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van Oordt F, Cuba A, Choy ES, Elliott JE, Elliott KH. Amino acid-specific isotopes reveal changing five-dimensional niche segregation in Pacific seabirds over 50 years. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7899. [PMID: 38570566 PMCID: PMC10991557 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57339-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hutchison's niche theory suggests that coexisting competing species occupy non-overlapping hypervolumes, which are theoretical spaces encompassing more than three dimensions, within an n-dimensional space. The analysis of multiple stable isotopes can be used to test these ideas where each isotope can be considered a dimension of niche space. These hypervolumes may change over time in response to variation in behaviour or habitat, within or among species, consequently changing the niche space itself. Here, we use isotopic values of carbon and nitrogen of ten amino acids, as well as sulphur isotopic values, to produce multi-isotope models to examine niche segregation among an assemblage of five coexisting seabird species (ancient murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus, double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus, Leach's storm-petrel Oceanodrama leucorhoa, rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata, pelagic cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus) that inhabit coastal British Columbia. When only one or two isotope dimensions were considered, the five species overlapped considerably, but segregation increased in more dimensions, but often in complex ways. Thus, each of the five species occupied their own isotopic hypervolume (niche), but that became apparent only when factoring the increased information from sulphur and amino acid specific isotope values, rather than just relying on proxies of δ15N and δ13C alone. For cormorants, there was reduction of niche size for both species consistent with a decline in their dominant prey, Pacific herring Clupea pallasii, from 1970 to 2006. Consistent with niche theory, cormorant species showed segregation across time, with the double-crested demonstrating a marked change in diet in response to prey shifts in a higher dimensional space. In brief, incorporating multiple isotopes (sulfur, PC1 of δ15N [baselines], PC2 of δ15N [trophic position], PC1 and PC2 of δ13C) metrics allowed us to infer changes and differences in food web topology that were not apparent from classic carbon-nitrogen biplots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis van Oordt
- Department of Natural Resources Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada.
| | | | - Emily S Choy
- Biology Department, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, Canada
| | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resources Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
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2
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Lasters R, Groffen T, Eens M, Bervoets L. Dynamic spatiotemporal changes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and eggs of private gardens at different distances from a fluorochemical plant. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123613. [PMID: 38423274 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Homegrown food serves as an important human exposure source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), yet little is known about their spatiotemporal distribution within and among private gardens. This knowledge is essential for more accurate site-specific risk assessment, identification of new sources and evaluating the effectiveness of regulations. The present study evaluated spatiotemporal changes of legacy and emerging PFAS in surface soil from vegetable gardens (N = 78) and chicken enclosures (N = 102), as well as in homegrown eggs (N = 134) of private gardens, across the Province of Antwerp (Belgium). Hereby, the potential influence of the wind orientation and distance towards a major fluorochemical plant was examined. The ∑short-chain PFAS and precursor concentrations were higher in vegetable garden soil (8.68 ng/g dry weight (dw)) compared to chicken enclosure soil (4.43 ng/g dw) and homegrown eggs (0.77 ng/g wet weight (ww)), while long-chain sulfonates and C11-14 carboxylates showed the opposite trend. Short-term (2018/2019-2022) changes were mostly absent in vegetable garden soil, while changes in chicken enclosure soils oriented S-SW nearby (<4 km) the fluorochemical plant were characterized by a local, high-concentration plume. Moreover, soil from chicken enclosures oriented SE and remotely from the plant site was characterized by a widespread, diffuse but relatively low-concentration plume. Long-term data (2010-2022) suggest that phaseout and regulatory measures have been effective, as PFOS concentrations nearby the fluorochemical plant in soil and eggs have declined from 25.8 to 2.86 ng/g dw and from 528 to 39.4 ng/g ww, respectively. However, PFOS and PFOA concentrations have remained largely stable within this timeframe in gardens remotely from the plant site, warranting further rapid regulation and remediation measures. Future monitoring efforts are needed to allow long-term comparison for multiple PFAS and better distinction from potential confounding variables, such as variable emission outputs and variability in wind patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lasters
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Thimo Groffen
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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3
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King MD, Su G, Crump D, Farhat A, Marlatt V, Lee SL, Williams TD, Elliott JE. Contaminant biomonitoring augmented with a qPCR array indicates hepatic mRNA gene expression effects in wild-collected seabird embryos. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166784. [PMID: 37666345 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Birds can bioaccumulate persistent contaminants, and maternal transfer to eggs may expose embryos to concentrations sufficient to cause adverse effects during sensitive early-life stages. However, using tissue residue concentrations alone to infer whether contaminant effects are occurring suffers from uncertainty, and efficient, sensitive biomarkers remain limited in wildlife. We studied relationships between whole embryo contaminant concentrations (total mercury, organochlorine pesticides, perfluoroalkyl substances, polychlorinated biphenyls, and halogenated flame retardants) together with mRNA expression in embryonic liver tissue from a Pacific Ocean seabird, the rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). Fresh eggs were collected, incubated under controlled conditions, and from the pre-hatch embryo, hepatic RNA was extracted for qPCR array analysis to measure gene expression (2-∆Cq), while the remaining embryo was analyzed for contaminant residues. Contaminant and gene expression data were assessed with a combination of multivariate approaches and linear models. Results indicated correlations between embryonic total mercury and several genes such as sepp1, which encodes selenoprotein P. Correlation between the biotransformation gene cyp1a4 and the C7 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid PFHpA was also evident. This study demonstrates that egg collection from free-living populations for contaminant biomonitoring programs can relate chemical residues to in ovo mRNA gene expression effects in embryo hepatic tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Geoffrey Su
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Doug Crump
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Amani Farhat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Vicki Marlatt
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Sandi L Lee
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
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4
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Sonnenberg NK, Ojewole AE, Ojewole CO, Lucky OP, Kusi J. Trends in Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Concentrations in Teenagers and Adults, 1999-2018 NHANES. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6984. [PMID: 37947542 PMCID: PMC10648322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20216984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Some types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been banned over the last two decades, but millions of Americans continue to have exposure to the compounds through drinking water and consumer products. Therefore, understanding the changes in serum PFAS concentrations after their limited use is necessary to protect public health. In this study, we evaluated trends of serum PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFDA, and PFNA) to determine their distribution among the United States general population. We analyzed serum concentrations of PFAS measured from random subsamples of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants. The study results demonstrated that demographic factors such as race/ethnicity, age, and sex may influence the levels of serum PFAS over time. Adults, males, Asians, Non-Hispanic Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites had high risks of exposure to the selected PFAS. Overall, serum PFAS levels declined continuously in the studied population from 1999 to 2018. Among the studied population, PFOS and PFDA were the most and least prevalent PFAS in blood serum, respectively. Serum levels of PFDA, PFOA, and PFHxS showed upward trends in at least one racial/ethnic group after 2016, which underscores the need for continuous biomonitoring of PFAS levels in humans and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Kusi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 44 Circle Drive, Campus Box 1099, Edwardsville, IL 62026, USA; (N.K.S.); (A.E.O.); (C.O.O.); (O.P.L.)
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5
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Haque F, Soerensen AL, Sköld M, Awad R, Spaan KM, Lauria MZ, Plassmann MM, Benskin JP. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in white-tailed sea eagle eggs from Sweden: temporal trends (1969-2021), spatial variations, fluorine mass balance, and suspect screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1549-1563. [PMID: 37622471 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00141e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Temporal and spatial trends of 15 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs (Haliaeetus albicilla) from two inland and two coastal regions of Sweden between 1969 and 2021. PFAS concentrations generally increased from ∼1969 to ∼1990s-2010 (depending on target and site) and thereafter plateaued or declined, with perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) declining faster than most perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). The net result was a shift in the PFAS profile from PFOS-dominant in 1969-2010 to an increased prevalence of PFCAs over the last decade. Further, during the entire period higher PFAS concentrations were generally observed in coastal populations, possibly due to differences in diet and/or proximity to more densely populated areas. Fluorine mass balance determination in pooled samples from three of the regions (2019-2021) indicated that target PFAS accounted for the vast majority (i.e. 81-100%) of extractable organic fluorine (EOF). Nevertheless, high resolution mass-spectrometry-based suspect screening identified 55 suspects (31 at a confidence level [CL] of 1-3 and 24 at a CL of 4-5), of which 43 were substances not included in the targeted analysis. Semi-quantification of CL ≤ 2 suspects increased the identified EOF to >90% in coastal samples. In addition to showing the impact of PFAS regulation and phase-out initiatives, this study demonstrates that most extractable organofluorine in WTSE eggs is made up of known (legacy) PFAS, albeit with low levels of novel substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Haque
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
| | - Anne L Soerensen
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Martin Sköld
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Albanovägen 28, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raed Awad
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Valhallavägen 81, 114 28, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kyra M Spaan
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mélanie Z Lauria
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Merle M Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Sun J, Xing L, Chu J. Global ocean contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A review of seabird exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138721. [PMID: 37080473 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been extensively produced and used as surfactants and repellents for decades. To date, the global contamination pattern of PFAS in marine biota has seldomly been reviewed. Seabirds are ideal biomonitoring tools to study environmental contaminants and their effects. Here, we compiled and synthesized reported PFAS concentrations in various seabird species to reflect spatiotemporal patterns and exposure risks of major PFAS on a global ocean scale. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the most studied PFAS in seabirds, which showed the highest level in eggs of common guillemots (U. aalge) from the Baltic Sea, followed by great cormorants (P. carbo) from the North Sea and double-crested cormorants (P.auritus) from the San Francisco Bay, whereas the lowest were those reported for Antarctic seabirds. The temporal pattern showed an overall higher level of PFOS in the late 1990s and early 2000s, consistent with the phase-out of perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride-based products. Maximum liver PFOS concentrations in several species such as cormorants and fulmars from Europe and North America exceeded the estimated toxicity reference values. Systematic evaluations using representative species and long time-series are necessary to understand contamination patterns in seabirds in South America, Africa, and Asia where information is lacking. In addition, limited research has been conducted on the identification and toxic effects of novel substitutes such as fluorotelomers and ether PFAS (F-53B, Gen-X etc.) in seabirds. Further research, including multi-omics analysis, is needed to comprehensively characterize the exposure and toxicological profiles of PFAS in seabirds and other wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China.
| | - Lingling Xing
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiansong Chu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China.
