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

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 604 ng g − 1 dw was calculated and nonylphenol was the main contributor in almost all sampling points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]