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Pollard S, De Silva AO, Simmons DBD. Metabolic, neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects of PFAAs and their mixtures on the proteome of the head kidney and plasma from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172389. [PMID: 38615763 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172389] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
PFAAs (Perfluoroalkyl acids) are a class of bioaccumulative, persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants which primarily occupy the hydrosphere and its sediments. Currently, a paucity of toxicological information exists for short chain PFAAs and complex mixtures. In order to address these knowledge gaps, we performed a 3-week, aqueous exposure of rainbow trout to 3 different concentrations of a PFAA mixture (50, 100 and 500 ng/L) modeled after the composition determined in Lake Ontario. We conducted an additional set of exposures to individual PFAAs (25 nM each of PFOS (12,500 ng/L), PFOA (10,300 ng/L), PFBS (7500 ng/L) or PFBA (5300 ng/L) to evaluate differences in biological response across PFAA congeners. Untargeted proteomics and phosphorylated metabolomics were conducted on the blood plasma and head kidney tissue to evaluate biological response. Plasma proteomic responses to the mixtures revealed several unexpected outcomes including Similar proteomic profiles and biological processes as the PFOS exposure regime while being orders of magnitude lower in concentration and an atypical dose response in terms of the number of significantly altered proteins (FDR < 0.1). Biological pathway analysis revealed the low mixture, medium mixture and PFOS to significantly alter (FDR < 0.05) a number of processes including those involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and the nervous system. We implicate plasma increases in PPARD and PPARG as being directly related to these biological processes as they are known to be important regulators in all 3 processes. In contrast to the blood plasma, the high mixture and PFOA exposure regimes caused the greatest change to the head kidney proteome, altering many proteins being involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. Our findings support the pleiotropic effect PFAAs have on aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant doses including those on PPAR signaling, metabolic dysregulation, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pollard
- Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Wang L, Chen L, Wang J, Hou J, Han B, Liu W. Spatial distribution, compositional characteristics, and source apportionment of legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in farmland soil: A nationwide study in mainland China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134238. [PMID: 38608586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
China, as one of the largest global producers and consumers of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), faces concerning levels of PFAS pollution in soil. However, knowledge of their occurrence in agricultural soils of China on the national scale remains unknown. Herein, the first nationwide survey was done by collecting 352 soil samples from 31 provinces in mainland China. The results indicated that the Σ24PFASs concentrations were 74.3 - 24880.0 pg/g, with mean concentrations of PFASs in decreasing order of legacy PFASs > emerging PFASs > PFAS precursors (640.2 pg/g, 340.7 pg/g, and 154.9 pg/g, respectively). The concentrations in coastal eastern China were distinctly higher than those in inland regions. Tianjin was the most severely PFASs-contaminated province because of rapid urban industrialization. This study further compared the PFAS content in monoculture and multiple cropping farmland soils, finding the concentrations of PFASs were high in soils planted with vegetable and fruit monocultures. Moreover, a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was employed to identify different sources of PFASs. Fluoropolymer industries and aqueous film-forming foams were the primary contributors. The contributions from different emission sources varied across the seven geographical regions. This study provides new baseline data for prevention and control policies for reducing pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Liyuan Chen
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinze Wang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jie Hou
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Bingjun Han
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wenxin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Schröder T, Müller V, Preihs M, Borovička J, Gonzalez de Vega R, Kindness A, Feldmann J. Fluorine mass balance analysis in wild boar organs from the Bohemian Forest National Park. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171187. [PMID: 38408678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171187] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Wild boars have been reported as bioindicators for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a variety of studies. However, data about PFAS levels in wild boars from sites with limited industrial and general human activity is scarce. In this study, wild boar (Sus scrofa) organs from the Bohemian Forest National Park (Czech Republic) were used as bioindicators for PFAS pollution. In this work, 29 livers and 24 kidneys from 30 wild boars (0.5-5 years) were investigated using a fluorine mass balance approach. For this, the samples were measured using high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS), targeting 30 PFAS, including legacy and replacement PFAS, direct total oxidisable precursor assay (dTOPA) and combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) from C7 to C14 and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were detected in >50 % of samples. In the livers, PFCAs dominated the profile with median concentrations of 230 μg/kg for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and 75 μg/kg perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA and PFNA concentrations in the livers were one order of magnitude higher than in livers from wild boars caught in rural NE Germany considered as background concentration. PFOS in liver contributed only 30 % to the Σc(PFASTarget) with a median concentration of 170 μg/kg. Kidneys and livers contain an average of 2460 μg F/kg and 6800 μg F/kg extractable organic fluorine (EOF) respectively. Σc(PFASTarget) add up to a maximum of 10 % of the extractable organic fluorine. After oxidisation of the samples, PFOA, PFNA and Σc(PFASdTOPA) increased in livers, but could not explain the EOF. The elevated concentration of PFOA and PFNA may indicate differences in biomagnification for different habitats or an unidentified PFAS source in proximity to the national park.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Schröder
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Müller
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria; The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Preihs
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Jan Borovička
- Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, CZ-16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Raquel Gonzalez de Vega
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Andrew Kindness
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom; University of KwaZulu Natal, School of Chemistry & Physics, Private Bag X54001, Westville Campus, ZA-4000 Durban, South Africa
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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Cordner A, Brown P, Cousins IT, Scheringer M, Martinon L, Dagorn G, Aubert R, Hosea L, Salvidge R, Felke C, Tausche N, Drepper D, Liva G, Tudela A, Delgado A, Salvatore D, Pilz S, Horel S. PFAS Contamination in Europe: Generating Knowledge and Mapping Known and Likely Contamination with "Expert-Reviewed" Journalism. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6616-6627. [PMID: 38569050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
While the extent of environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has mobilized considerable efforts around the globe in recent years, publicly available data on PFAS in Europe were very limited. In an unprecedented experiment of "expert-reviewed journalism" involving 29 journalists and seven scientific advisers, a cross-border collaborative project, the "Forever Pollution Project" (FPP), drew on both scientific methods and investigative journalism techniques such as open-source intelligence (OSINT) and freedom of information (FOI) requests to map contamination across Europe, making public data that previously had existed as "unseen science". The FPP identified 22,934 known contamination sites, including 20 PFAS manufacturing facilities, and 21,426 "presumptive contamination sites", including 13,745 sites presumably contaminated with fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) discharge, 2911 industrial facilities, and 4752 sites related to PFAS-containing waste. Additionally, the FPP identified 231 "known PFAS users", a new category for sites with an intermediate level of evidence of PFAS use and considered likely to be contamination sources. However, the true extent of contamination in Europe remains significantly underestimated due to a lack of comprehensive geolocation, sampling, and publicly available data. This model of knowledge production and dissemination offers lessons for researchers, policymakers, and journalists about cross-field collaborations and data transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa Cordner
- Department of Sociology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington 99362, United States
| | - Phil Brown
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Catharina Felke
- Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Ressort Investigation, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Derrick Salvatore
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, United States
| | - Sarah Pilz
- Freelance Journalist, Weißenfelder Straße 7, Parsdorf, Munich 85599, Germany
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Li T, Chen Y, Wang Y, Tan Y, Jiang C, Yang Y, Zhang Z. Occurrence, source apportionment and risk assessment of perfluorinated compounds in sediments from the longest river in Asia. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133608. [PMID: 38335613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the pollution of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in sediments from the main stream of the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia. Totally, 13 of 15 PFASs were detected in the sediments and the total concentrations ranged from 0.058 ng/g to 0.89 ng/g dry weight (dw), with dominant contaminants by perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Concentrations of PFASs in the downstream were higher than those of upstream and midstream. Four main sources were analysed using the Unmix model, textile treatments and food packaging dominantly accounted for approximately half of the total sources, followed by metal electroplating (26.8%), fluoropolymer products (16.3%) and fluororesin coatings (7.4%). Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and grain size had significant correlation with the concentration of PFASs in sediments, indicating that the physical and chemical parameters could directly affect the adsorption process of PFASs. In addition, anthropogenic factors such as urbanization rate and per capita GDP also had a direct impact on the distribution of PFASs. Environmental risk assessment showed that PFOS posed low to medium risks to the Yangtze River, indicating that sustained attentions were needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yulin Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yile Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yang Tan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chunxia Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yuyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zulin Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China; The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK.
