Occurrence of alkylphenols and bisphenol A in wild mussel samples from the Spanish Atlantic coast and Bay of Biscay

Abstract

Wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were selected as bioindicators of chemical pollution to evaluate the occurrence and spatial distribution of five endocrine disrupting compounds in the Spanish Atlantic coast and Bay of Biscay. A total of 24 samples were collected in May, 2011 and analysed by selective pressurized liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination. Branched alkylphenols (4-tert-octylphenol and nonylphenol) were determined in more than 90% of the analysed samples whereas the presence of linear alkylphenols (4-n-octylphenol and 4-n-nonylphenol) was scarcely detected (<12% of the samples). Wastewater treatment plants discharges and nautical, fishing and shipping activities were considered the primary sources of contamination by alkylphenols. Bisphenol A was found in 16% of the analysed samples associated to punctual industrial discharges. A total endocrine disrupting compound (alkylphenols and bisphenol A) average concentration of 604ngg−1 dw was calculated and nonylphenol was the main contributor in almost all sampling points.