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7
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Groffen T, Bervoets L, Eens M. Temporal trends in PFAS concentrations in livers of a terrestrial raptor (common buzzard; Buteo buteo) collected in Belgium during the period 2000-2005 and in 2021. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114644. [PMID: 36306876 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals that have been globally distributed. Biological time series data suggest variation in temporal PFAS concentrations due to regulations and the phase-out of multiple PFAS analytes. Nonetheless, biomonitoring temporal trends of PFAS concentrations in raptors has only been done sporadically in Europe at a national scale. In the present study, we examined the concentrations of 28 PFAS in livers of common buzzard (Buteo buteo) collected in Belgium in the period 2000-2005 and in 2021. Despite the regulations and phase-out, the ΣPFAS concentrations remained similar in the livers over the past 20 years. However, over time the abundance of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), dominant in livers collected in 2000-2005, to the ΣPFAS concentration decreased from 46% to 27%, whereas the abundance of perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA), dominant in 2021, increased from 19% to 43%. The PFOS concentrations in the present study did not exceed the Toxicity Reference Values (TRVs), which were determined in liver on the characteristics of an avian top predator. The absence of temporal changes in PFAS concentrations is hypothesized to be due to a lagged response in environmental concentrations compared to atmospheric concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Bustnes JO, Bårdsen BJ, Herzke D, Bangjord G, Bollinger E, Bourgeon S, Schulz R, Fritsch C, Eulaers I. The impact of climate sensitive factors on the exposure to organohalogenated contaminants in an aquatic bird exploiting both marine and freshwater habitats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157667. [PMID: 35907551 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To assess how climate-sensitive factors may affect the exposure to organochlorines (OCs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), we monitored concentrations in eggs of the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) over two decades (1999-2019) in central Norway. The goldeneye alternates between marine and freshwater habitats and is sensitive to climate variation, especially due to alterations in ice conditions which may affect feeding conditions. We assessed how biological factors such as diet (stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N), the onset of egg laying, and physical characteristics such as winter climate (North Atlantic Oscillation: NAOw) influenced exposure. We predicted compounds to show different temporal trends depending on whether they were still in production (i.e. some PFASs) or have been banned (i.e. legacy OCs and some PFASs). Therefore, we controlled for potential temporal trends in all analyses. There were declining trends for α- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), oxychlordane, cis-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p.p'-DDT) and less persistent polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (e.g. PCB101). In contrast, the dominant compounds, such as p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) and persistent PCB congeners, were stable, whereas hexachlorobenzene (HCB) increased over time. Most OCs were positively related to δ15N, suggesting higher exposure in birds feeding at upper trophic levels. Chlordanes and HCB were positively associated with δ13C, indicating traces of marine input for these compounds, whereas the relationships to most PCBs were negative. Among PFASs, perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) declined. Most PFASs were positively associated with δ13C, whereas there were no associations with δ15N. Egg laying date was positively associated to perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), suggesting that some of the PFAS load originated from the wintering locations. Although NAOw had little impact on the exposure to organohalogenated contaminants, factors sensitive to climate change, especially diet, were associated with the exposure to OHCs in goldeneyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Bård-Jørgen Bårdsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway; The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Eric Bollinger
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, DE-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Sophie Bourgeon
- The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ralf Schulz
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, DE-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Clementine Fritsch
- UMR Chrono-environnement 6249 CNRS - University of Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Norwegian Polar Institute, The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Bustnes JO, Bårdsen BJ, Herzke D, Bangjord G, Bourgeon S, Fritsch C, Eulaers I. Ecosystem specific accumulation of organohalogenated compounds: A comparison between adjacent freshwater and terrestrial avian predators. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113455. [PMID: 35580663 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Insight into processes determining the exposure of organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in wildlife might be gained from comparing predators in different ecosystems. This study compared two avian predator species with similar food chain lengths: the goldeneye duck (Bucephala clangula) and the tawny owl (Strix aluco) breeding in adjacent freshwater- and terrestrial ecosystems in central Norway. We measured lipophilic organochlorines (OCs) and protein-bound perfluorinated substances (PFASs) in eggs of the two species over 21 years (1999-2019). Across years, the proportional distribution of OCs (∼90% of the ΣOHC load) relative to PFASs (∼10%) was similar in the two species. Moreover, ΣOC concentrations were similar between the species, but PFAS compounds were 2-12 times higher in the goldeneyes than in tawny owls. OC-pesticides dominated in tawny owls (∼60% of ΣOC), whereas persistent polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) congeners were the main OC components in goldeneyes (∼70% of ΣOC). The lipid-normalized concentrations of most OC-pesticides and the less persistent PCB101 declined significantly in both species. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), and more persistent PCBs decreased in tawny owls, while they tended to increase in goldeneyes. The increase in HCB was particulary robust. Among the PFASs, contrasted temporal trends were found across the species for four out of 11 compounds: PFOS declined while most perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) increased in tawny owls. In contrast, most PFASs were stable in goldeneyes. Moreover, there was no annual covariance between the OHC exposure in the two species: i.e., high concentrations in one species in a given year did not translate into high concentrations in the other. Hence, the two avian predators in adjacent ecosystems seem to be subject to different processes determining the OHC exposure, probably related to variation in diet and climate, long-range transport of different contaminants, and emissions of pollution locally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), The Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Bård-Jørgen Bårdsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), The Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), The Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Sophie Bourgeon
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Clementine Fritsch
- Chrono-environnement UMR 6249 CNRS, University of Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, 25030, Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Norwegian Polar Institute, The Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
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Krüger SC, Botha A, Bowerman W, Coverdale B, Gore ML, van den Heever L, Shaffer LJ, Smit-Robinson H, Thompson LJ, Ottinger MA. Old World Vultures Reflect Effects of Environmental Pollutants Through Human Encroachment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1586-1603. [PMID: 35673892 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
African wildlife face challenges from many stressors including current and emerging contaminants, habitat and resource loss, poaching, intentional and unintentional poisoning, and climate-related environmental change. The plight of African vultures exemplifies these challenges due to environmental contaminants and other stressors acting on individuals and populations that are already threatened or endangered. Many of these threats emanate from increasing human population size and settlement density, habitat loss from changing land use for agriculture, residential areas, and industry, and climate-related changes in resource availability. Environmental chemicals that are hazardous include legacy chemicals, emerging chemicals of concern, and high-volume-use chemicals that are employed as weed killers and in other agricultural applications. Furthermore, there are differences in risk for species living in close proximity to humans or in areas affected by habitat loss, climate, and industry. Monitoring programs are essential to track the status of nesting pairs, offspring survival, longevity, and lifetime productivity. This is important for long-lived birds, such as vultures, that may be especially vulnerable to chronic exposure to chemicals as obligate scavengers. Furthermore, their position in the food web may increase risk due to biomagnification of chemicals. We review the primary chemical hazards to Old World vultures and the interacting stressors affecting these and other birds. Habitat is a major consideration for vultures, with tree-nesters and cliff-nesters potentially experiencing different risks of exposure to environmental chemicals. The present review provides information from long-term monitoring programs and discusses a range of these threats and their effects on vulture populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1586-1603. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C Krüger
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | - Andre Botha
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - William Bowerman
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Brent Coverdale
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
| | - Meredith L Gore
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - L Jen Shaffer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanneline Smit-Robinson
- BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Lindy J Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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11
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Wang X, Zhang H, Zhao H, Li J. Spatiotemporal distribution of perfluoroalkyl acid in Chinese eggs. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS. PART B, SURVEILLANCE 2022; 15:142-151. [PMID: 35379073 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2022.2059789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To study the contamination levels of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in Chinese eggs and the effects of persistent organic pollutant (POP) amendments to the Stockholm Convention blacklist, 3200 eggs from 10 major producing areas were collected from June 2013 to May 2017. Seventeen PFAAs in eggs were analysed. Perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the main PFAAs in eggs. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and short-chain PFAAs levels in eggs decreased after the amendment was implemented in China (p < .05), but no significant difference was observed in PFOS. The average ΣPFAAs of eggs from 10 major producing areas was 0.23 ng/g (<LOD-5.4 ng/g), with samples from Hunan, Hubei and Henan being above this threshold, indicates the need for more stringent evaluation and regulation on pollutant management practices. The detection rate of eggs with PFOS risk was very low and no consumption-related health risk was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxuan Wang
- School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianying Li
- School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
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12
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Bustnes JO, Bårdsen B, Herzke D, Bangjord G, Bourgeon S, Fritsch C, Eulaers I. Temporal Trends of Organochlorine and Perfluorinated Contaminants in a Terrestrial Raptor in Northern Europe Over 34 years (1986-2019). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1508-1519. [PMID: 35312196 PMCID: PMC9321541 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fourteen legacy organochlorine (OC) contaminants and 12 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in eggs of tawny owls (Strix alueco) in central Norway (1986-2019). We expected OCs to have reached stable equilibrium levels due to bans, and that recent phase-out of some PFASs would have slowed the increase of these compounds. ∑OC comprised on average approximately 92% of the measured compounds, whereas ∑PFAS accounted for approximately 8%. However, whereas the ∑OC to ∑PFAS ratio was approximately 60 in the first 5 years of the study, it was only approximately 11 in the last 5 years. Both OC pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) showed substantial declines over the study period (~85%-98%): hexachlorocyclohexanes and chlordanes seemed to be levelling off, whereas p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) and hexachlororbenzene (HCB), and most PCB congeners still seemed to decline at a more or less constant rate. While the concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the dominating PFAS, was reduced by approximately 43%, other perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs) showed only minor changes. Moreover, the median concentrations of seven perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) increased approximately five-fold over the study period. Perfluorononanoic acid and perfluoroundecanoate acid, however, seemed to be levelling off in recent years. In contrast, perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorodecanoate acid, perfluorotridecanoic acid, and perfluorotetradecanoic acid seemed to increase more or less linearily. Finally, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was increasingly likely to be detected over the study period. Hence, most legacy OCs and PFOS have not reached a lower threshold with stable background levels, and voluntary elimination of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates still has not resulted in declining levels in tawny owls in central Norway. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1508-1519. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)The Fram Centre9296TromsøNorway
| | - Bård‐Jørgen Bårdsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)The Fram Centre9296TromsøNorway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU)The Fram Centre9296TromsøNorway
| | | | - Sophie Bourgeon
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of Norway9037TromsøNorway
| | - Clementine Fritsch
- Chrono‐environnement UMR 6249 CNRS/University of Franche‐ComtéBesançonFrance
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Norwegian Polar Institute, The Fram Centre9296TromsøNorway
