As PI of several university- and NIH-funded projects, we have characterized phthalate exposure among free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in an urban estuary (Sarasota Bay, FL), demonstrating prevalent phthalate exposure, as well as measured concentrations exceeding human reference populations.  While the sources of phthalate exposure for these dolphins are currently unknown, the types of metabolites most commonly detected suggest a plastic origin.  In fact, we have detected ingested plastics in gastric fluid collected from Sarasota Bay bottlenose dolphins (manuscript in review).  We are currently working on projects to investigate prey fish as a source of microplastic and phthalate exposure for dolphins and coastal human populations that rely on seafood as a primary source of protein.

My early research focused on using traditional epidemiological methods to investigate the distribution and determinants of skin disease in bottlenose dolphins.  Using longitudinal data from dolphins in Sarasota Bay, FL, I statistically modeled the progression of disease, evaluated environmental correlates with skin disease, and compared the magnitude of skin disease across populations.  Bottlenose dolphins are widely distributed, apex predators that are susceptible to environmental contaminant exposure, particularly compounds that bioaccumulate with increasing trophic levels.  Their geographic range includes heavily developed and populated coastal areas. This proximity to human populations can result in both acute and chronic exposures to anthropogenic environmental pollutants (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers).  Some of my later research involved the derivation of reference intervals (RI) for health parameters (e.g., body condition, adrenal function, immune function), using long-term health data from bottlenose dolphins.  In recent epidemiological studies, we have used these RIs to identify bottlenose dolphin health impacts from short-term and long-term environmental stressors, including impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, our country’s worst environmental disaster on record.

For complete publication record, please see:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/leslie.hart.1/bibliography/public/