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6
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Zarębska M, Bajkacz S, Hordyjewicz-Baran Z. Assessment of legacy and emerging PFAS in the Oder River: Occurrence, distribution, and sources. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118608. [PMID: 38447604 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of emerging contaminants, poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the Polish Oder River, aiming to uncover new insights into their environmental impact. The research aimed to identify potential sources of PFAS, assess water quality levels, and verify compliance with European Union environmental quality standards. The concentrations of 25 PFAS (20 legacy and 5 emerging) in 20 samples from intakes upstream and downstream of urban areas were analyzed using novel, developed in these studies, environmental analytical procedures involving solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The presence of 14 PFAS was confirmed, and the concentration of Σ14PFAS ranged from 7.6 to 68.0 ng/L. The main components were short-chain analogs. PFBA was the most abundant, accounting for about one-third of all PFAS detected. An exception was observed in the waters of the Gliwice Canal, where ADONA represented half of the detected Σ14PFAS. Alternative PFOS replacements were found in all samples. In 11 of 20 water samples, environmental quality standards for PFOS exceeded the limit of 0.65 ng/L. In 5 of 9 cases, the ability of urban areas to increase PFAS levels in the river was determined. 9.5%-54.4% share of alternative PFAS in relation to the sum of the targeted PFAS showing their increasing use as substitutes for phased-out PFOS. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify potential sources of PFAS. Analysis revealed that PFAS in the Oder River most likely originated from domestic and agricultural wastewater, as well as chemical industry discharges. However, the occurrence of PFAS in the Oder River is low and comparable to other recent European studies. These findings provide valuable insights for environmental management to mitigate the risks associated with PFAS pollution in Polish rivers. Moreover, the developed analytical procedure provides a valuable tool that can be successfully applied by other researchers to monitor PFAS in rivers around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Zarębska
- Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Inorganic, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, 6 B. Krzywoustego Str., Gliwice, 44-100, Poland; Lukasiewicz Research Network- Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis "Blachownia", 9 Energetyków Str., Kędzierzyn-Koźle, 47-225, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Bajkacz
- Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Inorganic, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, 6 B. Krzywoustego Str., Gliwice, 44-100, Poland.
| | - Zofia Hordyjewicz-Baran
- Lukasiewicz Research Network- Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis "Blachownia", 9 Energetyków Str., Kędzierzyn-Koźle, 47-225, Poland.
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Xu C, Xu C, Zhou Q, Shen C, Peng L, Liu S, Yin S, Li F. Spatial distribution, isomer signature and air-soil exchange of legacy and emerging poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123222. [PMID: 38145639 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123222] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Widespread occurrences of various poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in terrestrial environment calls for the growing interest in their transport behaviors. However, limited studies detected PFAS with structural diversity in tree barks, which reflect the long-term contamination in atmosphere and play a vital role in air-soil exchange behaviors. In this study, 26 PFAS congeners and typical branched isomers were investigated in surface soils and tree barks at 28 sites along the Taihu Lake, Taipu River, and Huangpu River. Concentrations of total PFAS in soils and tree barks were 0.991-29.4 and 7.99-188 ng/g dw, with PFPeA and PFDoA were the largest contributors in the two matrices. The highest PFAS levels were found in the Taihu Lake watershed, where textile manufacturing and metal plating activities highly prosper. With regard to the congener and isomer signatures, short-chain homologs dominated in soils (65.5%), whereas long-chain PFAS showed a major proportion in barks (41.9%). The composition of linear isomers of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS implied that precursor degradation might be an important source of PFAS in addition to the 3M electrochemical fluorination (ECF). Additionally, the distance from the emission source, total organic carbon (TOC), logKOA and logKOW were considered potential influencing factors in PFAS distributions. Based on the multi-media fugacity model, about 71% of the fugacity fraction (ffs) values of the PFAS were below 0.3, indicating the dominant deposition from the atmosphere to the soil. The average fluxes of air-soil exchange for PFAS were -0.700 ± 11.0 ng/(m2·h). Notably, the estimated daily exposure to PFAS ranged from 9.57 × 10-2 to 8.59 × 10-1 ng/kg·bw/day for children and 3.31 × 10-2 to 3.09 × 10-1 ng/kg·bw/day for adults, suggesting low risks from outdoor inhalation and dermal uptake. Overall, results from distribution with structural diversity, air-soil exchange and preliminary risk assessment. This study provided in-depth insight of PFAS in multi-medium environment and bridged gaps between field data and policy-making for pollution control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenye Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chenman Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Chensi Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Leni Peng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Shuren Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Shanshan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Fang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
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Zhang H, Han L, Qiu L, Zhao B, Gao Y, Chu Z, Dai X. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Exposure Compromises Fertility by Affecting Ovarian and Oocyte Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:136. [PMID: 38203307 PMCID: PMC10779064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PFOA, a newly emerging persistent organic pollutant, is widely present in various environmental media. Previous reports have proved that PFOA exposure can accumulate in the ovary and lead to reproductive toxicity in pregnant mice. However, the potential mechanism of PFOA exposure on fertility remains unclear. In this study, we explore how PFOA compromises fertility in the zebrafish. The data show that PFOA (100 mg/L for 15 days) exposure significantly impaired fertilization and hatching capability. Based on tissue sections, we found that PFOA exposure led to ovarian damage and a decrease in the percentage of mature oocytes. Moreover, through in vitro incubation, we determined that PFOA inhibits oocyte development. We also sequenced the transcriptome of the ovary of female zebrafish and a total of 284 overlapping DEGs were obtained. Functional enrichment analysis showed that 284 overlapping DEGs function mainly in complement and coagulation cascades signaling pathways. In addition, we identified genes that may be associated with immunity, such as LOC108191474 and ZGC:173837. We found that exposure to PFOA can cause an inflammatory response that can lead to ovarian damage and delayed oocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaoxin Dai
- School of Fisheries, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China; (H.Z.); (L.H.); (L.Q.); (B.Z.); (Y.G.); (Z.C.)
