Exploring the use of gull eggs as bioindicators of phthalate esters exposure

Plastic pollution and associated plasticizers are a global threat affecting aquatic environments. Phthalates are among the most used plasticizers that can impact on fauna due to their endocrine-disrupting properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of eggs of Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii) and yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) as biomonitors of phthalate exposure. Sixteen phthalates were studied and the extraction and purification steps were optimized using various sorbents and clean-up processes to efficiently recover these contaminants in gull eggs. Analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) using multiple reaction monitoring to obtain high selectivity and sensitivity. Quality control parameters and a comprehensive analysis of blank contribution are provided. The best performance was obtained with Oasis PRiME HLB cartridges with recoveries from 61 to 138% for most of the compounds. Pooled gull-egg samples from seven breeding colonies collected over the period 2016-2021 within the Iberian Peninsula revealed the presence of dibutoxyethyl phthalate (DBEP), hexyl 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (HEHP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) at mean concentrations ranging from 2.27 to 1330 ng/g ww in Audouin's gull and from 2.74 to 487 ng/g ww in yellow-legged gull (DBP not detected). The absence of other phthalates is likely attributable to their metabolism and excretion by female adults. Overall, this study provides an accurate method to analyse phthalates in gull eggs and supports their use as bioindicators of phthalate contamination.