1
|
Mehdi Q, Griffin EK, Esplugas J, Gelsleichter J, Galloway AS, Frazier BS, Timshina AS, Grubbs RD, Correia K, Camacho CG, Bowden JA. Species-specific profiles of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in small coastal sharks along the South Atlantic Bight of the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171758. [PMID: 38521272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171758] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained widespread commercial use across the globe in various industrial and consumer products, such as textiles, firefighting foams, and surface coating materials. Studies have shown that PFAS exhibit a strong tendency to accumulate within aquatic food webs, primarily due to their high bioaccumulation potential and resistance to degradation. Despite such concerns, their impact on marine predators like sharks remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the presence of 34 PFAS in the plasma (n = 315) of four small coastal sharks inhabiting the South Atlantic Bight of the United States (U.S). Among the sharks studied, bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) had the highest ∑PFAS concentration (3031 ± 1674 pg g - 1 plasma, n = 103), followed by the Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, 2407 ± 969 pg g - 1, n = 101), blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus, 1713 ± 662 pg g - 1, n = 83) and finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon, 1431 ± 891 pg g - 1, n = 28). Despite declines in the manufacturing of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the long-chain (C8 - C13) perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were frequently detected, with PFOS, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) present as the most dominant PFAS. Furthermore, males exhibited significantly higher ∑PFAS concentrations than females in bonnetheads (p < 0.01), suggesting possible sex-specific PFAS accumulation or maternal offloading in some species. The results of this study underscore the urgency for more extensive biomonitoring of PFAS in aquatic/marine environments to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the impact and fate of these emerging pollutants on marine fauna.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qaim Mehdi
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Juliette Esplugas
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jim Gelsleichter
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ashley S Galloway
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Bryan S Frazier
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Alina S Timshina
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - R Dean Grubbs
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University 3618 Highway 98, St. Teresa, FL 32358, USA
| | - Keyla Correia
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Camden G Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Marciano J, Crawford L, Mukhopadhyay L, Scott W, McElroy A, McDonough C. Per/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in a Marine Apex Predator (White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2024; 4:152-161. [PMID: 38765060 PMCID: PMC11100321 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous, highly persistent anthropogenic chemicals that bioaccumulate and biomagnify in aquatic food webs and are associated with adverse health effects, including liver and kidney diseases, cancers, and immunosuppression. We investigated the accumulation of PFASs in a marine apex predator, the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Muscle (N = 12) and blood plasma (N = 27) samples were collected from 27 sharks during 2018-2021 OCEARCH expeditions along the eastern coast of North America from Nova Scotia to Florida. Samples were analyzed for 47 (plasma) and 43 (muscle) targeted PFASs and screened for >2600 known and novel PFASs using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates with carbon chain-length C11 to C14 were frequently detected above the method reporting limits in plasma samples, along with perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorodecanesulfonate. Perfluoropentadecanoate was also detected in 100% of plasma samples and concentrations were estimated semiquantitatively as no analytical standard was available. Total concentrations of frequently detected PFASs in plasma ranged from 0.56 to 2.9 ng mL-1 (median of 1.4 ng mL-1). In muscle tissue, nine targeted PFASs were frequently detected, with total concentration ranging from 0.20 to 0.84 ng g-1 ww. For all frequently detected PFASs, concentrations were greater in plasma than in muscle collected from the same organism. In both matrices, perfluorotridecanoic acid was the most abundant PFAS, consistent with several other studies. PFASs with similar chain-lengths correlated significantly among the plasma samples, suggesting similar sources. Total concentrations of PFASs in plasma were significantly greater in sharks sampled off of Nova Scotia than all sharks from other locations, potentially due to differences in diet. HRMS suspect screening tentatively identified 13 additional PFASs in plasma, though identification confidence was low, as no MS/MS fragmentation was collected due to low intensities. The widespread detection of long-chain PFASs in plasma and muscle of white sharks highlights the prevalence and potential biomagnification of these compounds in marine apex predators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Marciano
- Department
of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Lisa Crawford
- School
of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony
Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Leenia Mukhopadhyay
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Wesley Scott
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Anne McElroy
- School
of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony
Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Carrie McDonough
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Villagómez-Vélez SI, Noreña-Barroso E, Galván-Magaña F, González-Armas R, Rodríguez-Fuentes G, Marmolejo-Rodríguez AJ. Persistent Organic Pollutants in Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Skin Biopsies from Bahía de Los Ángeles, Mexico. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 112:18. [PMID: 38141110 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-023-03841-2] [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: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a filter-feeding organism that can be considered a sentinel species, and Bahía de los Ángeles (BLA) in the Gulf of California is an important sighting site for these elasmobranchs. This filter-feeding organism can be considered a pollutant sampler from the marine environment. Persistent organic pollutants are toxic compounds with high mobility and environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. Among these are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The present work aimed to determine concentrations of PAHs and OCPs in whale shark skin biopsies, collected in 2021 at BLA. Mean detected levels of PAHs and OCPs were 279.4 ng/g dw (dry weight) and 1478.1 ng/g dw, respectively. Analysis of similarities between the ordered sizes (4.2-7.6 m) and the concentrations of PAHs and OCPs indicated no significant differences. Individual PAHs detected indicate pyrogenic and petrogenic sources; the presence of pesticides at levels higher than those of hydrocarbons may be related to agricultural activity in the areas surrounding the Baja California peninsula. This study is the first report of PAH levels in R. typus for the Gulf of California and Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Itzel Villagómez-Vélez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional S/N, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Elsa Noreña-Barroso
- Unidad de Química en Sisal, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto de Abrigo S/N, 97356, Sisal, Yucatán, México.