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13
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Ahmadireskety A, Da Silva BF, Robey NM, Douglas TE, Aufmuth J, Solo-Gabriele HM, Yost RA, Townsend TG, Bowden JA. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Street Sweepings. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6069-6077. [PMID: 34596397 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One hundred and seventeen street sweeping samples were collected and analyzed for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Fifty-six samples were collected in one city (Gainesville, Florida) allowing for an in-depth city-wide characterization. Street sweepings from five other urban areas, (Orlando, n = 15; Key West, n = 15; Pensacola, n = 12; Tampa, n = 13; and Daytona Beach, n = 6) were analyzed to provide a city-to-city comparison of PFAS. Within our analytical workflow, 37 PFAS were quantified across all samples, while the maximum number of PFAS quantified at one site was 26. Of those PFAS quantified in Gainesville, 60% were perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and 33% were precursors to PFAA. Among the PFAAs, short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were the dominant class representing 26% of the total PFAS by concentration. In the comparison across different urban cities, the dominant compound by concentration and frequency of detection varied; however, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and linear perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOSlin) were the two PFAS that were detected the most frequently. This study documents the first-time detection of hexadecafluorosebacic acid and perfluoro-3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,11-dioic acid within environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiye Ahmadireskety
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Bianca F Da Silva
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Nicole M Robey
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Thomas E Douglas
- Public Works Department, Solid Waste Division, City of Gainesville, Gainesville, Florida 32653, United States
| | - Joe Aufmuth
- George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32603, United States
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, College of Engineering, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Richard A Yost
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Timothy G Townsend
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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14
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Jouanneau W, Léandri-Breton DJ, Corbeau A, Herzke D, Moe B, Nikiforov VA, Gabrielsen GW, Chastel O. A Bad Start in Life? Maternal Transfer of Legacy and Emerging Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances to Eggs in an Arctic Seabird. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6091-6102. [PMID: 34874166 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In birds, maternal transfer is a major exposure route for several contaminants, including poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Little is known, however, about the extent of the transfer of the different PFAS compounds to the eggs, especially for alternative fluorinated compounds. In the present study, we measured legacy and emerging PFAS, including Gen-X, ADONA, and F-53B, in the plasma of prelaying black-legged kittiwake females breeding in Svalbard and the yolk of their eggs. We aimed to (1) describe the contaminant levels and patterns in both females and eggs, and (2) investigate the maternal transfer, that is, biological variables and the relationship between the females and their eggs for each compound. Contamination of both females and eggs were dominated by linPFOS then PFUnA or PFTriA. We notably found 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid─a precursor of long-chain carboxylates─in 84% of the egg yolks, and provide the first documented finding of ADONA in wildlife. Emerging compounds were all below the detection limit in female plasma. There was a linear association between females and eggs for most of the PFAS. Analyses of maternal transfer ratios in females and eggs suggest that the transfer is increasing with PFAS carbon chain length, therefore the longest chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were preferentially transferred to the eggs. The mean ∑PFAS in the second-laid eggs was 73% of that in the first-laid eggs. Additional effort on assessing the outcome of maternal transfers on avian development physiology is essential, especially for PFCAs and emerging fluorinated compounds which are under-represented in experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Jouanneau
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 17031 La Rochelle, France
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Don-Jean Léandri-Breton
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 17031 La Rochelle, France
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Alexandre Corbeau
- ECOBIO (Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution), UMR 6553 CNRS - Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Børge Moe
- NINA - Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vladimir A Nikiforov
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 17031 La Rochelle, France
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15
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Martinez B, Da Silva BF, Aristizabal-Henao JJ, Denslow ND, Osborne TZ, Morrison ES, Bianchi TS, Bowden JA. Increased levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) during Hurricane Dorian on the east coast of Florida. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 208:112635. [PMID: 34990607 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals commonly found in everyday consumer products and are an emerging concern due to their ubiquitous presence in ecosystems around the world. PFAS exposure, which often occurs through contaminated water, has been linked to several adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. PFAS can be transported in surface water and storm runoff in the nearshore environment. Episodic events, such as hurricanes, are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, and a critical unanswered question is: how do episodic events influence the concentrations and distributions of emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, in coastal systems? Here, we investigated the impact of the 2019 Hurricane Dorian on the Florida coast to assess how natural disasters, such as hurricanes, influence the fate and transport of PFAS in surface water. Water samples collected throughout the St. Augustine Intracoastal waterway before, during, and after the storm were analyzed and compared with baseline concentrations. Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was used in the detection and quantification of 23 and 17 PFAS, respectively. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the compound with the highest concentration across all sampling sites. Mean PFOS levels showed the highest increase of 177% during the hurricane and returned to baseline levels after two days. Our findings highlight the need for continued research focused on understanding how large storms near all coastlines can impact the transport of environmental pollutants, such as PFOS, that can have adverse effects on human and environmental health. Further monitoring of PFAS in coastal systems is necessary to identify potential PFAS hotspots, investigate the impacts of episodic events on PFAS transport, develop mitigation practices capable of reducing the risk of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Martinez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bianca F Da Silva
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Todd Z Osborne
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Biosciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Elise S Morrison
- Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas S Bianchi
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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16
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Colomer-Vidal P, Bertolero A, Alcaraz C, Garreta-Lara E, Santos FJ, Lacorte S. Distribution and ten-year temporal trends (2009-2018) of perfluoroalkyl substances in gull eggs from Spanish breeding colonies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118555. [PMID: 34808307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gull eggs are excellent bioindicators of environmental pollution as reflect the contamination levels of coastal areas, especially of persistent and bioacumulative compounds such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study aims to evaluate the geographical distribution and 10-year temporal trends (2009-2018) of 17 PFAS in eggs of two gull species (Larus michahellis and Larus audouinii) from 5 main Spanish colonies. ∑PFAS ranged from 13.7 ± 5.9 to 164 ± 17 ng g-1 wet weight and higher concentrations were observed in L. audouinii than in L. michahellis. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant compound in all samples, followed by perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriDA). Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFNA) were also found in all studied areas but at lower concentrations, while perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was only detected in the Medes Islands. Principal Component Analysis revealed the co-occurrence of the 6 detected PFAS, and differentiated samples from Ebro Delta and Medes Islands, both located in the North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with high contribution of all PFAS, from Chafarinas and Atlantic Islands with lower concentration levels and variability. Also, different patterns were observed among colonies, suggesting the fish-based diet plays an important role in PFAS bioaccumulation. In all colonies, except for the Medes Islands, ∑PFAS decreased through the 10-year study period, with PFOS, PFUnA, and PFTriDA showing a significant concentration reduction in a colony-specific manner. This study demonstrates the usefulness and importance of continuous systematic long-term monitoring to determine the geographical distribution and temporal variations of PFAS in marine protected areas using gull eggs as bioindicators of environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Colomer-Vidal
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Albert Bertolero
- Associació Ornitològica Picampall de les Terres de l'Ebre, Amposta, Spain
| | - Carles Alcaraz
- IRTA-Marine and Continental Waters, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Elba Garreta-Lara
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Santos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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17
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Wilkinson BP, Robuck AR, Lohmann R, Pickard HM, Jodice PGR. Urban proximity while breeding is not a predictor of perfluoroalkyl substance contamination in the eggs of brown pelicans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:150110. [PMID: 34525704 PMCID: PMC8595685 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Identifying sources of exposure to chemical stressors is difficult when both target organisms and stressors are highly mobile. While previous studies have demonstrated that populations of some organisms proximal to urban centers may display increased burdens of human-created chemicals compared to more distal populations, this relationship may not be universal when applied to organisms and stressors capable of transboundary movements. We examined eggs of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), a nearshore seabird with daily movements ranging from local to 50 km and annual migrations ranging from year-round residency to 1500 km. Thirty-six eggs from three breeding colonies located at increasing distances to a major urban center (Charleston, South Carolina, USA) were analyzed for concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Areas of high use for each colony during the breeding season were also assessed via the tracking of adult pelicans from each colony using GPS-PTT satellite transmitters and overlapped with measures of relative urbanization via land cover data. We report potentially significant ∑PFAS concentrations in the eggs of pelicans (175.4 ± 120.1 ng/g w wt. SD), driven largely by linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS) (48-546 ng/g w wt.). Residues of the precursor compound perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) were also present in pelican eggs, suggesting continued exposure of local wildlife beyond implemented phaseouts of some PFAS. For most analytes, egg concentrations did not exhibit a significant spatial structure despite some differentiation in high-use areas unlike similar data for another regional apex predator, the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). We suggest that the partially migratory nature of brown pelicans during the non-breeding season, combined with daily ranges that may extend to 50 km from local point sources, may have homogenized exposure across individuals. Charleston likely remains a major source for PFAS in the overall region, however, given the high concentrations observed as well as known releases of PFAS in the nearshore environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley P Wilkinson
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Anna R Robuck
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Patrick G R Jodice
- U.S. Geological Survey South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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18
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Shirasaki K, Nagai M, Nakase M, Tabata C, Sunaga A, Yaita T, Yamamura T. Sr( ii) extraction by crown ether in HFC: entropy driven mechanism through H 2PFTOUD. RSC Adv 2022; 12:26922-26933. [PMID: 36275164 PMCID: PMC9490450 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04411k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The solvent extraction of Sr(ii) was carried out using dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) and two HFC mixed solvents MS1 and MS2, where MS1 was composed of 30/60 (w/w)% trans-1,2-dichloroethylene/HFC-43 (HFC-43: 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane) and MS2 was 5/95 (w/w)% heptane/HFC-43. Nitric acid and perfuruoro-3-6-9-trioxaundecane-1,11-dioic acid (H2PFTOUD) were used to study the effect of acid on the extraction. The maximum distribution ratio of Sr(ii) (DSr) observed for H2PFTOUD conditions was ∼180, and >10 times larger than aqueous nitric acid conditions. The DSr value was influenced by concentrations of the DCH18C6, Sr(ii), and acid, and by temperature. The composition of extracted complexes was estimated using slope analysis as an Sr(ii)–anion–DCH18C6 ratio of ∼1 : 2 : 1. From the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements of Sr(ii) in the aqueous and organic phases, it is inferred that regardless of the acid used, DCH18C6 coordinates to the first coordination sphere of the Sr(ii) extracted complexes and Sr(ii) is hydrated (complexation with H2PFTOUD cannot be distinguished) in the aqueous phase. Thermodynamic data were significantly changed by choice of acid, i.e., both enthalpy and entropy values were negative for nitric acid conditions, on the other hand, entropy values were large and positive for H2PFTOUD conditions. These results have demonstrated that the combination of HFC solvent and crown ether is applicable for metal extraction. The solvent extraction of Sr(ii) was carried out using DCH18C6, and two HFC mixed solvents composed of organic solvents and HFC-43 (HFC-43: 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane), and two acids (nitric acid and H2PFTOUD).![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Shirasaki
- Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Mitsuie Nagai
- Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Masahiko Nakase
- Fukushima Reconstruction and Revitalization Unit, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Chihiro Tabata
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, Kumatori, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
- Materials Sciences Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaragi 319-1195, Japan
| | - Ayaki Sunaga
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, Kumatori, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Yaita
- Materials Sciences Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Kouto, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Tomoo Yamamura
- Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, Kumatori, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
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19
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Aristizabal-Henao JJ, Brown HJ, Griffin EK, Ostfeld RS, Oggenfuss K, Parker BM, Wisely SM, Bowden JA. Ticks as novel sentinels to monitor environmental levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1301-1307. [PMID: 34369533 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00209k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent, ubiquitous pollutants. It is important to continuously monitor the presence of PFAS contamination, utilizing both legacy and new sentinels. In this study, environmental PFAS levels were evaluated using ticks as a sentinel model due to their world-wide distribution, hematophagous nature, and ease of collection and sampling. Hematophagy in discrete blood meals, from a suite of vertebrates, allows ticks to sample dozens of species of consumers and bioaccumulation across communities. Four different species of ticks, across two states (NY, n = 28 in mid-April of 2020 and FL, n = 32 between 2015 and 2020) with two sampling sites in each state were analyzed for the presence of 53 PFAS. The total PFAS concentration in ticks was the lowest at Newburgh (NY), a site that has been undergoing remediation efforts, while the highest total PFAS concentrations were measured in ticks at the Sweetwater site, a wastewater treatment wetland. Detection of PFAS and the potential for variation between tick species and between locations are necessary to establish the utility of ticks as sentinels, in addition to assessing additional environmental factors, such as other wildlife, water, or soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Aristizabal-Henao
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Hannah J Brown
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | | | | | - Brandon M Parker
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Samantha M Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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20
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Morganti M, Polesello S, Pascariello S, Ferrario C, Rubolini D, Valsecchi S, Parolini M. Exposure assessment of PFAS-contaminated sites using avian eggs as a biomonitoring tool: A frame of reference and a case study in the Po River valley (Northern Italy). INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:733-745. [PMID: 33764673 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For many years, eggs of diverse bird species have been used as monitoring tools in studies investigating perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, especially in marine and remote areas. Avian eggs are a suitable monitoring matrix because they are relatively easy to collect and their yolks store diverse maternally transferred PFAS. Moreover, the concentrations of PFAS detected in the eggs are a good proxy for maternal exposure and allow the assessment of the potential risk for birds. These features support the use of avian eggs as a key monitoring tool in exposure assessment of PFAS-contaminated sites. We first review the recent application of avian eggs in PFAS monitoring in environmental risk assessment schemes, highlighting strengths and limitations and suggesting which criteria should be considered when selecting a proper study species and structuring the sampling and analytical protocol. Eventually, we report findings from a field study realized in 2020 near a perfluoropolymer factory site in the upper Po plain (Northern Italy), revealing an unprecedented contamination level of PFOA and C6O4 in three species of wild passerines. In future, long-term monitoring of PFAS contamination using avian eggs should be maintained, to provide crucial information on the temporal trend of fluorochemical production and waste disposal, while facilitating early identification of emerging PFAS as well as the quantification of their biomagnification across the trophic web. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:733-745. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Morganti
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio, MB, Italy
| | - Stefano Polesello
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio, MB, Italy
| | - Simona Pascariello
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio, MB, Italy
| | - Claudia Ferrario
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio, MB, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Valsecchi
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio, MB, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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21
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Gazzotti T, Sirri F, Ghelli E, Zironi E, Zampiga M, Pagliuca G. Perfluoroalkyl contaminants in eggs from backyard chickens reared in Italy. Food Chem 2021; 362:130178. [PMID: 34102511 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent and bioaccumulative compounds with adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Diet is one of the main sources of exposure to PFASs. Recently, the EFSA established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) limit (4.4 ng/kg b.w.) for a mixture of the four major PFASs. Eggs and egg products can contribute to this intake, with their contamination possibly dependent on the husbandry system. Monitoring Italian eggs from backyard chickens revealed a relatively uniform PFAS contamination, with perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate being the most abundant. Contamination was detected to be significantly higher in eggs from backyard chickens than in eggs from commercial laying hens, consistent with a previous Italian study. According to the recently set TWI value, the consumption of eggs from backyard chickens could contribute significantly to dietary intake of PFASs (up to 29% of the TWI in children, considering the lower bound approach).
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gazzotti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research (CIRI-SDV), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
| | - Federico Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisa Ghelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisa Zironi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Marco Zampiga
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Giampiero Pagliuca
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research (CIRI-SDV), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
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22
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Zhou J, Baumann K, Mead RN, Skrabal SA, Kieber RJ, Avery GB, Shimizu M, DeWitt JC, Sun M, Vance SA, Bodnar W, Zhang Z, Collins LB, Surratt JD, Turpin BJ. PFOS dominates PFAS composition in ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) collected across North Carolina nearly 20 years after the end of its US production. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:580-587. [PMID: 33725038 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00497a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of drinking water by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) emitted from manufacturing plants, fire-fighting foams, and urban waste streams has received considerable attention due to concerns over toxicity and environmental persistence; however, PFASs in ambient air remain poorly understood, especially in the United States (US). We measured PFAS concentrations in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 5 locations across North Carolina over a 1 year period in 2019. Thirty-four PFASs, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic, perfluoroalkane sulfonic, perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic and sulfonic acids were analyzed by UHPLC/ESI-MS/MS. Quarterly averaged concentrations ranged from <0.004-14.1 pg m-3. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) ranged from <0.18 to 14.1 pg m-3, comparable to previous PM2.5 measurements from Canada and Europe (<0.02-3.5 pg m-3). Concentrations above 1 pg m-3 were observed in July-September at Charlotte (14.1 pg m-3, PFOA), Wilmington (4.75 pg m-3, PFOS), and Research Triangle Park (1.37 pg m-3, PFOS). Notably, PM2.5 has a short atmospheric lifetime (<2 weeks), and thus, the presence of PFOS in these samples raises questions about their sources, since PFOS production was phased out in the US ∼20 years ago. This is the first US study to provide insights into ambient PFAS concentrations in PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhou
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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23
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Dykstra CR, Route WT, Williams KA. Trends and Patterns of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Blood Plasma Samples of Bald Eagle Nestlings in Wisconsin and Minnesota, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:754-766. [PMID: 32866326 PMCID: PMC7984356 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed concentrations and trends of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in blood plasma samples of bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nestlings at 6 study areas in the upper Midwest of the United States, 2006 to 2015, and long-term trends at 2 Lake Superior (USA/Canada) sites, 1995 to 2015. Nestling blood plasma concentrations of the sum of 15 PFAS analytes (∑PFAS) differed among study areas and were highest at the 3 industrialized river sites: pools 3 and 4 of the Mississippi River (pools 3 + 4; geometric mean [GM] = 754 μg/L; range = 633-2930), the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (GM = 687 μg/L; range = 24-7371), and the lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (GM = 546 μg/L; range = 20-2400). Temporal trends in ∑PFAS in nestling plasma differed among study areas; concentrations decreased at pools 3 + 4, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, and lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, but not at the most remote sites, the upper St. Croix River and Lake Superior. Overall, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) was the most abundant analyte at all study areas, and perfluorodecanesulfonate (PFDS) the second most abundant at industrialized river sites although not at Lake Superior; concentrations of both these analytes declined from 2006 to 2015 over the study area. In addition, nestling age significantly influenced plasma concentrations of ∑PFAS and 7 of the 12 analytes. For these analytes, concentrations increased by 1 to 2%/d as nestlings grew, indicating that age should be considered when using nestling plasma to assess PFAS. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:754-766. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William T. Route
- US National Park Service, Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring NetworkAshlandWisconsinUSA
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24
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Thorstensen H, Ruus A, Helberg M, Baek K, Enge EK, Borgå K. Common Eider and Herring Gull as Contaminant Indicators of Different Ecological Niches of an Urban Fjord System. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:422-433. [PMID: 32926521 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds like gulls are common indicators in contaminant monitoring. The herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a generalist with a broad range of dietary sources, possibly introducing a weakness in its representativeness of aquatic contamination. To investigate the herring gull as an indicator of contamination in an urban-influenced fjord, the Norwegian Oslofjord, we compared concentrations of a range of lipophilic and protein-associated organohalogen contaminants (OHCs), Hg, and dietary markers in blood (n = 15), and eggs (n = 15) between the herring gull and the strict marine-feeding common eider (Somateria mollissima) in the breeding period of May 2017. Dietary markers showed that the herring gull was less representative of the marine food web than the common eider. We found higher concentrations of lipophilic OHCs (wet weight and lipid weight) and Hg (dry weight) in the blood of common eider (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 210 ± 126 ng/g ww, 60 600 ± 28 300 ng/g lw; mean Hg = 4.94 ± 0.438 ng/g dw) than of the herring gull (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 19.0 ± 15.6 ng/g ww, 1210 ± 1510 ng/g lw; mean Hg = 4.26 ± 0.438 ng/g dw). Eggs gave opposite results; higher wet weight and lipid weight OHC concentrations in the herring gull (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 257 ± 203 ng/g ww, 3240 ± 2610 ng/g lw) than the common eider (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 18.2 ± 20.8 ng/g ww, 101 ± 121 ng/g lw), resulting in higher OHC maternal transfer ratios in gulls than eiders. We suggest that the matrix differences are due to fasting during incubation in the common eider. We suggest that in urban areas, herring gull might not be representative as an indicator of marine contamination but rather urban contaminant exposure. The common eider is a better indicator of marine pollution in the Oslofjord. The results are influenced by the matrix choice, as breeding strategy affects lipid dynamics regarding the transfer of lipids and contaminants to eggs and remobilization of contaminants from lipids to blood during incubation, when blood is drawn from the mother. Our results illustrate the benefit of a multispecies approach for a thorough picture of contaminant status in urban marine ecosystems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:422-433. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anders Ruus
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Marine Pollution, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Helberg
- Department of Teacher Education, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway
| | - Kine Baek
- Section for Marine Pollution, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen Katrin Enge
