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Savvidou EK, Sha B, Salter ME, Cousins IT, Johansson JH. Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in the Water Column of the Atlantic Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2023; 10:418-424. [PMID: 37181535 PMCID: PMC10173459 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are widely distributed in the oceans which are their largest global reservoir, but knowledge is limited about their vertical distribution and fate. This study measured the concentrations of PFAAs (perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with 6 to 11 carbons and perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids (PFSAs) with 6 and 8 carbons) in the surface and deep ocean. Seawater depth profiles from the surface to a 5000 m depth at 28 sampling stations were collected in the Atlantic Ocean from ∼50° N to ∼50° S. The results demonstrated PFAA input from the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel. Elevated PFAA concentrations were observed at the eastern edge of the Northern Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, suggesting that persistent contaminants may accumulate in ocean gyres. The median ΣPFAA surface concentration in the Northern Hemisphere (n = 17) was 105 pg L-1, while for the Southern Hemisphere (n = 11) it was 28 pg L-1. Generally, PFAA concentrations decreased with increasing distance to the coast and increasing depth. The C6-C9 PFCAs and C6 and C8 PFSAs dominated in surface waters, while longer-chain PFAAs (C10-C11 PFCAs) peaked at intermediate depths (500-1500 m). This profile may be explained by stronger sedimentation of longer-chain PFAAs, as they sorb more strongly to particulate organic matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni K. Savvidou
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Sha
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Salter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin
Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jana H. Johansson
- Department
of Thematic Studies − Environmental Change, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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2
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Saliu F, Lasagni M, Andò S, Ferrero L, Pellegrini C, Calafat A, Sanchez-Vidal A. A baseline assessment of the relationship between microplastics and plasticizers in sediment samples collected from the Barcelona continental shelf. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:36311-36324. [PMID: 36547830 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24772-1] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that the seafloor may be a sink for the plastic debris that enters the ocean. Therefore, the collection of data in the seafloor sediments regarding the co-presence of microplastics (MPs) and contaminants associated to plastic is considered a relevant topic. However, the number of studies addressing their possible correlation in this environment is still limited, and very little is known about the mechanisms that determine the release of plastic additives from plastic items. Starting from this basis, we investigated the presence of MPs and eleven phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in the continental shelf offshore Barcelona. Following a shelf-slope continuum approach, we sampled sediments from five stations, and we performed analysis by means of infrared micro spectroscopy (µFTIR) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). MPs were found to range from 62.0 to 931.1 items/kg d.w. with maximum concentration in the submarine canyon Besòs and at the highest depth. Moreover, different trends in the size distribution of fibers and non-fibers were observed, indicating the occurrence of a size dependent selection mechanism during transport and accumulation. PAEs resulted comprised between 1.35 to 2.41 mg/kg with Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) the most abundant congeners (1.04 mg/kg). Statistical analysis revealed no correlation between the Σ11PAEs and the total MPs concentration, but correlation between DEHP and fibers (σ = 0.667, p = 0,037), that resulted both correlated to the distance to the coast (ρ = 0.941 with p = 0,008 and ρ = 0.673 with p = 0.035, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saliu
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy.
| | - Marina Lasagni
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Andò
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Ferrero
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudio Pellegrini
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto Di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Venice, Italy
| | - Antoni Calafat
- Department of Earth and Ocean Dynamics, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Sanchez-Vidal
- Department of Earth and Ocean Dynamics, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Munschy C, Spitz J, Bely N, Héas-Moisan K, Olivier N, Pollono C, Chouvelon T. A large diversity of organohalogen contaminants reach the meso- and bathypelagic organisms in the Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114180. [PMID: 36183511 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Deep-sea ecosystems play a key role in the cycling and vertical transfer of matter and energy in oceans. Although the contamination of deep-sea demersal and benthic organisms by persistent organic pollutants has been proven, deep pelagic species have been far less studied. To fill these gaps, we studied the occurrence of a large variety of hydrophobic organic contaminants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), legacy and alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in crustaceans and fish species collected in the Bay of Biscay, northeast Atlantic. The results highlighted the global predominance of PCBs in fish, followed by OCPs, PFASs and PBDEs, with highly variable concentrations among species. Most of the chlorinated or brominated contaminants showed increasing concentrations with increasing δ15N values, while most PFASs showed inverse trends. The contaminant profiles and diagnostic ratios revealed species-specific metabolic capacities and peculiar contribution of highly-brominated BFRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Munschy
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France.