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Ahrens L, Rakovic J, Ekdahl S, Kallenborn R. Environmental distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on Svalbard: Local sources and long-range transport to the Arctic. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140463. [PMID: 37852382 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The environmental distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water, snow, sediment and soil samples taken along the west coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, Norwegian Arctic, was determined. The contribution of potential local primary sources (wastewater, firefighting training site at Svalbard airport, landfill) to PFAS concentrations and long-range transport (atmosphere, ocean currents) were then compared, based on measured PFAS levels and composition profiles. In remote coastal and inland areas of Spitsbergen, meltwater had the highest mean ΣPFAS concentration (6.5 ± 1.3 ng L-1), followed by surface snow (2.5 ± 1.7 ng L-1), freshwater (2.3 ± 1.1 ng L-1), seawater (1.05 ± 0.64 ng L-1), lake sediments (0.084 ± 0.038 ng g-1 dry weight (dw)) and marine sediments (
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Jelena Rakovic
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7014, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Siri Ekdahl
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Roland Kallenborn
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Christian Magnus Falsens vei 18, 1433 Ås, Norway; University Centre in Svalbard, Box 156, NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Norway
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10
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Bizzotto E, Bonetto A, Marcomini A, Vighi M. Environmental exposure and ecotoxicological properties of a new-generation fluorosurfactant (cC 6 O 4 ): A comparison with selected legacy perfluoroalkyl acids. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2023; 19:1636-1648. [PMID: 37226845 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4794] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic C6 O4 (cC6 O4 , CAS number 1190931-27-1) is a new-generation polyfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) used as a polymerization aid in the synthesis of fluoropolymers, which has been produced in Italy since 2011. A review of the properties of cC6 O4 , focused on environmental distribution and ecotoxicology, was conducted. The EQuilibrium Criterion model was applied, using default environmental scenarios, to estimate environmental distribution and fate. In a situation of static thermodynamic equilibrium in a closed system (Level I), cC6 O4 distributes mainly to water (97.6%) and in a minimal amount to soil (2.3%). In a more realistic scenario (Level III), with dynamic conditions in an open system, with advection in air and water and with equal emissions in air and water, the major amount of the compound is transported through water advection. Monitoring data, mainly referring to surface and groundwater, are available for water bodies close to the production sites (maximum measured concentration 52 μg/L) as well as for a wider area in the river Po watershed with concentrations generally lower than 1 μg/L. Few values are also available for concentration in biota. Effect data indicate low toxicity on all tested organisms with no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values always higher than the maximum concentrations tested (100 mg/L for acute tests). Bioaccumulation potential is also very low. A comparison with selected widely used PFAS with five to eight C atoms indicates that cC6 O4 is substantially less dangerous to aquatic organisms. For the time being, an ecological risk for the aquatic ecosystem may be excluded even in directly exposed ecosystems. However, for a complete assessment of the suitability of cC6 O4 as a substitute for other PFAS (namely, perfluorooctanoic acid), more comprehensive chronic experiments are necessary, to produce realistic NOEC, as well as higher tier experiments (e.g., mesocosms) capable of providing ecologically relevant endpoints. Moreover, a more accurate evaluation of the environmental persistence would be necessary. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1636-1648. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bizzotto
- Foundation Ca' Foscari University, Ca' Dolfin, Venice, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bonetto
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | - Antonio Marcomini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | - Marco Vighi
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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Gkika IS, Xie G, van Gestel CAM, Ter Laak TL, Vonk JA, van Wezel AP, Kraak MHS. Research Priorities for the Environmental Risk Assessment of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2302-2316. [PMID: 37589402 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5729] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of ubiquitously applied persistent industrial chemicals. The field of PFAS environmental research is developing rapidly, but suffers from substantial biases toward specific compounds, environmental compartments, and organisms. The aim of our study was therefore to highlight current developments and to identify knowledge gaps and subsequent research needs that would contribute to a comprehensive environmental risk assessment for PFAS. To this end, we consulted the open literature and databases and found that knowledge of the environmental fate of PFAS is based on the analysis of <1% of the compounds categorized as PFAS. Moreover, soils and suspended particulate matter remain largely understudied. The bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and food web transfer studies of PFAS also focus on a very limited number of compounds and are biased toward aquatic biota, predominantly fish, and less frequently aquatic invertebrates and macrophytes. The available ecotoxicity data revealed that only a few PFAS have been well studied for their environmental hazards, and that PFAS ecotoxicity data are also strongly biased toward aquatic organisms. Ecotoxicity studies in the terrestrial environment are needed, as well as chronic, multigenerational, and community ecotoxicity research, in light of the persistency and bioaccumulation of PFAS. Finally, we identified an urgent need to unravel the relationships among sorption, bioaccumulation, and ecotoxicity on the one hand and molecular descriptors of PFAS chemical structures and physicochemical properties on the other, to allow predictions of exposure, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2302-2316. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna S Gkika
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ge Xie
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A M van Gestel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas L Ter Laak
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - J Arie Vonk
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel H S Kraak
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Wallis DJ, Kotlarz N, Knappe DRU, Collier DN, Lea CS, Reif D, McCord J, Strynar M, DeWitt JC, Hoppin JA. Estimation of the Half-Lives of Recently Detected Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Ethers in an Exposed Community. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15348-15355. [PMID: 37801709 PMCID: PMC10790670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
To estimate half-lives for novel fluoroethers, the GenX Exposure Study obtained two serum measurements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for 44 participants of age 12-86 years from North Carolina, collected 5 and 11 months after fluoroether discharges into the drinking water source were controlled. The estimated half-lives for these compounds were 127 days (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 86, 243 days) for perfluorotetraoxadecanoic acid (PFO4DA), 296 days for Nafion byproduct 2 (95% CI = 176, 924 days), and 379 days (95% CI = 199, 3870 days) for perfluoro-3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic acid (PFO5DoA). Using these estimates and the literature values, a model was built that predicted PFAS half-lives using structural properties. Three chemical properties predicted 55% of the variance of PFAS half-lives based on 15 PFAS. A model with only molecular weight predicted 69% of the variance. Some properties can predict the half-lives of PFAS, but a deeper understanding is needed. These fluoroethers had biological half-lives longer than published half-lives for PFHxA and PFHpA (30-60 days) but shorter than those for PFOA and PFOS (800-1200 days). These are the first and possibly only estimates of human elimination half-lives of these fluoroethers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Wallis
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Nadine Kotlarz
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - David N Collier
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - C Suzanne Lea
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - David Reif
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - James McCord
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Triangle Research Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Mark Strynar
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Triangle Research Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Jamie C DeWitt
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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13
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Khusnutdinova AN, Batyrova KA, Brown G, Fedorchuk T, Chai YS, Skarina T, Flick R, Petit AP, Savchenko A, Stogios P, Yakunin AF. Structural insights into hydrolytic defluorination of difluoroacetate by microbial fluoroacetate dehalogenases. FEBS J 2023; 290:4966-4983. [PMID: 37437000 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16903] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Fluorine forms the strongest single bond to carbon with the highest bond dissociation energy among natural products. However, fluoroacetate dehalogenases (FADs) have been shown to hydrolyze this bond in fluoroacetate under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, two recent studies demonstrated that the FAD RPA1163 from Rhodopseudomonas palustris can also accept bulkier substrates. In this study, we explored the substrate promiscuity of microbial FADs and their ability to defluorinate polyfluorinated organic acids. Enzymatic screening of eight purified dehalogenases with reported fluoroacetate defluorination activity revealed significant hydrolytic activity against difluoroacetate in three proteins. Product analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified glyoxylic acid as the final product of enzymatic DFA defluorination. The crystal structures of DAR3835 from Dechloromonas aromatica and NOS0089 from Nostoc sp. were determined in the apo-state along with the DAR3835 H274N glycolyl intermediate. Structure-based site-directed mutagenesis of DAR3835 demonstrated a key role for the catalytic triad and other active site residues in the defluorination of both fluoroacetate and difluoroacetate. Computational analysis of the dimer structures of DAR3835, NOS0089, and RPA1163 indicated the presence of one substrate access tunnel in each protomer. Moreover, protein-ligand docking simulations suggested similar catalytic mechanisms for the defluorination of both fluoroacetate and difluoroacetate, with difluoroacetate being defluorinated via two consecutive defluorination reactions producing glyoxylate as the final product. Thus, our findings provide molecular insights into substrate promiscuity and catalytic mechanism of FADs, which are promising biocatalysts for applications in synthetic chemistry and bioremediation of fluorochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna N Khusnutdinova