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Parolini M, Cappelli F, De Felice B, Possenti CD, Rubolini D, Valsecchi S, Polesello S. Within- and Among-Clutch Variation of Yolk Perfluoroalkyl Acids in a Seabird from the Northern Adriatic Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:744-753. [PMID: 32833265 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are surface-active agents used in diverse industrial and commercial applications. They contaminate both freshwater and marine ecosystems, are highly persistent, and accumulate through trophic transfer. Seabirds are exposed to environmental contaminants due to their high trophic position in food webs and relatively long lifespan. We measured levels of 10 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in egg yolks of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) breeding in the northern Adriatic Sea (Northeast Italy). We examined variations in PFAAs within clutches (between eggs of different laying order) and among clutches. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most abundant yolk PFAA (mean = 42.0 ng/g wet wt), followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; 3.8 ng/g wet wt) and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDa; 2.8 ng/g wet wt). The ∑PFAAs averaged 57.4 ng/g wet weight, ranging between 26.5 and 115.0 ng/g wet weight. The PFAA levels varied substantially among clutches (0.29-0.79 of the total variation), whereas the effects of laying order were considerably weaker (0.01-0.13). Egg-laying order effects were detected for ∑PFAAs, PFOS, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), and PFDoDa, whereby the last-laid eggs exhibited lower PFAA concentrations than early-laid eggs. Our results indicate that seagulls from the northern Adriatic basin deposit measurable amounts of PFAAs in their eggs. The large among-clutches differences in PFAAs suggest that exposure of yellow-legged gull females to these compounds is highly variable. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:744-753. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Cappelli
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Brugherio, Monza and Brianza, Italy
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Como, Italy
| | - Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Valsecchi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Brugherio, Monza and Brianza, Italy
| | - Stefano Polesello
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Brugherio, Monza and Brianza, Italy
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26
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Ask AV, Jenssen BM, Tartu S, Angelier F, Chastel O, Gabrielsen GW. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Are Positively Associated with Thyroid Hormones in an Arctic Seabird. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:820-831. [PMID: 33369782 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with several disrupted physiological and endocrine parameters. Regarding endocrine mechanisms, laboratory studies suggest that PFAS could disrupt the thyroid hormone system and alter circulating thyroid hormone concentrations. Thyroid hormones play a ubiquitous role-controlling thermoregulation, metabolism, and reproduction. However, evidence for disruption of thyroid hormones by PFAS remains scarce in wildlife. The present study investigated the associations between concentrations of PFAS, thyroid hormones, and body condition in an arctic seabird, the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). We collected blood from kittiwakes sampled in Svalbard, Norway (2013 and 2014). Plasma samples were analyzed for total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) concentrations; detected PFAS included branched and linear (lin) C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (i.e., perfluoroctane sulfonate [PFOS]) and C9 -C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs). The dominant PFAS in the kittiwakes were linPFOS and C11 - and C13 -PFCAs. Generally, male kittiwakes had higher concentrations of PFAS than females. We observed positive correlations between linPFOS, C10 -PFCA, and TT4 in males, whereas in females C12-14 -PFCAs were positively correlated to TT3. Interestingly, we observed contrasted correlations between PFAS and body condition; the direction of the relationship was sex-dependent. Although these results show relationships between PFAS and circulating thyroid hormone concentrations in kittiwakes, the study design does not allow for concluding on causal relationships related to effects of PFAS on the thyroid hormone system. Future experimental research is required to quantify this impact of PFAS on the biology of kittiwakes. The apparently different associations among PFAS and body condition for males and females are puzzling, and more research is required. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:820-831. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalie Vigdel Ask
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372-CNRS, and Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372-CNRS, and Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372-CNRS, and Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France
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27
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Pereira MG, Lacorte S, Walker LA, Shore RF. Contrasting long term temporal trends in perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in eggs of the northern gannet (Morus bassanus) from two UK colonies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:141900. [PMID: 32916484 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We compared long-term (1977 to 2014) trends in concentrations of PFAS in eggs of the marine sentinel species, the Northern gannet (Morus bassanus), from the Irish Sea (Ailsa Craig) and the North Sea (Bass Rock). Concentrations of eight perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and three perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs) were determined and we report the first dataset on PFAS in UK seabirds before and after the PFOS ban. There were no significant differences in ∑PFAS or ∑PFSAs between both colonies. The ∑PFSAs dominated the PFAS profile (>80%); PFOS accounted for the majority of the PFSAs (98-99%). In contrast, ∑PFCAs concentrations were slightly but significantly higher in eggs from Ailsa Craig than in those from Bass Rock. The most abundant PFCAs were perfluorotridecanoate (PFTriDA) and perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnA) which, together with PFOA, comprised around 90% of the ∑PFCAs. The ∑PFSAs and ∑PFCAs had very different temporal trends. ∑PFSAs concentrations in eggs from both colonies increased significantly in the earlier part of the study but later declined significantly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the phasing out of PFOS production in the 2000s. In contrast, ∑PFCAs concentrations in eggs were constant and low in the 1970s and 1980s, suggesting minimal environmental contamination, but residues subsequently increased significantly in both colonies until the end of the study. This increase appeared driven by rises in long chain compounds, namely the odd chain numbered PFTriDA and PFUnA. PFOA, had a very different temporal trend from the other dominant acids, with an earlier rise in concentrations followed by a decline in the last 15 years in Ailsa Craig; later temporal trends in Bass Rock eggs were unclear. Although eggs from both colonies contained relatively low concentrations of PFAS, the majority had PFOS residues that exceeded a suggested Predicted No Effect Concentration and ~ 10% of the eggs exceeded a suggested Lowest-Observable-Adverse-Effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Glória Pereira
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK.
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Diagnostics and Water Studies, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lee A Walker
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Richard F Shore
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
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28
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YE T, CHEN Y, FU J, ZHANG A, FU J. [Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in eggs: analytical methods and their application as pollutant bioindicator]. Se Pu 2021; 39:184-196. [PMID: 34227351 PMCID: PMC9274833 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1123.2020.09023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) are environmentally persistent and biomagnified along food chains. They have been widely detected globally, even in the human body, and their potential toxicity has attracted great attention. Eggs are the origin of new life of ovipara and are rich in nutrients, thus they serve as one of the main protein sources for humans. Therefore, the level of pollutants in eggs can affect the reproduction of ovipara, and it is also related to human health by food intake. In recent years, poultry egg samples have been widely used in the assessment of biological and ecological pollution as a non-invasive biota matrix. At the same time, recent studies have used eggs to evaluate the developmental toxicity and associated health risks based on the pollutant levels in egg samples. In this study, the methods of sample pretreatment and instrumental detection of PFASs for egg samples are summarized. In addition, the application of eggs as a pollutants bioindicator of PFASs contamination has been discussed.
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29
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Sun J, Letcher RJ, Eens M, Covaci A, Fernie KJ. Perfluoroalkyl acids and sulfonamides and dietary, biological and ecological associations in peregrine falcons from the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110151. [PMID: 32882236 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of chemicals and several perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are known environmental contaminants. Wildlife exposure to PFAAs and precursors has been shown, but less is known regarding replacements such as shorter-chain PFAS. In the present study, exposure to a suite of PFAAs and associations with dietary, biological and ecological factors were investigated in populations of a sentinel apex species - the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Nestling blood (n = 57) and sibling eggs (n = 9) were sampled in 2016 and 2018 from nests in rural and urban regions across the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, Canada. PFSAs (perfluorinated sulfonic acids) including PFHxS, PFOS, and PFDS were detected in most egg and plasma samples, whereas 11 PFCAs (perfluorinated carboxylic acids; C5-C14, C16) compared to eight PFCAs (C8-C14, C16) were detected in most eggs and plasma, respectively. Shorter-chain C8-C10 PFCAs were more dominant in plasma and longer-chain C12-C14 PFCAs in eggs, but profiles were similar for PFOS, PFDS, PFUdA and PFHxDA. The exposure to PFAAs in peregrine falcons is likely mediated by dietary factors such as foraging location (δ13C and δ34S) and trophic position (δ15N) given the associations observed in eggs and nestling plasma, respectively. Moreover, significant relationships were observed for circulating ΣPFCAs and region (rural/urban), and nestling body condition after adjusting for sampling year and dietary tracers, suggesting that compared to rural nestlings, urban nestlings may be more exposed to ΣPFCAs and prone to their potential physiological impacts. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating dietary, biological and ecological factors when studying PFAS exposure in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, BE-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, K1A 0H3, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, BE-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, BE-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Kim J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, L7S 1A1, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
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30
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Robuck AR, Cantwell MG, McCord J, Addison LM, Pfohl M, Strynar MJ, McKinney R, Katz DR, Wiley DN, Lohmann R. Legacy and Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Juvenile Seabirds from the U.S. Atlantic Coast. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12938-12948. [PMID: 32894676 PMCID: PMC7700771 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic, globally distributed chemicals. Legacy PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), have been regularly detected in marine fauna but little is known about their current levels or the presence of novel PFAS in seabirds. We measured 36 emerging and legacy PFAS in livers from 31 juvenile seabirds from Massachusetts Bay, Narragansett Bay, and the Cape Fear River Estuary (CFRE), United States. PFOS was the major legacy perfluoroalkyl acid present, making up 58% of concentrations observed across all habitats (range: 11-280 ng/g). Novel PFAS were confirmed in chicks hatched downstream of a fluoropolymer production site in the CFRE: a perfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (Nafion byproduct 2; range: 1-110 ng/g) and two perfluorinated ether carboxylic acids (PFO4DA and PFO5DoDA; PFO5DoDA range: 5-30 ng/g). PFOS was inversely associated with phospholipid content in livers from CFRE and Massachusetts Bay individuals, while δ 13C, an indicator of marine versus terrestrial foraging, was positively correlated with some long-chain PFAS in CFRE chick livers. There is also an indication that seabird phospholipid dynamics are negatively impacted by PFAS, which should be further explored given the importance of lipids for seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R. Robuck
- University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI 02882
| | - Mark G. Cantwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, Narragansett, RI 02882
| | - James McCord
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC 27709
| | | | - Marisa Pfohl
- University of Rhode Island, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kingston, RI 02881
| | - Mark J. Strynar
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC 27709
| | - Richard McKinney
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, Narragansett, RI 02882
| | - David R. Katz
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, Narragansett, RI 02882
| | - David N. Wiley
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Scituate, MA 02066 0
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI 02882
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Ssebugere P, Sillanpää M, Matovu H, Wang Z, Schramm KW, Omwoma S, Wanasolo W, Ngeno EC, Odongo S. Environmental levels and human body burdens of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in Africa: A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 739:139913. [PMID: 32540660 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are known organic pollutants with adverse health effects on humans and the ecosystem. This paper synthesises literature about the status of the pollutants and their precursors, identifies knowledge gaps and discusses future perspectives on the study of PFASs in Africa. Limited data on PFASs prevalence in Africa is available because there is limited capacity to monitor PFASs in African laboratories. The levels of PFASs in Africa are higher in samples from urban and industrialized areas compared to rural areas. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the dominant PFASs in human samples from Africa. Levels of PFOS and PFOA in these samples are lower than or comparable to those from industrialized countries. PFOA and PFOS levels in drinking water in Africa are, in some cases, higher than the EPA drinking water guidelines suggesting potential risk to humans. The levels of PFASs in birds' eggs from South Africa are higher, while those in other environmental media from Africa are lower or comparable to those from industrialized countries. Diet influences the pollutant levels in fish, while size and sex affect their accumulation in crocodiles. No bioaccumulation of PFASs in aquatic systems in Africa could be confirmed due to small sample sizes. Reported sources of PFASs in Africa include municipal landfills, inefficient wastewater treatment plants, consumer products containing PFASs, industrial wastewater and urban runoff. Relevant stakeholders need to take serious action to identify and deal with the salient sources of PFASs on the African continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ssebugere
- Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam; School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, 4350, QLD, Australia
| | - Henry Matovu
- Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Chemistry, Gulu University, P. O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karl-Werner Schramm
- Helmholtz Zentrum Müenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Molecular EXposomics (MEX), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| | - Solomon Omwoma
- Department of Physical Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 210-40601, Bondo, Kenya
| | - William Wanasolo
- Department of Chemistry, Kyambogo University, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda
| | | | - Silver Odongo
- Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
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Groffen T, Lasters R, Bervoets L, Prinsen E, Eens M. Are Feathers of a Songbird Model Species (The Great Tit, Parus major) Suitable for Monitoring Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in Blood Plasma? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:9334-9344. [PMID: 32634304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Feathers have been shown to be useful in the biomonitoring of environmental contaminants, such as metals and persistent organic pollutants. However, little is known regarding the levels of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in feathers and the applicability of these structures for the biomonitoring of these compounds. In the present study, we report the extent to which feathers are suitable for monitoring PFAA concentrations in the blood plasma of an insectivorous songbird model species, the great tit (Parus major), settled at and in the vicinity of a fluorochemical plant in Antwerp, Belgium. For most of the target analytes (out of the 15 investigated), the feather PFAA concentrations near the plant are the highest ever reported in free-living birds. As PFAA concentrations did not differ in the adjacent sites, no pollution gradient with distance from the plant was observed. In addition, the PFAA concentrations were not associated with the age and sex of the birds. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations were significantly higher in P. major feathers than in blood plasma, but for most other PFAAs, these differences were not observed. The concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and PFOA in P. major feathers and plasma were significantly and positively correlated when combining data from all sites but often not at individual sites. This result was likely caused by lower sample sizes at the individual sites and the use of matrices that represent different time periods. Our results suggest that P. major feathers cannot be used to estimate PFOA and PFOS concentrations in blood plasma, except when there is a great deal of variation in pollutant concentrations among sites/individual birds. Both matrices represent different time frames, providing complementary information on environmental PFAA concentrations, as illustrated by the observation that more PFAA compounds could be detected in P. major feathers than in blood plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Robin Lasters
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Els Prinsen
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Miller A, Elliott JE, Wilson LK, Elliott KH, Drouillard KG, Verreault J, Lee S, Idrissi A. Influence of overwinter distribution on exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in seabirds, ancient murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus), breeding on the Pacific coast of Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 259:113842. [PMID: 31926389 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the fate of both legacy and newer persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is an ongoing challenge. Top predators, including seabirds, are effective monitors of POPs because they forage over a range of marine habitats, integrating signals over space and time. However, migration patterns can make unravelling contaminant sources, and potentially assessments of the effectiveness of regulations, challenging if chemicals are acquired at distant sites. In 2014, we fitted geolocators on ancient murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiqueus) at four colonies on the Pacific Coast of Canada to obtain movement data throughout an annual cycle. All birds underwent a post-breeding moult in the Bering Sea. Around one-third then returned to overwinter on the British Columbia (BC) coast while the rest migrated to overwinter in waters along the north Asian coast. Such a stark difference in migration destination provided an opportunity to examine the influence of wintering location on contaminant signals. In summer 2015, we collected blood samples from returned geo-tagged birds and analyzed them for a suite of contaminants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), non-PBDE halogenated flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), organochlorines, and mercury. Feathers were also collected and analyzed for stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S). We found no significant differences in blood concentrations of any contaminant between murrelets from the two different overwinter areas, a result that indicates relatively rapid clearance of POPs accumulated during winter. Spatial variation in diet (i.e., δ13C) was associated with both BDE-47 and -99 concentrations. However, individual variation in trophic level had little influence on concentrations of any other examined contaminants. Thus, blood from these murrelets is a good indicator of recent, local contaminants, as most signals appear independent of overwintering location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aroha Miller
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada.
| | - Laurie K Wilson
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Jonathan Verreault
- Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Sandi Lee
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, BC, Canada
| | - Abde Idrissi
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Groffen T, Rijnders J, Verbrigghe N, Verbruggen E, Prinsen E, Eens M, Bervoets L. Influence of soil physicochemical properties on the depth profiles of perfluoroalkylated acids (PFAAs) in soil along a distance gradient from a fluorochemical plant and associations with soil microbial parameters. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 236:124407. [PMID: 31545204 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of perfluoroalkylated acids (PFAAs) has led to a global presence in the environment, in which they accumulate and may cause detrimental effects. Although soils are known sinks for many persistent organic pollutants, still little is known on the behaviour of PFAAs in soils. Furthermore, studies that examine the relationships between PFAA concentrations and soil microbial parameters are scarce. The 3 M fluorochemical plant near Antwerp has been characterized as a PFAAs hotspot. In the present study, we examined the vertical distribution of 15 PFAAs and their associations with multiple physicochemical soil properties along a distance gradient from this hotspot. Additionally, we tested the relationships between PFAA concentrations in the top soil with soil respiration, microbial activity and microbial biomass. Our results show that both perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations were elevated in the subsurface layer (up to 50 cm), after which concentrations decreased again, suggesting a downward migration of both analytes in the soil. This downward movement might pose a potential threat for the contamination of the groundwater and, consequently, organisms that rely on this water for consumption. The soil concentrations were influenced by multiple physicochemical properties of the soil, which suggests differences in bioavailability and sorption/desorption capacities between different soil types. We did not observe any influence of PFAA contamination in the top soil on microbial activity and biomass nor soil respiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Jet Rijnders
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Niel Verbrigghe
- Centre of Excellence Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Erik Verbruggen
- Centre of Excellence Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Els Prinsen
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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35
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Sun J, Bossi R, Bustnes JO, Helander B, Boertmann D, Dietz R, Herzke D, Jaspers VLB, Labansen AL, Lepoint G, Schulz R, Sonne C, Thorup K, Tøttrup AP, Zubrod JP, Eens M, Eulaers I. White-Tailed Eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla) Body Feathers Document Spatiotemporal Trends of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in the Northern Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12744-12753. [PMID: 31599575 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We reconstructed the first long-term (1968-2015) spatiotemporal trends of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using archived body feathers of white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from the West Greenland (n = 31), Norwegian (n = 66), and Central Swedish Baltic coasts (n = 50). We observed significant temporal trends of perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (∑PFCAs) in all three subpopulations. Concentrations of FOSA and PFOS had started decreasing significantly since the mid-1990s to 2000 in the Greenland and Norwegian subpopulations, consistent with the 3M phase-out, though in sharp contrast to overall increasing trends observed in the Swedish subpopulation. Moreover, ∑PFCA concentrations significantly increased in all three subpopulations throughout the study periods. These temporal trends suggest on-going input of PFOS in the Baltic and of ∑PFCAs in all three regions. Considerable spatial variation in PFAS concentrations and profiles was observed: PFOS concentrations were significantly higher in Sweden, whereas FOSA and ∑PFCA concentrations were similar among the subpopulations. PFOS dominated the PFAS profiles in the Swedish and Norwegian subpopulations, in contrast to the domination of FOSA and ∑PFCAs in the Greenland one. Our spatiotemporal observations underline the usefulness of archived bird of prey feathers in monitoring spatiotemporal PFAS trends and urge for continued monitoring efforts in each of the studied subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology , University of Antwerp , Universiteitsplein 1 , BE-2610 Wilrijk , Belgium
| | | | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Unit for Arctic Ecology , Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment , Hjalmar Johansens gate 14 , P. O. Box 6606, NO-9296 Tromsø , Norway
| | - Björn Helander
- Environmental Research & Monitoring , Swedish Museum of Natural History , Frescativägen 40 , P. O. Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm , Sweden
| | | | | | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment , Hjalmar Johansens gate 14 , NO-9296 Tromsø , Norway
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Environmental Toxicology Group, Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Høgskoleringen 5 , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Aili Lage Labansen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources , Kivioq 2 , P. O. Box 570, GL-3900 Nuuk , Greenland
| | - Gilles Lepoint
- MARE Centre, Oceanology , University of Liège , Allée de la Chimie 3 , BE-4000 Liège , Belgium
| | - Ralf Schulz
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences , University of Koblenz-Landau , Fortstrasse 7 , DE-76829 Landau , Germany
| | | | - Kasper Thorup
- Natural History Museum of Denmark , University of Copenhagen , Øster Voldgade 5-7 , DK-1350 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Anders P Tøttrup
- Natural History Museum of Denmark , University of Copenhagen , Øster Voldgade 5-7 , DK-1350 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Jochen P Zubrod
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences , University of Koblenz-Landau , Fortstrasse 7 , DE-76829 Landau , Germany
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology , University of Antwerp , Universiteitsplein 1 , BE-2610 Wilrijk , Belgium
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Ghelli E, Tondo MT, Zironi E, Pagliuca G, Sirri F, Gazzotti T. Preliminary monitoring of the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in Italian eggs from different breeding systems. Ital J Food Saf 2019; 8:7702. [PMID: 31312619 PMCID: PMC6600846 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2019.7702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) are a wide cluster of fluorinated molecules largely engaged industrially and commercially for many purposes. Because of the strength of the fluorine-carbon bond, PFASs show a firm tenacity against thermal degradation, hydrolysis, photolysis and biodegradation. On the other hand, such chemical stability gives them persistent environmental pollutant feature. In 2012, EFSA published a scientific report on PFASs in food, mentioning their adverse effects on health. Based on observational studies evidences, EFSA has recommended a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for the two most known PFASs, i.e. PFOS 150 ng/kg b.w./day and PFOA 1500 ng/kg b.w./day. The aim of this study was to monitor, for the first time, the level of contamination of PFASs in chicken eggs laid in Northern Italy. The eggs were collected from different rearing systems, in order to search a correlation between this variable and the contamination of PFASs. In this study four PFASs [perfluoro-nnonanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoro-noctanoic- acid (PFOA), sodium perfluoro-1- hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and sodium perfluoro- 1-octanesulfonate (PFOS)] were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). 132 eggs were analyzed, split up in 11 groups according to the geographical origin and rearing system. Results accord with literature data available for chicken eggs: almost all the samples show a PFASs contamination level under the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.25 ng/mL. No significant difference results from the rearing system, attesting an equal distribution and a concentration of PFASs detectable under the limit of quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Federico Sirri
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