- Laboratorio Nacional de Resiliencia Costera (LANRESC), Puerto de Abrigo S/N, 97356, Sisal, Yucatán, México.
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional S/N, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Rogelio González-Armas
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional S/N, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Gabriela Rodríguez-Fuentes
- Unidad de Química en Sisal, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto de Abrigo S/N, 97356, Sisal, Yucatán, México
| | - Ana Judith Marmolejo-Rodríguez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional S/N, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Boldrocchi G, Villa B, Monticelli D, Spanu D, Magni G, Pachner J, Mastore M, Bettinetti R. Zooplankton as an indicator of the status of contamination of the Mediterranean Sea and temporal trends. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115732. [PMID: 37913563 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115732] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Zooplankton has been intensively used as bioindicators of water pollution at global level, however, only few comprehensive studies have been conducted from the Mediterranean Sea and manly dated back to the 1970s. To redress the urgent need for updated data, this study provides information on the presence and levels of contaminants in zooplankton from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Although banned, both PCBs (46.9 ± 37.2 ng g-1) and DDT (8.9 ± 10.7 ng g-1) are still present and widespread, but their contamination appears to be a local problem and to be declining over the past 50 years. Zooplankton accumulates high levels of certain TEs, including Zn (400 ± 388 ppm) and Pb (35.3 ± 45.5 ppm), but shows intermediate concentrations of other TEs, including Cd (1.6 ± 0.9 ppm) and Hg (0.1 ± 0.1 ppm), comparing with both strongly polluted and more pristine marine habitats, which may reflect a general improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Boldrocchi
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy; One Ocean Foundation, Via Gesù 10, 20121 Milan, Italy.
| | - B Villa
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy; One Ocean Foundation, Via Gesù 10, 20121 Milan, Italy
| | - D Monticelli
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
| | - D Spanu
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
| | - G Magni
- One Ocean Foundation, Via Gesù 10, 20121 Milan, Italy
| | - J Pachner
- One Ocean Foundation, Via Gesù 10, 20121 Milan, Italy
| | - M Mastore
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - R Bettinetti
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Impellitteri F, Multisanti CR, Rusanova P, Piccione G, Falco F, Faggio C. Exploring the Impact of Contaminants of Emerging Concern on Fish and Invertebrates Physiology in the Mediterranean Sea. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:767. [PMID: 37372052 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
In this historical context, the Mediterranean Sea faces an increasing threat from emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, pesticides and microplastics, which pose a serious risk to the environment and human health. In this regard, aquatic invertebrates and fish are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these pollutants, and several species have been identified as bio-indicators for their detection. Among these, bivalve molluscs and elasmobranchs are now widely used as bio-indicators to accurately assess the effects of contaminants. The study focuses on the catshark Scyliorhinus canicular and on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The first one is a useful indicator of localised contamination levels due to its exposure to pollutants that accumulate on the seabed. Moreover, it has a high trophic position and plays an important role in the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem. The bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis, on the other hand, being a filter-feeding organism, can acquire and bioaccumulate foreign particles present in its environment. Additionally, because it is also a species of commercial interest, it has a direct impact on human health. In conclusion, the increasing presence of emerging pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Bivalve molluscs and elasmobranchs are two examples of bio-indicators that must be used to precisely determine the effects of these pollutants on the marine ecosystem and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Impellitteri
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Viale Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristiana Roberta Multisanti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Polina Rusanova
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA)-Marine Biology and Fisheries Laboratory of Fano (PU), University of Bologna, 61032 Bologna, Italy
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM)-CNR, L. Vaccara, 91026 Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piccione
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Viale Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Falco
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM)-CNR, L. Vaccara, 91026 Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boldrocchi G, Monticelli D, Bettinetti R. To what extent are filter feeder elasmobranchs exposed to marine pollution? A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120881. [PMID: 36528198 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Filter feeding elasmobranchs may be considered as biological indicators of marine pollution, despite most of these species are under some degree of extinction risk. Among threats to this taxonomic group, marine pollution might represent an additional concern for their survival. In this review, a comprehensive systematic search of scientific literature on pollutants in filter feeding elasmobranchs was conducted to evaluate the bioaccumulation patterns, and risk for human consumers. We found that, despite an increasing trend in the number of published studies, the geographical coverage is still very limited and most of the studies focused solely on trace elements (70.8%). Among sharks, Rhincodon typus was the most represented species (66.7%), while Mobula mobular the most studied ray species (41.7%). Comparing the levels of pollutants in filter feeders between ocean basins, this review highlighted that Hg, As and Cd levels are mostly higher in those areas affected by both strong natural and anthropogenic source of emissions, such as the Indian Ocean. With regards to OCs, ΣPCB levels in muscle of C. maximus were between 4.3 and 50.5 μg kg-1 ww, highlighting a persistent contamination of PCB in the Mediterranean Sea. Some species exceeded the maximum allowable limits for foodstuff consumption for As, Cd and Pb. A total of 77.8% of the analyzed species exceeded the Environmental Quality Standards for Hg, while they were always below the EQSbiota for HCB, PBDEs, PFOS and DDT. Given their feeding mechanism that continuously samples the marine environment, further investigations are urgently needed to determine not only the extent of contaminant exposure in different hotspot locations but also the risks posed to the elasmobranch health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Boldrocchi
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy.
| | - D Monticelli
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
| | - R Bettinetti
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
| |
Collapse
|