First Determination of UV Filters in Marine Mammals. Octocrylene Levels in Franciscana Dolphins

Most current bioexposure assessments for UV filters focus on contaminants concentrations in fish from river and lake. To date there is not information available on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals. This is the first study to investigate the presence of sunscreen agents in tissue liver of Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), a species under special measures for conservation. Fifty six liver tissue samples were taken from dead individuals accidentally caught or found stranded along the Brazilian coastal area (six states). The extensively used octocrylene, 2-ethylhexy1-2-cyano-3,3-dipheny1-2-propenoate, (OCT) was frequently found in the samples investigated (21 out of 56) at concentrations in the range 89-782 ng.g(-1) lipid weight. Sao Paulo was found to be the most polluted area (70% frequency of detection). Nevertheless, the highest concentration was observed in the dolphins from Rio Grande do Sul (42% frequency of detection within that area). These findings constitute the first data reported on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals worldwide.