| | - J Spitz
- Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372, Université de La Rochelle / CNRS, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France; Observatoire PELAGIS, UAR 3462, Université de La Rochelle / CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - N Bely
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - K Héas-Moisan
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - N Olivier
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - C Pollono
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - T Chouvelon
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France; Observatoire PELAGIS, UAR 3462, Université de La Rochelle / CNRS, 17000 La Rochelle, France
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4
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Spindola Vilela CL, Damasceno TL, Thomas T, Peixoto RS. Global qualitative and quantitative distribution of micropollutants in the deep sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 307:119414. [PMID: 35598814 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119414] [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: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Micropollutants (MPs) include a wide range of biological disruptors that can be toxic to wildlife and humans at very low concentrations (<1 μg/L). These mainly anthropogenic pollutants have been widely detected in different areas of the planet, including the deep sea, and have impacts on marine life. Because of this potential toxicity, the global distribution, quantity, incidence, and potential impacts of deep-sea MPs were investigated in a systematic review of the literature. The results showed that MPs have reached different zones of the ocean and are more frequently reported in the Northern Hemisphere, where higher concentrations are found. MPs are also concentrated in depths up to 3000 m, where they are also more frequently studied, but also extend deeper than 10,000 m. Potentially toxic metals (PTMs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), organotins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified as the most prevalent and widely distributed MPs at ≥200 m depth. PTMs are widely distributed in the deep sea in high concentrations; aluminum is the most prevalent up to 3000 m depth, followed by zinc and copper. PCBs, organotins, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), PAHs, and phenols were detected accumulated in both organisms and environmental samples above legislated thresholds or known toxicity levels. Our assessment indicated that the deep sea can be considered a sink for MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caren Leite Spindola Vilela
- Department of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Taissa Lopes Damasceno
- Department of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Raquel Silva Peixoto
- Department of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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5
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Griffin EK, Aristizabal-Henao J, Timshina A, Ditz HL, Camacho CG, da Silva BF, Coker ES, Deliz Quiñones KY, Aufmuth J, Bowden JA. Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast of Brevard County, FL, reveals distinct spatial clusters. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 301:134478. [PMID: 35367496 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a class of highly stable and extensively manufactured anthropogenic chemicals that have been linked to a variety of adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. These compounds are ubiquitously distributed in the environment and have been measured in aquatic systems globally. However, there are limited data on longitudinal comprehensive assessments of PFAS profiles within sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Surface water samples were collected from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and the Atlantic coast within Brevard County (BC), FL in December of 2019 (n = 57) and again from corresponding locations in February of 2021 (n = 40). Samples were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to determine the occurrence, concentration, and distribution of 92 PFAS. No significant difference in total PFAS concentrations were identified between samples collected in 2019 (87 ng/L) and those collected in 2021 (77 ng/L). However, comparisons of PFAS among four natural sub-regions within Brevard County revealed site- and regional-specific differences. The Banana River exhibited the greatest concentration of total PFAS, followed by the southern Indian River, the northern Indian River, and then the Atlantic coast. Six distinct PFAS profiles were identified with the novel application of multivariate statistical cluster analysis, which may be useful for identifying potential sources of PFAS. Elevated total PFAS and unique compound mixtures identified in the Banana River are most likely a result of industrial discharge and extensive historical use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). The environmental persistence of PFAS threatens key ecosystem services and the ecological homeostasis of the Indian River Lagoon - the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. Brevard County offers a unique model site that may be used to investigate potential exposure and health implications for wildlife and adjacent coastal communities, which could be extrapolated to better understand and manage other critical coastal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | | | - Alina Timshina
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Heather L Ditz
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Camden G Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States.