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
- Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery Division, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK
| | - Khorcheska A Batyrova
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Greg Brown
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tatiana Fedorchuk
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Yao Sheng Chai
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tatiana Skarina
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Flick
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alain-Pierre Petit
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery Division, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK
| | - Alexei Savchenko
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Health Research Innovation Centre, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Peter Stogios
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander F Yakunin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, UK
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14
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Endo S, Hammer J, Matsuzawa S. Experimental Determination of Air/Water Partition Coefficients for 21 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Reveals Variable Performance of Property Prediction Models. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:8406-8413. [PMID: 37232091 PMCID: PMC10249623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals of high environmental concern. However, reliable data for the air/water partition coefficients (Kaw), which are required for fate, exposure, and risk analysis, are available for only a few PFAS. In this study, Kaw values at 25 °C were determined for 21 neutral PFAS by using the hexadecane/air/water thermodynamic cycle. Hexadecane/water partition coefficients (KHxd/w) were measured with batch partition, shared-headspace, and/or modified variable phase ratio headspace methods and were divided by hexadecane/air partition coefficients (KHxd/air) to obtain Kaw values over 7 orders of magnitude (10-4.9 to 102.3). Comparison to predicted Kaw values by four models showed that the quantum chemically based COSMOtherm model stood out for accuracy with a root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of 0.42 log units, as compared to HenryWin, OPERA, and the linear solvation energy relationship with predicted descriptors (RMSE, 1.28-2.23). The results indicate the advantage of a theoretical model over empirical models for a data-poor class like PFAS and the importance of experimentally filling data gaps in the chemical domain of environmental interest. Kaw values for 222 neutral (or neutral species of) PFAS were predicted using COSMOtherm as current best estimates for practical and regulatory use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Endo
- Health and Environmental
Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental
Studies (NIES), Onogawa 16-2, 305-8506 Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jort Hammer
- Health and Environmental
Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental
Studies (NIES), Onogawa 16-2, 305-8506 Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sadao Matsuzawa
- Health and Environmental
Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental
Studies (NIES), Onogawa 16-2, 305-8506 Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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15
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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16
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Sun J, Cheng Y, Song Z, Ma S, Xing L, Wang K, Huang C, Li D, Chu J, Liu Y. Large-scale assessment of exposure to legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in China's shorebirds. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 229:115946. [PMID: 37080273 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become more widely applied, whereas legacy PFAS such as PFOS continue to distribute ubiquitously in the environment. Large-scale assessment of wildlife exposure to both emerging and legacy PFAS plays a key role in effective biomonitoring to better discriminate regional contamination patterns and provide early warnings. Using eggs of two closely-related shorebird species collected across China during the breeding season in 2021, we constructed contrasting PFAS levels and profiles in coastal versus inland populations. The highest ∑PFAS concentrations were found in two Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) populations from the Bohai Sea, a semi-enclosed shallow bay located in northeast China. These two populations showed exceptionally high PFOA concentrations (mean: 94 and 121 ng/g wet weight; West and North Bohai Sea, respectively) dominating the overall PFAS profile (66% for both). This pattern is characteristic, compared to that of other seabird eggs worldwide. By comparison, PFAS profile in the white-faced plover (Charadrius dealbatus) population at the South China Sea coast was dominated by PFOS (46%), which showed similar levels to those at the North Bohai Sea coast (mean: 29 and 20 ng/g, respectively). PFAS concentrations of Kentish plovers from the remote Qinghai Lake were lower compared to the three coastal populations, and were dominated by PFNA (mean: 2.6 ng/g, 29%) and PFOS (mean: 2.5 ng/g, 27%). None of the eggs analyzed in the present study exceeded estimated toxicity reference values for PFOS or PFOA. Additionally, the emerging 6:2 Cl-PFESA was detected in eggs from all regions, while its concentrations were highest in the Bohai Sea populations, and short-chain PFBS was only detected in the North Bohai Sea population. Our results indicate intensive local emissions of PFOA and emerging PFAS at the Bohai Sea region, and warrant further investigation and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Yachang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zitan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shisheng Ma
- 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
| | - Kai Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Chenjing Huang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Donglai Li
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource and Epidemic Disease Prevention, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiansong Chu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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17
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Nilsson S, Bräunig J, Carey RN, Hui J, Smurthwaite K, Toms LM, Kirk MD, Mueller JF, Fritschi L. Longitudinal measurements of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in archived human serum samples between 1975 and 1995 in Australia. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130307. [PMID: 36444050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130307] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade compounds produced since the 1950 s and used in a range of industrial processes and consumer products. In Australia, PFAS serum concentrations have been measured in the general population since 2002. However, few studies have retrospectively measured PFAS concentrations in serum samples representative of a general population prior to 2000, none of which have been conducted in Australia. To understand the general population's exposure to PFAS prior to 2002, longitudinal PFAS serum concentration measurements are required. In the current study, we accessed 'The Busselton Health Study Data Bank' to analyse archived serum samples for PFAS. Repeat serum samples collected in 1975, 1981 and 1995 were obtained from 17 participants. Of the 35 PFAS analysed, 13 PFAS were detected in the serum samples collected in 1975. Both the detection frequency and ∑PFAS serum concentrations increased between 1975 and 1995. Median ∑PFAS serum concentration increased over 7-fold; from 3.3 ng/mL in 1975-26 ng/mL in 1995. The increase in serum concentrations reflects the global production history of these PFAS during this period in time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jennifer Bräunig
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Renee N Carey
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jennie Hui
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Kayla Smurthwaite
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Leisa-Maree Toms
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Martyn D Kirk
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Lin Fritschi
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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18
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Liu H, Chen Y, Hu W, Luo Y, Zhu P, You S, Li Y, Jiang Z, Wu X, Li X. Impacts of PFOA C8, GenX C6, and their mixtures on zebrafish developmental toxicity and gene expression provide insight about tumor-related disease. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160085. [PMID: 36356740 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have grown in importance in the fields of ecotoxicology and public health. This study aims to compare the potential effects of long-chain (carbon atoms ≥ 7) and short-chain derivatives and their mixtures' exposure according to PFASs-exposed (1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L) zebrafish's (Danio rerio) toxic effects and their differential gene expression. Here, PFOAC8, GenXC6, and their mixtures (v/v, 1:1) could reduce embryo hatchability and increase teratogenicity and mortality. The toxicity of PFOAC8 was higher than that of GenXC6, and the toxicity of their mixtures was irregular. Their exposure (2 mg/L) caused zebrafish ventricular edema, malformation of the spine, blood accumulation, or developmental delay. In addition, all of them had significant differences in gene expression. PFOAC8 exposure causes overall genetic changes, and the pathways of this transformation were autophagy and apoptosis. More importantly, in order to protect cells from PFOAC8, GenXC6, and their mixtures' influences, zebrafish inhibited the expression of ATPase and Ca2+ transport gene (atp1b2b), mitochondrial function-related regulatory genes (mt-co2, mt-co3, and mt-cyb), and tumor or carcinogenic cell proliferation genes (laptm4b and ctsbb). Overall, PFOAC8, GenXC6, and their mixtures' exposures will affect the gene expression effects of zebrafish embryos, indicating that PFASs may pose a potential threat to aquatic biological safety. These results showed that the relevant genes in zebrafish that were inhibited by PFASs exposure were related to tumorigenesis. Therefore, the effect of PFASs on zebrafish can be further used to study the pathogenesis of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huinian Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
| | - Wenli Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
| | - Shiqi You
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yunxuan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Zhaobiao Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Xiushan Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China.
