralha, Amanda C. S. Coração, Antonio J. S. Rodrigues, Gabriel Kauai, Geovanna T. Borsato, Jéssica S. Costa, Julia de Morais Farias, Kettollen Brenda Ribeiro Pereira, Odilon Feuvrier, Rodrigo A. F. Silva, Nathália Rodrigues and Raquel A. F. Neves ()
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Fernanda Silva dos Santos: Research Group of Experimental and Applied Aquatic Ecology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Agatha Miralha: Research Group of Experimental and Applied Aquatic Ecology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Amanda C. S. Coração: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Antonio J. S. Rodrigues: Research Group of Experimental and Applied Aquatic Ecology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Gabriel Kauai: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Geovanna T. Borsato: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Jéssica S. Costa: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Julia de Morais Farias: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Kettollen Brenda Ribeiro Pereira: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Odilon Feuvrier: Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 15 Parvis René Descartes, 69342 Lyon, France
Rodrigo A. F. Silva: Graduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Institute of Biosciences (IBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Nathália Rodrigues: Research Group of Experimental and Applied Aquatic Ecology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Raquel A. F. Neves: Research Group of Experimental and Applied Aquatic Ecology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-27

Abstract: Plastic and plasticizer pollution has been a concern worldwide over the past decade. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most produced plasticizer and has been detected in coastal and marine ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of acute exposure (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) to DEHP concentrations (0.045–6.00 mg·L −1 ) on marine and estuarine tropical species from distinct trophic levels. The lethality and sublethal responses were assessed on two microorganisms and three invertebrates, independently. The microorganisms—the microalga Tetraselmis sp. and the microbial consortium MP001—showed high tolerance and a density-rising tendency during exposure to DEHP. Among the invertebrates, the mortality of the brine shrimp Artemia sp. and the amphipod Apohyale media rose with increasing DEHP concentrations. However, A. media was more sensitive across time since its lethality reached 100% in almost all DEHP concentrations from 72 h. The dark false mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata was the most tolerant invertebrate: no significant lethality (≤20%) was observed exclusively from 72 h of exposure to DEHP at intermediate–high concentrations. Artemia sp. and M. leucophaeata presented sublethal responses that seem to be good endpoints for ecotoxicological assays. These results reinforce evidence of DEHP contamination risks for tropical coastal ecosystems, as well as suggest candidate species for its biodegradation.

Keywords: aquatic systems; biodegradation; ecotoxicology; lethality; phthalates; plasticizers; sublethality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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