| | - Bianca F da Silva
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Eric S Coker
- College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Katherine Y Deliz Quiñones
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Joe Aufmuth
- George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
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Joudan S, De Silva AO, Young CJ. Insufficient evidence for the existence of natural trifluoroacetic acid. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1641-1649. [PMID: 34693963 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00306b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a persistent and mobile pollutant that is present ubiquitously in the environment. As a result of a few studies reporting its presence in pre-industrial samples and a purported unaccounted source, TFA is often claimed to exist naturally. Here, we examine the evidence for natural TFA by: (i) critically evaluating measurements of TFA in pre-industrial samples; (ii) examining the likelihood of TFA formation by hypothesized mechanisms; (iii) exploring other potential TFA sources to the deep ocean; and (iv) examining global budgets of TFA. We conclude that the presence of TFA in the deep ocean and lack of closed TFA budget is not sufficient evidence that TFA occurs naturally, especially without a reasonable mechanism of formation. We argue the paradigm of natural TFA should no longer be carried forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Joudan
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cora J Young
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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7
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Dominguez-Carrió C, Sanchez-Vidal A, Estournel C, Corbera G, Riera JL, Orejas C, Canals M, Gili JM. Seafloor litter sorting in different domains of Cap de Creus continental shelf and submarine canyon (NW Mediterranean Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 161:111744. [PMID: 33171412 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111744] [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: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed litter occurrence in 68 underwater video transects performed on the middle/outer continental shelf and submarine canyon off Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean), an area recently declared Site of Community Importance (SCI). Low densities of urban litter were registered on the shelf (7.2 items ha-1), increasing in abundance towards the deepest part of the submarine canyon, with 188 items ha-1 below 1000 m depth. We hypothesize that the strong bottom currents that recurrently affect this area efficiently move litter objects from the shelf towards the deep. Of all litter items, approximately 50% had a fishing-related origin, mostly longlines entangled on rocks in the canyon head and discarded trawl nets in deeper areas. Over 10% of cold-water colonies observed had longlines entangled, indicating the harmful effects of such practices over benthic habitats. These results should be considered when designing mitigation measures to reduce litter pollution in Cap de Creus SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Sanchez-Vidal
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claude Estournel
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), CNRS/UPS/CNES/IRD, Avenue Edouard Belin 14, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Guillem Corbera
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Lluís Riera
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Covadonga Orejas
- Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), Oceanographic Centre of the Balearics (COB), Ecosystem Oceanography Group (GRECO), Moll de Ponent s/n, 07015 Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Canals
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep-Maria Gili
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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8
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van der Schyff V, Kwet Yive NSC, Polder A, Cole NC, Bouwman H. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tern eggs from St. Brandon's Atoll, Indian Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 154:111061. [PMID: 32174506 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111061] [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: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic fluorinated compounds of concern for human and environmental health. There is no data on PFAS concentrations in marine bird eggs from the Western Indian Ocean. We analysed eight PFAS in eggs of fairy terns (Gygis alba), sooty terns (Onychoprion fuscatus), and common noddies (Anous stolidus) from St. Brandon's Atoll. Fairy tern eggs contained the highest concentrations, followed by sooty terns and common noddies. Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) had the highest mean concentration (2.3 ng/g wm), followed by perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (2.0 ng/g wm), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (0.93 ng/g wm) in fairy tern eggs. Concentrations of all PFAS were lower than values found in literature. PFOS and PFOA concentrations were three orders of magnitude lower than toxicity reference values and levels of lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level concentrations. Eggs from St. Brandon's would be useful to monitor background changes on a regional and perhaps global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica van der Schyff
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | | | - Anuschka Polder
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nik C Cole
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey Channel Islands, UK; Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Hindrik Bouwman
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Zhang X, Lohmann R, Sunderland EM. Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Seawater and Plankton from the Northwestern Atlantic Margin. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12348-12356. [PMID: 31565932 PMCID: PMC6992416 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The ocean is thought to be the terminal sink for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have been produced and released in large quantities for more than 60 years. Regulatory actions have curbed production of legacy compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but impacts of regulations on PFAS releases to the marine environment are poorly understood. Here, we report new data for 21 targeted PFAS in seawater and plankton from the coast, shelf, and slope of the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean. We find strong inverse correlations between salinity and concentrations of most PFAS, indicating that ongoing continental discharges are the major source to the marine environment. For legacy PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA, a comparison of inland and offshore measurements from the same year (2014) suggests that there are ongoing releases to the marine environment from sources such as submarine groundwater discharges. Vertical transport of most PFAS associated with settling particles from the surface (10 m) to deeper waters is small compared to advective transport except for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; 35% of vertical flux) and precursor compounds to PFOS (up to 86%). We find higher than expected bioaccumulation factors (BAFs = Cplankton/Cwater) for perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with five and six carbons (log BAF = 2.9-3.4) and linear PFOS (log BAF = 2.6-4.3) in marine plankton compared to PFCAs with 7-11 carbons. We postulate that this reflects additional contributions from precursor compounds. Known precursor compounds detected here have among the highest BAFs (log BAF > 3.0) for all PFAS in this study, suggesting that additional research on the bioaccumulation potential of unknown organofluorine compounds is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianming Zhang
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston MA USA 02115
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston MA USA 02115
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10
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González-Gaya B, Casal P, Jurado E, Dachs J, Jiménez B. Vertical transport and sinks of perfluoroalkyl substances in the global open ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:1957-1969. [PMID: 31393489 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00266a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the open ocean has been previously documented, but their vertical transport and oceanic sinks have not been comprehensively characterized and quantified at the oceanic scale. During the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation expedition, 21 PFAS were measured at the surface and at the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. In this work, we report an extended data set of PFAS dissolved phase concentrations at the DCM. ∑PFAS at the DCM varied from 130 to 11 000 pg L-1, with a global average value of 500 pg L-1. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) abundance contributed 39% of ∑PFAS, followed by perfluorodecanoate (PFDA, 17%), and perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA, 12%). The relative contribution of the remaining compounds was below 10%, with perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) contributing only 5% to PFAS measured at the DCM. Estimates of vertical diffusivity, derived from microstructure turbulence observations in the upper (<300 m) water column, allowed the derivation of PFAS eddy diffusive fluxes from concurrent field measurements of eddy diffusivity and PFAS concentrations. The PFAS concentrations at the DCM predicted from an eddy diffusivity model were lower than field-measured concentrations, suggesting a relevant role of other vertical transport mechanisms. Settling fluxes of organic matter bound PFAS (biological pump), oceanic circulation and potential, yet un-reported, biological transformations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén González-Gaya
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain. and Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Department of Analytical Chemistry, Plentzia Marine Station of the University of the Basque Country (EHU/UPV), Areatza Pasealekua 47, 48620 Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Paulo Casal
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Elena Jurado
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Engineering Department, La Salle Campus Barcelona, Ramon Llull University (URL), Sant Joan de la Salle, 42, 08022 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Dachs
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
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11
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Yamazaki E, Taniyasu S, Ruan Y, Wang Q, Petrick G, Tanhua T, Gamo T, Wang X, Lam PKS, Yamashita N. Vertical distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances in water columns around the Japan sea and the Mediterranean Sea. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 231:487-494. [PMID: 31151008 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have become an important class of global environmental contaminants, yet their vertical profile in the marine water column is still less understood, especially for the semi-closed seas. In this study, the contamination level and spatial distribution of 8 PFASs were investigated in both surface and vertical water samples from two semi-closed seas, the Japan Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Similar levels and compositions of PFASs were found between these two seas. The vertical profile of PFASs in the Mediterranean Sea was variable while that was relatively steady in the Japan Sea, probably due to their different pollution sources. The accumulation rate of PFASs from the East China Sea to the Japan Sea was calculated, for which perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid were found to have high accumulation potency in both surface and deep water; most of the investigated PFASs were accumulated in the deep water due to the long residence time while they were more likely to escape to the Pacific Ocean in the surface water. This work aimed (i) to study the distribution of PFASs in both surface and vertical water samples in two semi-closed seas, namely the Japan Sea and for the first time the Mediterranean Sea, (ii) to assess the temporal trend in the Japan Sea, and (iii) to firstly investigate the potential transport of PFASs from the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait in order to estimate the inventory of PFASs in whole water mass in the Japan Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Yamazaki
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China; National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8569, Japan
| | - Sachi Taniyasu
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8569, Japan
| | - Yuefei Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gert Petrick
- AIMES GmbH, Kösterberg 10, 24238, Selent, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR), Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Toste Tanhua
- Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR), Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Toshitaka Gamo
- Atmosphere & Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
| | - Xinhong Wang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Paul K S Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nobuyoshi Yamashita
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8569, Japan.