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19
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Perstraction: A Membrane-Assisted Liquid–Liquid Extraction of PFOA from Water. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This study represents a first time that perstraction was assessed as a process to remove perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. In the perstraction process, PFOA permeates through a membrane from water to a solvent. The membrane used in this study was polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The experimental approach included the following: (1) measurement of partition coefficients for PFOA between water and selected solvents; (2) determination of solubility and diffusivity of the solvents in PDMS; (3) determination of the uptake of PFOA in PDMS; (4) determination of the effects of selected particles imbedded in the PDMS on PFOA uptake and solvent absorption; and (5) demonstration of the perstraction process to remove PFOA from water. PFOA preferentially partitioned to alcohols over water. In addition, ZnO and CuO particles in PDMS significantly enhanced the rate at which PFOA was absorbed in PDMS from deionized water due to ionic interactions. The perstraction of PFOA from deionized water into hexanol was demonstrated. However, perstraction was not successful at removing PFOA from tap water. While the application of perstraction to removing PFOA from water is limited, the idea was demonstrated and information contained within this manuscript is new.
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20
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Wallis DJ, Barton KE, Knappe DRU, Kotlarz N, McDonough CA, Higgins CP, Hoppin JA, Adgate JL. Source apportionment of serum PFASs in two highly exposed communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158842. [PMID: 36122706 PMCID: PMC10564447 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158842] [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: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals that are ubiquitous in environmental and biological systems, including human serum. PFASs are used in many products and industrial processes and are tied to numerous health effects. Due to multiple sources and exposure pathways, methods are needed to identify PFAS sources in communities to develop targeted interventions. We assessed effectiveness of three source apportionment methods (UNMIX, positive matrix factorization [PMF], and principal component analysis - multiple linear regression [PCA-MLR]) for identifying contributors to human serum PFAS concentrations in two highly exposed populations in Colorado and North Carolina where drinking water was contaminated via upstream sources, including a Space Force base and a fluorochemical manufacturing plant. UNMIX and PMF models extracted three to four potential PFAS exposure sources in the Colorado and North Carolina cohorts while PCA-MLR classified two in each cohort. No sources were characterized in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Study). Results suggest that these three methods can successfully identify sources in highly exposed populations. Future PFAS exposure research should focus on analyzing serum for an expanded PFAS panel, identifying cohorts with other distinct point source exposures, and combining biological and environmental data to better understand source apportionment results in the context of PFAS toxicokinetic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Wallis
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Nadine Kotlarz
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Carrie A McDonough
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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21
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Zhu W, Khan K, Roakes H, Maker E, Underwood KL, Zemba S, Badireddy AR. Vermont-wide assessment of anthropogenic background concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances in surface soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129479. [PMID: 35803188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129479] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Shallow surface soils from 66 suburban sampling locations across Vermont were analyzed for 17 different perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA). PFAA were detected in all 66 surface soils, with a total concentration of PFAA ranging from 540 to 36,000 ng/kg dry soil weight (dw). Despite the complexity of site-specific factors, some general trends and correlations in PFAA concentrations were observed. For instance, perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate (PFOS) dominated in all soil samples while seven other PFAA, including perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid, perfluoro-n-octanoic acid, perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid, perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid, perfluoro-n-decanoic acid, perfluoro-n-undecanoic acid, perfluoro-1-butanesulfonate, and perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFNA, PFOA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and PFBS, respectively), were identified at more than 50 % of the locations. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) showed a positive correlation with total organic carbon, whereas no clear correlation was observed for perfluoroalkyl sulfonate acids (PFSA). In addition, variations in geographical distributions of PFAA were observed, with relatively higher total PFAA in northern regions when compared to Southern Vermont. Moreover, PFHxA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFOS, and total PFAA were positively correlated to land-use types in Northern Vermont. These results are useful for understanding unique behaviors of PFCA vs. PFSA in geospatially distributed surface soils and for providing anthropogenic background data for setting PFAS cleanup standards for surface soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Zhu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Kamruzzaman Khan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Harrison Roakes
- Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc., 187 Saint Paul Street suite 4-C, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Elliot Maker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Kristen L Underwood
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Stephen Zemba
- Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc., 187 Saint Paul Street suite 4-C, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Appala Raju Badireddy
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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22
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Zhu Q, Qian J, Huang S, Li Q, Guo L, Zeng J, Zhang W, Cao X, Yang J. Occurrence, distribution, and input pathways of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soils near different sources in Shanghai. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119620. [PMID: 35709920 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are complex emerging pollutants that are widely distributed in soils. The compositions of PFAS vary according to the emission sources. However, the soil distributions of PFAS from different sources are still poorly understood. In this study, the concentrations and compositions of 18 PFAS in soils close to potential sources (industrial areas, airports, landfills, fire stations and agricultural areas) were investigated in Shanghai. The total PFAS concentrations varied from 0.64 to 294 μg kg-1d.w.. Among the sites, the highest PFAS concentration was found near the fire station (average = 57.9 μg kg-1d.w.), followed by the industrial area (average = 8.53 μg kg-1d.w.). The detection frequencies of the 18 PFAS ranged from 47.5% to 100%. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) were detected in all samples. The detection frequencies of PFAS near the fire station were higher than those near other sources. The PFAS in soils were mainly composed of short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C ≤ 8). Elevated concentrations of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C > 12) were found in industrial area. Principal component analysis revealed that long-chain PFAS had different factor loadings compared to short-chain PFAS. With the exception of agricultural soils, the correlations between individual PFAS were more positive than negative. Strong positive correlations were found within three groups of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C5-C7, C9-C12, and C14-C18), suggesting their similar inputs and transportation pathways. The PFAS in soils around the fire station were likely directly emitted from a point source. In contrast, the PFAS in soils near the other sites had multiple input pathways, including both direct emission and precursor degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghe Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China; State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Jiahao Qian
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Shenfa Huang
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Qingqing Li
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Lin Guo
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Xinde Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China.
