Effects of phthalates on the biology of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (from the Atlantic Coast of El Jadida, Morocco)

Phthalates are found in many consumer products (can coating, shampoos, food containers, etc.). Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is widely used in the medical field.1 DEHP represents about 50% of the 18 esters marketed as phthalates. DEHP and n-dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are the most frequent components found in collected environmental samples.2 There are little scientific data about phthalates in marine animals, including bivalves. These organisms are used to estimate the quality of coastal ecosystems in several biomonitoring programs. In the Moroccan Atlantic area of El Jadida, the bioaccumulation of metals and induction of metallothionein was revealed by several authors.3-5 This research is an important component for our research team, to assess the health of the El Jadida coastal region. Our aim is to estimate the effect of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) on growth, mortality and degree of filling of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.