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12
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Sanchez-Vidal A, Thompson RC, Canals M, de Haan WP. The imprint of microfibres in southern European deep seas. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207033. [PMID: 30395638 PMCID: PMC6218086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollution of the marine environment by large and microscopic plastic fragments and their potential impacts on organisms has stimulated considerable research interest and has received widespread publicity. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the fate and effects of microplastic particles that are fibrous in shape, also referred as microfibres, which are mostly shed from synthetic textiles during production or washing. Here we assess composition and abundance of microfibres in seafloor sediments in southern European seas, filling gaps in the limited understanding of the long-range transport and magnitude of this type of microplastic pollution. We report abundances of 10–70 microfibres in 50 ml of sediment, including both natural and regenerated cellulose, and synthetic plastic (polyester, acrylic, polyamide, polyethylene, and polypropylene) fibres. Following a shelf-slope-deep basin continuum approach, based on the relative abundance of fibres it would appear that coastal seas retain around 33% of the sea floor microfibres, but greater quantities of the fibres are exported to the open sea, where they accumulate in sediments. Submarine canyons act as preferential conduits for downslope transport of microfibres, with 29% of the seafloor microfibres compared to 18% found on the open slope. Around 20% of the microfibres found had accumulated in the deep open sea beyond 2000m of water depth. The remoteness of the deep sea does not prevent the accumulation of microfibres, being available to become integrated into deep sea organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sanchez-Vidal
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Richard C Thompson
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Miquel Canals
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - William P de Haan
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Brumovský M, Bečanová J, Karásková P, Nizzetto L. Retention performance of three widely used SPE sorbents for the extraction of perfluoroalkyl substances from seawater. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 193:259-269. [PMID: 29145087 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been detected ubiquitously in the environment. Owing to the polar character conferred by the presence of the carboxylic or sulfonic acid groups and their resistance to degradation, aquatic environments became their major reservoirs, including marine waters. The procedure of PFAS analysis in aqueous matrices consists usually of solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Moreover, passive sampling approach using various SPE sorbents may be applied. This study deals with the assessment of retention characteristics of a selected group of PFASs in marine water on three sorbent media widely used in SPE or passive sampling techniques. The influence of type of sorbent, matrix pH, salinity and eluent on the PFAS recovery from aquatic samples was investigated. The best overall extraction conditions were found to be at pH 8 and 50%/100% matrix seawater content using Oasis® HLB/Strata™-X as SPE sorbents and methanol as eluent. The matrix properties found to be the most appropriate for extraction of investigated PFASs from aqueous samples (i.e., pH and salinity levels) match well the natural properties of marine and brackish waters. Acid-base behavior was found to be the main driver influencing the recovery of PFASs. These research findings can be used to optimize PFAS extraction conditions from aquatic samples and also to develop efficient extraction procedures for multiresidual analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Brumovský
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jitka Bečanová
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Karásková
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Luca Nizzetto
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
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14
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Brumovský M, Karásková P, Borghini M, Nizzetto L. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Western Mediterranean Sea waters. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 159:308-316. [PMID: 27314632 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The spatial and temporal distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the open Western Mediterranean Sea waters was investigated in this study for the first time. In addition to surface water samples, a deep water sample (1390 m depth) collected in the center of the western basin was analyzed. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were detected in all samples and were the dominant PFASs found. The sum of PFAS concentrations (ΣPFASs) ranged 246-515 pg/L for surface water samples. PFASs in surface water had a relatively homogeneous distribution with levels similar to those previously measured in the Atlantic near the Strait of Gibraltar, in water masses feeding the inflow to the Mediterranean Sea. Higher concentrations of PFHxA, PFHpA and PFHxS were, however, found in the present study. Inflowing Atlantic water and river/coastal discharges are likely the major sources of PFASs to the Western Mediterranean basin. Slightly lower (factor of 2) ΣPFASs was found in the deep water sample (141 pg/L). Such a relatively high contamination of deep water is likely to be linked to recurring deep water renewal fed by downwelling events in the Gulf of Lion and/or Ligurian Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Brumovský
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavlína Karásková
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mireno Borghini
- CNR, Ist Sci Marine, I-19032 Pozzuolo di Lerici, La Spezia, Italy
| | - Luca Nizzetto
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D. Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Susana Y. Kimura
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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