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23
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Xie Z, Zhang P, Wu Z, Zhang S, Wei L, Mi L, Kuester A, Gandrass J, Ebinghaus R, Yang R, Wang Z, Mi W. Legacy and emerging organic contaminants in the polar regions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155376. [PMID: 35461927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The presence of numerous emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) and remobilization of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in polar regions have become significant concerns of the scientific communities, public groups and stakeholders. This work reviews the occurrences of EOCs and POPs and their long-range environmental transport (LRET) processes via atmosphere and ocean currents from continental sources to polar regions. Concentrations of classic POPs have been systematically monitored in air at several Arctic stations and showed seasonal variations and declining trends. These chemicals were also the major POPs reported in the Antarctica, while their concentrations were lower than those in the Arctic, illustrating the combination of remoteness and lack of potential local sources for the Antarctica. EOCs were investigated in air, water, snow, ice and organisms in the Arctic. Data in the Antarctica are rare. Reemission of legacy POPs and EOCs accumulated in glaciers, sea ice and snow may alter the concentrations and amplify their effects in polar regions. Thus, future research will need to understand the various biogeochemical and geophysical processes under climate change and anthropogenic pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Xie
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Zilan Wu
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Lijia Wei
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lijie Mi
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Anette Kuester
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Juergen Gandrass
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ralf Ebinghaus
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ruiqiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Wenying Mi
- MINJIE Institute of Environmental Science and Health Research, Geesthacht 21025, Germany
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24
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Babayev M, Capozzi SL, Miller P, McLaughlin KR, Medina SS, Byrne S, Zheng G, Salamova A. PFAS in drinking water and serum of the people of a southeast Alaska community: A pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119246. [PMID: 35367506 PMCID: PMC9090981 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a target of rigorous scientific research due to their ubiquitous nature and adverse health effects. However, there are still gaps in knowledge about their environmental fate and health implications. More attention is needed for remote locations with source exposures. This study focuses on assessing PFAS exposure in Gustavus, a small Alaska community, located near a significant PFAS source from airport operations and fire training sites. Residential water (n = 25) and serum (n = 40) samples were collected from Gustavus residents and analyzed for 39 PFAS compounds. In addition, two water samples were collected from the previously identified PFAS source near the community. Fourteen distinct PFAS were detected in Gustavus water samples, including 6 perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), 7 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), and 1 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS). ΣPFAS concentrations in residential drinking water ranged from not detected to 120 ng/L. High ΣPFAS levels were detected in two source samples collected from the Gustavus Department of Transportation (14,600 ng/L) and the Gustavus Airport (228 ng/L), confirming these two locations as a nearby major source of PFAS contamination. Seventeen PFAS were detected in serum and ΣPFAS concentrations ranged from 0.0170 to 13.1 ng/mL (median 0.0823 ng/mL). Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) were the most abundant PFAS in both water and serum samples and comprised up to 70% of ΣPFAS concentrations in these samples. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed PFAS concentrations in water and sera were significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.495; p = 0.0192). Our results confirm a presence of a significant PFAS source near Gustavus, Alaska and suggest that contaminated drinking water from private wells contributes to the overall PFAS body burden in Gustavus residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksat Babayev
- School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Staci L Capozzi
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 United States
| | - Pamela Miller
- Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States
| | | | | | - Samuel Byrne
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, United States
| | - Guomao Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Amina Salamova
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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25
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Li XQ, Hua ZL, Zhang JY, Gu L. Interactions between dissolved organic matter and perfluoroalkyl acids in natural rivers and lakes: A case study of the northwest of Taihu Lake Basin, China. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 216:118324. [PMID: 35339055 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) is essential for predicting the distribution, transport, and fate of PFAAs in aquatic environments. Based on field investigations in the northwest of Taihu Lake Basin combined with laboratory experiments, we obtained DOM and PFAA concentrations as well as compositions and investigated key factors of DOM affecting PFAA variability and capture of PFAAs by DOM. Results indicated that the total concentrations of PFAAs were 73.4-689 ng/L in surface water and that PFAAs were dominated by C3-7 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid. The main components of DOM included tyrosine-, fulvic-, and tryptophan-like substances. The Mantel test revealed a significant positive correlation between DOM and PFAAs (P = 0.0001). Fulvic-like substances were identified as the most crucial factors affecting PFAA variability. The laboratory experiments revealed that DOM can spontaneously aggregate into a microgel. Furthermore, 19.1-50.9% of PFAAs, DOM characteristic peaks, and several metals (Ca, Mg, Cu, and Fe) can be removed during aggregation, indicating the capacity of DOM binding organic/inorganic substances. The fulvic-like substances were more effectively removed than the protein-like substances. The distribution coefficients of all PFAAs except perfluorohexanoic acid significantly correlated with their perfluorinated carbon numbers (r = 0.975, p<0.001). Our results provided insights into the interactions between DOM and PFAAs, improving the understanding of the distribution, transport, and fate of PFAAs in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qing Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
| | - Zu-Lin Hua
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Jiangsu, 210098, PR China.
| | - Jian-Yun Zhang
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Jiangsu, 210098, PR China
| | - Li Gu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Jiangsu, 210098, PR China
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26
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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: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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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27
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Szabo D, Nuske MR, Lavers JL, Shimeta J, Green MP, Mulder RA, Clarke BO. A baseline study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in waterfowl from a remote Australian environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 812:152528. [PMID: 34954161 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of PFASs in the liver may pose a toxicological risk to bird species and humans that consume them. This study aimed to determine concentrations of 43 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in livers (n = 80) of Australian Shelducks (Tadorna tadornoides), Pacific Black Ducks (Anas superciliosa), and Teals (Anas sp.), as well as water and sediment from a remote Australian environment. Maximum concentrations of PFBA (1.9 ng L-1), PFOA (1.7 ng L-1) and PFOS (0.99 ng L-1) in water were consistent with long-range atmospheric and oceanic transport. PFOS (30%) and PFNA (22%) were the most frequently detected PFASs in Australian Shelduck livers (0.31 ± 0.68 ng g-1 ww and 0.16 ± 0.15 ng g-1 ww respectively). Maximum concentrations of PFOS in Pacific Black Ducks (50%) and Teals (44%) was 2.4 ng g-1 ww and 5.3 ng g-1 ww respectively. While PFAS levels in birds from this remote environment were below current animal consumption guidelines, continued monitoring of this ecosystem is recommended to assess the human health risk of consumption of wild game.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Szabo
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Madison R Nuske
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 7004, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- School of Science, RMIT University, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Raoul A Mulder
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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28
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Brumovský M, Bečanová J, Sáňka O, Løken KB, Baho DL, Sørensen K, Nizzetto L. Line ferries and cargo ships for the monitoring of marine contaminants of emerging concern: Application along a Europe-Arctic transect. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127232. [PMID: 34597932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127232] [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: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) are a focus in marine protection. Several CECs are released with wastewater effluents to coastal environments and their offshore occurrence has been recently documented. Routine monitoring is key for implementing marine protection acts, however infrastructural, financial, and technical limitations hinder this task along broad spatial transects. Here we show the efficacy of a new infrastructure enabling unmanned sampling of surface water from ships of opportunity in providing reliable and cost-effective routine monitoring of CECs along a Europe-Arctic transect. The distribution and long-range transport of several pharmaceuticals and personal care products, artificial food additives, and stimulants were assessed. Validation of operations through strict procedural and analytical quality criteria is presented. A framework to estimate a compound-specific spatial range (SR) index of marine long-range transport based on monitoring results and information on source spatial distribution, is introduced. Estimated SR values ranged 50-350 km depending on compound, yielding a ranking of long-range transport potential which reflected expectations based on degradation half-lives. SR values were used to calculate prior maps of detection probability that can be used to plan future routine monitoring in the region.