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Groffen T, Lasters R, Lemière F, Willems T, Eens M, Bervoets L, Prinsen E. Development and validation of an extraction method for the analysis of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in environmental and biotic matrices. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2019; 1116:30-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Groffen T, Eens M, Bervoets L. Do concentrations of perfluoroalkylated acids (PFAAs) in isopods reflect concentrations in soil and songbirds? A study using a distance gradient from a fluorochemical plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 657:111-123. [PMID: 30537574 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkylated acids (PFAAs) are persistent chemicals that have been detected globally in the environment and in wildlife. Although it is known that PFAAs sorb to solid matrices, little is known on PFAA concentrations in soils. PFAA pollution has often been studied in aquatic invertebrates. However, this has rarely been done on terrestrial species. In the present study, we examined whether the concentrations of 15 PFAAs in isopods (Oniscidae), collected at a fluorochemical plant and in four other areas, representing a gradient in distance from the pollution source (1 km to 11 km), were related to those in the soil and in eggs of a songbird, the great tit (Parus major), collected in the same areas. Additionally, we examined the effect of physicochemical properties such as total organic carbon (TOC) and clay content on the relationship between the concentrations in soil and isopods. Finally, we examined the composition profile in the soil and isopods. Mean PFOS and PFOA concentrations of 1700 ng/g dw and 24 ng/g dw were detected in the soil at the plant. PFOS and PFPeA were the dominant PFAAs in isopods and were detected at mean concentrations of 253 and 108 ng/g ww, respectively. The great tit eggs showed elevated mean PFOS concentrations of 55,970 ng/g ww. In most cases, PFAA concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the plant. As PFAA concentrations in isopods were correlated with concentrations in the soils, isopods could serve as a bioindicator for PFAA concentrations in soils. Additionally, there were indications that isopods could also serve as a bioindicator for PFAA concentrations in eggs of great tits. However, these indications were only the case at two locations, showing the need to further monitor the possibilities of using isopods as a bioindicator for PFAA concentrations in song bird eggs. CAPSULE: Elevated PFAA concentrations in isopods reflected concentrations in songbird eggs and in soil, indicating that trophic transfer of PFAAs from soil, via isopods, to songbirds might play a role in the PFAA exposure of terrestrial songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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Løseth ME, Briels N, Eulaers I, Nygård T, Malarvannan G, Poma G, Covaci A, Herzke D, Bustnes JO, Lepoint G, Jenssen BM, Jaspers VLB. Plasma concentrations of organohalogenated contaminants in white-tailed eagle nestlings - The role of age and diet. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:527-534. [PMID: 30583161 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) can show significant temporal and spatial variation in the environment and wildlife. Most of the variation is due to changes in use and production, but environmental and biological factors may also contribute to the variation. Nestlings of top predators are exposed to maternally transferred OHCs in the egg and through their dietary intake after hatching. The present study investigated spatial and temporal variation of OHCs and the role of age and diet on these variations in plasma of Norwegian white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) nestlings. The nestlings were sampled at two locations, Smøla and Steigen, in 2015 and 2016. The age of the nestlings was recorded (range: 44 - 87 days old) and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) were applied as dietary proxies for carbon source and trophic position, respectively. In total, 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, range: 0.82 - 59.05 ng/mL), 7 organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs, range: 0.89 - 52.19 ng/mL), 5 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, range: 0.03 - 2.64 ng/mL) and 8 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs, range: 4.58 - 52.94 ng/mL) were quantified in plasma samples from each location and year. The OHC concentrations, age and dietary proxies displayed temporal and spatial variations. The age of the nestlings was indicated as the most important predictor for OHC variation as the models displayed significantly decreasing plasma concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, and PBDEs with increasing age, while concentrations of PFASs were significantly increasing with age. Together with age, the variations in PCB, OCP and PBDE concentrations were also explained by δ13C and indicated decreasing concentrations with a more marine diet. Our findings emphasise age and diet as important factors to consider when investigating variations in plasma OHC concentrations in nestlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Engvig Løseth
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Nathalie Briels
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Fredriksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Torgeir Nygård
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, 9007, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, 9007, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gilles Lepoint
- Laboratoire d´Océanologie, University of Liège, 4000, Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Fredriksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
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Lasters R, Groffen T, Lopez-Antia A, Bervoets L, Eens M. Variation in PFAA concentrations and egg parameters throughout the egg-laying sequence in a free-living songbird (the great tit, Parus major): Implications for biomonitoring studies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:237-248. [PMID: 30557797 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, there has been growing scientific attention and public concern towards perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), due to their widespread presence in the environment and associations with adverse effects on various organisms. Bird eggs have often been used as less-invasive biomonitoring tools for toxicological risk assessments of persistent organic pollutants, including some PFAAs. Hereby, it is typically assumed that one random egg is representative for the PFAA concentrations of the whole clutch. However, variation of PFAA concentrations within clutches due to laying sequence influences can have important implications for the egg collection strategy and may impede interpretations of the quantified concentrations. Therefore, the main objective of this paper was to study variation patterns and possible laying sequence associations with PFAA concentrations in eggs of the great tit (Parus major). Eight whole clutches (4-8 eggs) were collected at a location in the Antwerp region, situated about 11 km from a known PFAA point source. The ∑ PFAA concentrations ranged from 8.9 to 75.1 ng g-1 ww. PFOS concentrations ranged from 6.7 to 55.1 ng g-1 ww and this compound was the dominant contributor to the total PFAA profile (74%), followed by PFDoA (7%), PFOA (7%), PFDA (5%), PFTrA (4%) and PFNA (3%). The within-clutch variation (70.7%) of the ∑ PFAA concentrations was much larger than the among-clutch variation (29.3%) and concentrations decreased significantly for some PFAA compounds throughout the laying sequence. Nevertheless, PFAA concentrations were positively and significantly correlated between some egg pairs within the same clutch, especially between egg 1 and egg 3. For future PFAA biomonitoring studies, we recommend to consistently collect the same egg along the laying sequence, preferably the first or third egg if maximizing egg exposure metrics is the main objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lasters
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Ana Lopez-Antia
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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41
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Groffen T, Lasters R, Lopez-Antia A, Prinsen E, Bervoets L, Eens M. Limited reproductive impairment in a passerine bird species exposed along a perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) pollution gradient. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 652:718-728. [PMID: 30380479 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although bird eggs have been used in biomonitoring studies on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), effects of environmental concentrations on reproduction remain largely unknown in wild birds. In the present study we examined the associations between the concentrations of 4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and 11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the eggs of great tits (Parus major), collected along a distance gradient from a pollution source, and multiple reproductive parameters (including the start of egg laying, clutch size, hatching success, fledging success and total breeding success) along with egg shell thickness and body condition of the nestlings. The PFAA concentrations measured at the plant site were among the highest ever reported in wild bird eggs. PFAA concentrations decreased sharply with increasing distance (0-11 km) from the plant, but remained relatively elevated in the adjacent sites. PFAAs were grouped into principal components (PCs) to prevent collinearity. High concentrations of PFOS, PFDS, PFDoDA, PFTrDA and PFTeDA (grouped as PC1) were associated with a reduced hatching success of nests where at least one egg hatched, thinner egg shells and increased survival of the hatched chicks. High concentrations of PFDA (PC2) were associated with a reduced hatching success, especially in nests where no eggs hatched, an earlier start of egg laying and a reduction of total breeding success, mainly caused by the failure in hatching. Although the major manufacturer of PFAAs phased out the production of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related products in 2002, concentrations appear to have increased since previous measurements. Surprisingly, despite the very high concentrations close to the fluorochemical plant, there was no clear evidence for reproductive impairment as the observed associations between PFAA concentrations and reproductive parameters were rather limited compared to previous studies in songbirds. These findings also suggest potential differences in sensitivity between species. CAPSULE: Despite the very high PFAA concentrations at the perfluorochemical hotspot, correlations with reproductive parameters were limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Robin Lasters
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Ana Lopez-Antia
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Els Prinsen
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicologal Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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42
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Vorkamp K, Falk K, Møller S, Bossi R, Rigét FF, Sørensen PB. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) add to the chemical cocktail in peregrine falcon eggs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 648:894-901. [PMID: 30144757 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A suite of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were determined in 41 peregrine falcon eggs collected in South Greenland between 1986 and 2014. Median concentrations of perfluorinated sulfonic acids (ΣPFSA) and perfluorinated carboxylic acids (ΣPFCA) were 303 ng/g dry weight (dw) (58 ng/g wet weight, ww) and 100 ng/g dw (19 ng/g ww), respectively, which was comparable to other studies. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) accounted for 94% on average of all PFSAs, but did not show a significant time trend. Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS) and perfluorodecane sulfonate (PFDS) showed non-linear decreases over the study period, while some long-chain PFCAs increased significantly. The PCN profile was dominated by the penta-, hexa- and tetrachlorinated congeners CN-52/60, CN-66/67 and CN-42. CN-54, an indicator of combustion, accounted for 2.4% of ΣPCN on average. All PCN congeners showed a decreasing tendency, which was significant for lipid-normalized concentrations of CN-53, CN-54 and CN-63. The ΣPCN median concentration was 21 ng/g lipid weight, which is in the high end of concentrations reported for bird eggs. The PCN and PFAS concentrations add to an already high contaminant burden and a complex chemical cocktail in the peregrine falcon population in Greenland, mainly reflecting contaminant exposure during migration and winter stays in Central and South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Arctic Research Centre, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Knud Falk
- Ljusstöparbacken 11a, 11765 Stockholm, Sweden. https://www.vandrefalk.dk
| | - Søren Møller
- Roskilde University Library, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Arctic Research Centre, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland.
| | - Peter B Sørensen
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
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Sedlak MD, Benskin JP, Wong A, Grace R, Greig DJ. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in San Francisco Bay wildlife: Temporal trends, exposure pathways, and notable presence of precursor compounds. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 185:1217-1226. [PMID: 28477851 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) wildlife have historically been among the highest reported globally. To track continuing exposures to PFASs and assess the impact of the 2002 phase-out of production of PFOS and related chemicals in the US, nine perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs; C4-C12), three perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs; C4, C6, C8) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA, a PFOS precursor) were measured in SF Bay cormorant eggs in 2012 and harbor seal serum sampled between 2009 and 2014. PFOS remained the dominant perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) in both cormorant eggs (36.1-466 ng/g) and seals (12.6-796 ng/g) from 2012 and 2014, respectively. Concentrations in seal and bird eggs from the South Bay have declined approximately 70% in both matrices. To elucidate potential pathways of exposure, prey fish, sediments and wastewater effluent were analyzed for PFASs, and in the case of sediment and effluent, a suite of PFAA precursors. PFOS was the dominant PFAA in prey fish and sediment. In effluent, different mixtures of PFAAs were measured, with PFOS, PFHxA, and PFOA detected in the highest concentrations. Polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters (PFCA-precursors) were observed at concentrations over an order of magnitude higher than PFCAs in sediment, highlighting their importance as a potential, on-going source of PFCAs to SF Bay wildlife. These findings suggest that the PFOS phase-out has resulted in reduced burdens to wildlife in SF Bay, but that exposure to diverse and incompletely characterized PFASs continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret D Sedlak
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, 4911 Central Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Adam Wong
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, 4911 Central Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Richard Grace
- SGS AXYS, 2045 Mills Road West, Sidney, BC V8L 5X2, Canada.
