Organic ultraviolet filters in the blubber of two free-ranging deep-diving cetacean species

Abstract

The increasing use of personal care products has led to the widespread of organic UV filters (oUVFs) in marine ecosystems, yet their occurrence and potential impacts on pelagic and deep-sea environments remain unclear. This study assessed oUVFs contamination in the blubber of two deep-diving cetacean species —the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)—off Madeira Island, Eastern North Atlantic. Using microwave-assisted extraction and UHPLC-MS/MS, four of eleven targeted oUVFs were detected in blubber: homosalate, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, octocrylene, and methylene bis-benzotriazole (UV-360). Concentrations reached up to 352.3 ng/g wet weight (w.w.) in pilot whales and 1505 ng/g w.w. in sperm whales. Detection frequencies were higher in pilot whales (60–100 %) than in sperm whales (30–50 %). This study provides the first evidence of UV-360 concentration in cetaceans. These findings suggest that pilot whales’ higher site fidelity in Madeiran waters may increase exposure to oUVF, while sperm whales may accumulate oUVFs through benthopelagic feeding at higher trophic levels. These results highlight the potential for oUVF to disperse into deep marine ecosystems and underscore the importance of monitoring emerging contaminants in oceanic apex predators