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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
| | - Ondřej Sáňka
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Didier L Baho
- NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kai Sørensen
- NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - 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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29
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Ma D, Zhong H, Lv J, Wang Y, Jiang G. Levels, distributions, and sources of legacy and novel per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the topsoil of Tianjin, China. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 112:71-81. [PMID: 34955224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Soil is a major sink for per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), wherein PFAS may be transferred through the food chain to predators at upper trophic levels, which poses a threat to human health. Herein, the concentrations and distributions of legacy and novel PFAS in topsoil samples from different functional areas in Tianjin were comprehensively investigated. Seventeen PFAS congeners were identified, with concentrations ranging from 0.21 ng/g to 5.35 ng/g, with a mean concentration of 1.25 ng/g. The main PFAS in the topsoil was perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA; <MDL-1.95 ng/g, mean 0.11 ng/g), as an emerging substitute for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), was also detected in the topsoil. It showed slightly higher concentrations than PFOS (<MDL-1.62 ng/g, mean 0.10 ng/g), indicating it has gradually replaced legacy PFOS in this area. Based on the positive-definite matrix factor (PMF) receptor model, the major PFAS sources was dominated by textile treatment, metal electroplating plants, and some potential precursors of PFAS with longer chains (>C8) were the major sources (43.4%), followed by food packaging as well as coating materials (25.5%). In addition, Spearman correlation analysis and the structural equation model showed that population density significantly impacted the PFAS distribution in the topsoil of Tianjin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huifang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Jitao Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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30
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Bian Y, He MY, Ling Y, Wang XJ, Zhang F, Feng XS, Zhang Y, Xing SG, Li J, Qiu X, Li YR. Tissue distribution study of perfluorooctanoic acid in exposed zebrafish using MALDI mass spectrometry imaging. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118505. [PMID: 34785291 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as an emerging environmental contaminant, has become ubiquitous in the environment. It is of significance to study bioconcentration and tissue distribution of aquatic organisms for predicting the persistence of PFOA and its adverse effects on the environment and human body. However, the distribution of PFOA in different tissues is a complex physiological process affected by many factors. It is difficult to be accurately described by a simple kinetic model. In present study, a new strategy was introduced to research the PFOA distribution in tissues and estimate the exposure stages. Zebrafish were continuously exposed to 25 mg/L PFOA for 30 days to simulate environmental process. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) method was used to monitor the spatio-temporal distribution of PFOA in zebrafish tissues. By analyzing the law of change obtained from the high spatial resolution MSI data, two different enrichment trends in ten tissues were summarized by performing curve fitting. Analyzing the ratio of two types of curves, a new "exposure curve" was defined to evaluate the exposure stages. With this model, three levels (mild, moderate, and deep pollution stage) of PFOA pollution in zebrafish can be simply evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bian
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China; School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Mu-Yi He
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Yun Ling
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Xiu-Juan Wang
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China.
| | - Xue-Song Feng
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Shi-Ge Xing
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Jie Li
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China; School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Xin Qiu
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China; School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yu-Rui Li
- Institute of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China
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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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32
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Lin Y, Capozzi SL, Lin L, Rodenburg LA. Source apportionment of perfluoroalkyl substances in Great Lakes fish. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:118047. [PMID: 34467881 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118047] [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: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to the complex sources and fate of perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), their source apportionment in the environment remains a challenge. A data set of 11 straight-chain PFAS in 139 samples of fish in the Great Lakes was analyzed using positive matrix factorization (PMF) to investigate their primary sources, whose spatial variations were examined against the surrounding environmental factors. PMF analysis produced five fingerprints. Factor 1 (72% of Σ11PFAS, dominated by PFOS) probably represented emissions from primary sources (such as consumer products) and secondary sources (precursors), and increased in average abundance from west to east across the Great Lakes. Factor 2 (13% of Σ11PFAS) and factor 3 (7% of Σ11PFAS), highly loaded with long-chain PFAS and PFNA, respectively, were thought to represent PVDF manufacture or processing in metal plating. They showed higher contributions in sparsely populated Lakes Superior and Huron. Factor 4 (5% of Σ11PFAS, highly loaded with PFOS and PFHxS) presented hot spots near current and former air force bases, suggesting it was related to aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Factor 5 (4% of Σ11PFAS) contained primarily PFOS and PFOSA, which may imply metabolism of precursors (PFOSA) to PFOS in vivo. Unexpectedly, the spatial trends of the five sources all showed abnormally low values near the more urbanized Chicago and Milwaukee in Lake Michigan, which may be due to their unique wastewater and stormwater infrastructure or may arise from atmospheric transport of precursors. Our study indicated that PMF was an effective tool to identify sources of PFAS in fish despite absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) processes which might alter fingerprints in fish relative to their surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, 600, Ligong Road, Xiamen, 361000, China
| | - Staci L Capozzi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Li Lin
- Fujian Jingwei Surveying and Mapping Information Co., Ltd, 68 Shanyuan Hong Road, Fuzhou, 350000, China
| | - Lisa A Rodenburg
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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Chen M, Wang C, Gao K, Wang X, Fu J, Gong P, Wang Y. Perfluoroalkyl substances in precipitation from the Tibetan Plateau during monsoon season: Concentrations, source regions and mass fluxes. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 282:131105. [PMID: 34470159 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131105] [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: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric wet deposition is an important process for the occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in polar/remote mountain regions; however, there are limited data on PFASs in precipitation from the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Precipitation (rain from May to October 2017) was therefore collected across the TP to investigate the concentrations, composition profiles, sources, and fluxes of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). The average ∑PFAA concentrations ranged from 212.3 pg L-1 to 547.7 pg L-1, and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) accounted for 87% of the measured PFAAs (mean value). Significant positive associations (p < 0.05) were found for most PFCAs in the southeast TP, indicating that they may come from similar sources. The monthly PFAA deposition flux ranged from 12.6 to 68.9 ng m-2 month-1, decreasing from east to west. As climate of the eastern TP is controlled mainly by the Indian monsoon, indicating that the Indian monsoon plays an important role in delivering PFAAs to the TP. PCA (principal component analysis) combined with back-trajectory analysis was used to estimate the atmospheric transport pathways, and the PSCF (potential source contribution function) model was applied to define the potential source regions of individual PFAAs. The results suggested that northeast India, Bangladesh, and southern Nepal are the potential sources of C4-C7 PFCAs; C8-C10 PFCAs are more influenced by emissions from southern Nepal and Bhutan; while the source regions of long-chain PFCAs (C11-C12) can be attributed to northern India and Pakistan. Specifically, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) has a local contribution from the central TP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chuanfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ke Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Jianjie Fu
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Ping Gong
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; South-East Tibetan Plateau Station for Integrated Observation and Research of Alpine Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nyingchi 860119, China
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Zhong H, Zheng M, Liang Y, Wang Y, Gao W, Wang Y, Jiang G. Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediments from the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea: Occurrence, source apportionment and environmental risk assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 282:131042. [PMID: 34111641 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Yellow Sea (YS), the East China Sea (ECS) and their coastal areas have undergone rapid urbanization and industrialization. These areas are important sinks for many persistent organic pollutants. In this study, the concentration of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in marine sediments from the YS and ECS were investigated. Nineteen PFAS were identified, ranging in concentration from 0.21 ng/g to 4.74 ng/g (mean: 1.60 ng/g). Legacy long-chain PFAS [e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)] were the dominant contaminants. Alternative PFAS such as 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropoxy) propanoic acid (HFPO-DA) were identified within the detection range of 16%-100%. HFPO-DA was measured in all sediments in equivalent levels to PFOS (0.119 ng/g and 0.139 ng/g, respectively). This is the first reported occurrence of perfluoro-1-butanesulfonamide (FBSA) and HFPO-DA in marine sediments, indicating a replacement in the production of PFAS from legacy to emerging ones along with eastern coastal cities of China. The results of the potential source identification demonstrated that metal plating plants, textile treatments, fluoropolymer products, food packaging, and the degradation of volatile precursor substances were the main sources of PFAS in the ECS and YS. The environmental risk assessment based on the risk quotient demonstrated that PFOA and PFOS in the ECS and YS may present a low to medium risk at most sampling points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Zhong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Minggang Zheng