| | - Denise J Greig
- California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
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44
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Groffen T, Lopez-Antia A, D'Hollander W, Prinsen E, Eens M, Bervoets L. Perfluoroalkylated acids in the eggs of great tits (Parus major) near a fluorochemical plant in Flanders, Belgium. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 228:140-148. [PMID: 28528261 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are highly persistent substances which have been detected in wildlife around the world, including birds. Although bird eggs have often been used to determine and monitor PFAAs levels in the marine environment, this has rarely been done in the terrestrial environment. In the present study we examined the concentrations and composition profile of 12 PFAAs (4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and 8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the eggs of great tits (Parus major) collected at a fluorochemical plant and in three other areas, representing a gradient in distance from the pollution source (from 1 to 70 km), in Antwerp, Belgium. The PFSA concentrations measured at the site of the fluorochemical plant were among the highest ever reported in eggs with median concentrations of 10380 ng/g (extrapolated), 99.3 ng/g and 47.7 ng/g for PFOS, PFHxS and PFDS respectively. Furthermore, the median concentration of 19.8 ng/g for PFOA was also among the highest ever reported in bird eggs. Although these concentrations decreased sharply with distance from the fluorochemical plant, levels found in the adjacent sites were still high compared to what has been reported in literature. Moreover, based on what is known in literature, it is likely that these concentrations may cause toxicological effects. PFOS was the dominant contributor to the PFSA and PFAAs (63.4-97.6%) profile at each site, whereas for PFCAs this was PFOA at the plant site and the nearest locations (41.0-52.8%) but PFDoA (37.7%) at the farthest location. Although there is some evidence that PFAAs concentrations close to the plant site are decreasing in comparison with earlier measurements, which may be due to the phase out of PFOS, more research is necessary to understand the extent of the toxicological effects in the vicinity of this PFAAs hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicology Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Ana Lopez-Antia
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Wendy D'Hollander
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicology Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Els Prinsen
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicology Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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45
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Lopez-Antia A, Dauwe T, Meyer J, Maes K, Bervoets L, Eens M. High levels of PFOS in eggs of three bird species in the neighbourhood of a fluoro-chemical plant. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 139:165-171. [PMID: 28135663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We studied perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) levels in the eggs of three primarily invertivorous bird species sampled in 2006 near a fluoro-chemical plant: the great tit (Parus major), the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and the Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus). Our study reported some of the highest PFOS levels ever measured in wildlife to date (i.e. up to 46182ng/g ww in lapwing eggs). A pronounced decrease in PFOS concentration in the Northern lapwing eggs with distance from the fluoro-chemical plant was found. A similar relationship was found for the great tit, with eggs being collected close to the fluoro-chemical plant having significantly higher PFOS levels than eggs collected 1700m further away. When comparing the PFOS levels in eggs for the three species, collected between 1700 and 5500m no significant differences were observed. In addition, when comparing PFOS levels in eggs between Northern lapwing and great tits closer to the plant (900-1700m) no significant differences were found neither. Despite the high levels found in great tit eggs, plasmatic biochemical biomarker responses did not appear to be affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lopez-Antia
- Behavioral Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Systemic Physiological & Ecotoxicological Research, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgelaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Dauwe
- Behavioral Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Johan Meyer
- Systemic Physiological & Ecotoxicological Research, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgelaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Koen Maes
- Behavioral Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Systemic Physiological & Ecotoxicological Research, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgelaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological & Ecotoxicological Research, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgelaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioral Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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46
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Faxneld S, Berger U, Helander B, Danielsson S, Miller A, Nyberg E, Persson JO, Bignert A. Temporal Trends and Geographical Differences of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Baltic Sea Herring and White-Tailed Sea Eagle Eggs in Sweden. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:13070-13079. [PMID: 27775331 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Temporal and spatial trends of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were investigated in Baltic Sea herring liver (Clupea harengus) from three sites, and white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs (Haliaeetus albicilla) from two freshwater and two marine areas in Sweden. Trends of most quantifiable PFAAs increased over the monitored period (1980-2014 in herring, 1960s/1980s-2010 in WTSE). No significant decreasing trends were observed for the most recent ten years for any substances, except perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA). Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFOS) in herring showed a distinct decreasing spatial trend moving from the more southern site toward the more northern site, indicating main input of PFOS into the southern Baltic Sea. For WTSE, PFOS concentration was higher in the marine compared to the freshwater environment, explained by the cumulative historic contamination of the Baltic Sea. Similarly, concentrations in WTSE were lower in the northern part of the Baltic Sea compared to further south. Concentrations of PFUnDA, representing long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), showed a more homogeneous spatial distribution compared to PFOS for both herring and WTSE, indicating that atmospheric inputs (via precursors) of the long-chain PFCAs are important contributors in the study areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Faxneld
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Björn Helander
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Danielsson
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aroha Miller
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Nyberg
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan-Olov Persson
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Bignert
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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47
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Gewurtz SB, Martin PA, Letcher RJ, Burgess NM, Champoux L, Elliott JE, Weseloh DVC. Spatio-temporal trends and monitoring design of perfluoroalkyl acids in the eggs of gull (Larid) species from across Canada and parts of the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 565:440-450. [PMID: 27183458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A large spatial dataset of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) concentrations in eggs of herring gulls (Larus argentatus or congeneric species) collected from late April to early June between 2009 and 2014 from 28 colonies across Canada and parts of the Unites States was used to evaluate location-specific patterns in chemical concentrations and to generate hypotheses on the major sources affecting PFAA distributions. The highly bioaccumulative perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as well as other perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) showed the greatest concentrations in eggs from the lower Great Lakes of southern Ontario as well as from the St. Lawrence River. Despite the 2000 to 2002 phase-out of PFOS and related C8 chemistry by the major manufacturer at the time, ongoing losses from consumer products during use and disposal in urban/industrial locations continue to be major sources to the environment and are influencing the spatial trends of PFOS in Canada. In comparison to PFOS, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were not as concentrated in eggs in close proximity to urbanized/industrialized centers, but had surprisingly elevated levels in relatively remote regions such as Great Slave Lake, NT and East Bay in Hudson Bay, NU. The present results support the hypothesis that atmospheric transport and degradation of precursor chemicals, such as the fluorotelomer alcohols 8:2 FTOH and 10:2 FTOH, are influencing the spatial trends of PFCAs in Canada. A power analysis conducted on a representative urbanized/industrialized colony in the Toronto Harbour, ON, and a relatively remote colony in Lake Superior, emphasized the importance of consistent and long-term data collection in order to detect the anticipated changes in PFAA concentrations in Canadian gull eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela A Martin
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Neil M Burgess
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Louise Champoux
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Québec City, QC G1J 0C3, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, BC V4K 3Y3, Canada
| | - D V Chip Weseloh
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Downsview, ON M3H 5T4, Canada
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48
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Eriksson U, Roos A, Lind Y, Hope K, Ekblad A, Kärrman A. Comparison of PFASs contamination in the freshwater and terrestrial environments by analysis of eggs from osprey (Pandion haliaetus), tawny owl (Strix aluco), and common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 149:40-47. [PMID: 27174782 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The level of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) contamination in freshwater and terrestrial Swedish environments in 2013/2014 was assessed by analyzing a range of perfluorinated alkyl acids, fluorotelomer acids, sulfonamides, sulfonamidoethanols and polyfluoralkyl phosphate diesters (diPAPs) in predator bird eggs. Stable isotopes ((13)C and (15)N) were analyzed to elucidate the dietary source. The tawny owl (Strix aluco, n=10) and common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus, n=40), two terrestrial species, and the osprey (Pandion haliaetus, n=30), a freshwater specie were included. In addition, a temporal trend (1997-2001, 2008-2009, 2013) in osprey was studied as well. The PFAS profile was dominated by perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in eggs from osprey and tawny owl, while for common kestrel perfluorinated carboxylic acids (∑PFCA) exceeded the level of PFOS. PFOS concentration in osprey eggs remained at the same level between 1997 and 2001 and 2013. For the long-chained PFCAs, there were a significant increase in concentrations in osprey eggs between 1997 and 2001 and 2008-2009. The levels of PFOS and PFCAs were about 10 and five times higher, respectively, in osprey compared to tawny owl and common kestrel. Evidence of direct exposure from PFCA precursor compounds to birds in both freshwater and terrestrial environment was observed. Low levels of diPAPs were detected in a few samples of osprey (<0.02-2.4ng/g) and common kestrel (<0.02-0.16ng/g) eggs, and 6:2 FTSA was detected in a majority of the osprey eggs (<6.3-52ng/g). One saturated telomer acid (7:3 FTCA), which is a transformation marker from precursor exposure, was detected in all species (<0.24-2.7ng/g). The (15)N data showed higher levels in osprey eggs compared to tawny owl and common kestrel, indicating that they feed on a 2-3 times higher trophic level. We conclude that ospreys are continuously exposed to PFAS at levels where adverse toxic effects have been observed in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Eriksson
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Anna Roos
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ylva Lind
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kjell Hope
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Alf Ekblad
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
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49
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López-Doval S, Salgado R, Lafuente A. The expression of several reproductive hormone receptors can be modified by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in adult male rats. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 155:488-497. [PMID: 27151425 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.04.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible role of several reproductive hormone receptors on the disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis activity induced by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The studied receptors are the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHr), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHr), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHr), and the androgen receptor (Ar). Adult male rats were orally treated with 1.0; 3.0 and 6.0 mg of PFOS kg(-1) d(-1) for 28 days. In general terms, PFOS can modify the relative gene and protein expressions of these receptors in several tissues of the reproductive axis. At the testicular level, apart from the expected inhibition of both gene and protein expressions of FSHr and Ar, PFOS also stimulates the GnRHr protein and the LHr gene expression. The receptors of the main hormones involved in the HPT axis may have an important role in the disruption exerted by PFOS on this axis.
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MESH Headings
- Alkanesulfonic Acids/chemistry
- Alkanesulfonic Acids/pharmacology
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Fluorocarbons/chemistry
- Fluorocarbons/pharmacology
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Receptors, FSH/genetics
- Receptors, FSH/metabolism
- Receptors, LH/genetics
- Receptors, LH/metabolism
- Receptors, LHRH/genetics
- Receptors, LHRH/metabolism
- Reproduction/drug effects
- Testis/drug effects
- Testis/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- S López-Doval
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Sciences School, University of Vigo, Las Lagunas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - R Salgado
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Sciences School, University of Vigo, Las Lagunas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - A Lafuente
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Sciences School, University of Vigo, Las Lagunas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
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