- Marine Ecology Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 266061, Qingdao, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Yingjun Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
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35
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Reardon AJF, Rowan-Carroll A, Ferguson SS, Leingartner K, Gagne R, Kuo B, Williams A, Lorusso L, Bourdon-Lacombe JA, Carrier R, Moffat I, Yauk CL, Atlas E. Potency Ranking of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Using High-Throughput Transcriptomic Analysis of Human Liver Spheroids. Toxicol Sci 2021; 184:154-169. [PMID: 34453843 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.15.341362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are some of the most prominent organic contaminants in human blood. Although the toxicological implications of human exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are well established, data on lesser-understood PFAS are limited. New approach methodologies (NAMs) that apply bioinformatic tools to high-throughput data are being increasingly considered to inform risk assessment for data-poor chemicals. The aim of this study was to compare the potencies (ie, benchmark concentrations: BMCs) of PFAS in primary human liver microtissues (3D spheroids) using high-throughput transcriptional profiling. Gene expression changes were measured using TempO-seq, a templated, multiplexed RNA-sequencing platform. Spheroids were exposed for 1 or 10 days to increasing concentrations of 23 PFAS in 3 subgroups: carboxylates (PFCAs), sulfonates (PFSAs), and fluorotelomers and sulfonamides. PFCAs and PFSAs exhibited trends toward increased transcriptional potency with carbon chain-length. Specifically, longer-chain compounds (7-10 carbons) were more likely to induce changes in gene expression and have lower transcriptional BMCs. The combined high-throughput transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses support the capability of NAMs to efficiently assess the effects of PFAS in liver microtissues. The data enable potency ranking of PFAS for human liver cell spheroid cytotoxicity and transcriptional changes, and assessment of in vitro transcriptomic points of departure. These data improve our understanding of the possible health effects of PFAS and will be used to inform read-across for human health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J F Reardon
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Rowan-Carroll
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen S Ferguson
- Biomolecular Screening Branch, Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karen Leingartner
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Remi Gagne
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Byron Kuo
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luigi Lorusso
- Chemicals and Environmental Health Management Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie A Bourdon-Lacombe
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Carrier
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ivy Moffat
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carole L Yauk
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ella Atlas
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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36
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Wu JY, Hua ZL, Gu L. Planktonic microbial responses to perfluorinated compound (PFC) pollution: Integrating PFC distributions with community coalescence and metabolism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147743. [PMID: 34020088 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147743] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The presence of perfluorinated compound (PFC) contamination in riverine ecosystems represents a novel challenge for environmental remediation. However, little attention has been paid to how PFCs affect planktonic microbial community coalescence. Here, the spatial profiles of fourteen PFCs and their contributions to community assembly were determined using field sampling in a natural river confluence. Overall, PFPeA (perfluorovaleric acid), PFBS (perfluorobutylsulfonate), PFHpA (perfluoroheptanoic acid) and PFHxA (perfluorohexanoic acid) were identified as important indicators of PFC pollution, accounting for the majority of the spatial heterogeneity in PFC pollution. PFPeA (perfluorovaleric acid) (9.39%) and PFTrDA (perfluorotridecanoate acid) (8.61%) contributed more to microbial taxonomic spatial heterogeneity than did other factors, such as pH, dissolved oxygen and velocity. PFOA (pentadecafluorooctanoic acid) (R2 = 0.353) and PFBS (R2 = 0.297) drove turnover in archaeal communities within river sections (transversely), while PFHpA (R2 = 0.251) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulphonate) (R2 = 0.105) drove turnover in bacterial communities transversely and longitudinally, respectively. Phylogenetic null modeling suggested that archaeal (68.89-83.33%) community assembly was dominated by stochastic processes, and was balanced by PFHxA (R2 = 0.349) and PFOA (R2 = 0.290). Furthermore, PFOS inhibited the biosynthesis of several key amino acids in archaea, and PFBA enhanced the potential for bacterial infections in humans (p < 0.05), threatening water quality. In sum, this study provides new insights into riverine ecological risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Yi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Jiangsu 210098, China.
| | - Zu-Lin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Jiangsu 210098, China
| | - Li Gu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Jiangsu 210098, China.
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37
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Borthakur A, Wang M, He M, Ascencio K, Blotevogel J, Adamson DT, Mahendra S, Mohanty SK. Perfluoroalkyl acids on suspended particles: Significant transport pathways in surface runoff, surface waters, and subsurface soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 417:126159. [PMID: 34229412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Eroded particles from the source zone could transport a high concentration of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) to sediments and water bodies. Yet, the contribution of suspended particles has not been systematically reviewed. Analyzing reported studies, we quantitatively demonstrate that suspended particles in surface water can contain significantly higher concentrations of PFAAs than the sediment below, indicating the source of suspended particles are not the sediment but particles eroded and carried from the source zone upstream. The affinity of PFAAs to particles depends on the particle composition, including organic carbon fraction and iron or aluminum oxide content. In soils, most PFAAs are retained within the top 5 m below the ground surface. The distribution of PFAAs in the subsurface varies based on site properties and local weather conditions. The depth corresponding to the maximum concentration of PFAA in soil decreases with an increase in soil organic carbon or rainfall amount received in the catchment areas. We attribute a greater accumulation of PFAAs near the upper layer of the subsurface to an increase in the accumulation of particles eroded from source zones upstream receiving heavy rainfall. Precursor transformation in the aerobic zone is significantly higher than in the anaerobic zone, thereby making the aerobic subsurface zone serve as a long-term source of groundwater pollution. Collectively, these results suggest that suspended particles, often an overlooked vector for PFAAs, can be a dominant pathway for the transport of PFAAs in environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annesh Borthakur
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Meng He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katia Ascencio
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Shaily Mahendra
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sanjay K Mohanty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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38
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Rowan-Carroll A, Reardon A, Leingartner K, Gagné R, Williams A, Meier MJ, Kuo B, Bourdon-Lacombe J, Moffat I, Carrier R, Nong A, Lorusso L, Ferguson SS, Atlas E, Yauk C. High-Throughput Transcriptomic Analysis of Human Primary Hepatocyte Spheroids Exposed to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances as a Platform for Relative Potency Characterization. Toxicol Sci 2021; 181:199-214. [PMID: 33772556 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely found in the environment because of their extensive use and persistence. Although several PFAS are well studied, most lack toxicity data to inform human health hazard and risk assessment. This study focused on 4 model PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; 8 carbon), perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS; 4 carbon), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS; 8 carbon), and perfluorodecane sulfonate (PFDS; 10 carbon). Human primary liver cell spheroids (pooled from 10 donors) were exposed to 10 concentrations of each PFAS and analyzed at 4 time points. The approach aimed to: (1) identify gene expression changes mediated by the PFAS, (2) identify similarities in biological responses, (3) compare PFAS potency through benchmark concentration analysis, and (4) derive bioactivity exposure ratios (ratio of the concentration at which biological responses occur, relative to daily human exposure). All PFAS induced transcriptional changes in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism pathways, and predicted PPARα activation. PFOS exhibited the most transcriptional activity and had a highly similar gene expression profile to PFDS. PFBS induced the least transcriptional changes and the highest benchmark concentration (ie, was the least potent). The data indicate that these PFAS may have common molecular targets and toxicities, but that PFOS and PFDS are the most similar. The transcriptomic bioactivity exposure ratios derived here for PFOA and PFOS were comparable to those derived using rodent apical endpoints in risk assessments. These data provide a baseline level of toxicity for comparison with other known PFAS using this testing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rowan-Carroll
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Anthony Reardon
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Karen Leingartner
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Remi Gagné
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Matthew J Meier
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Byron Kuo
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Julie Bourdon-Lacombe
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Ivy Moffat
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Richard Carrier
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Andy Nong
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Luigi Lorusso
- Chemicals and Environmental Health Management Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Stephen S Ferguson
- U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Ella Atlas
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Carole Yauk
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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Yue Y, Fan J, Xin G, Huang Q, Wang JB, Li Y, Zhang Q, Wang W. Comprehensive Understanding of Fluoroacetate Dehalogenase-Catalyzed Degradation of Fluorocarboxylic Acids: A QM/MM Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:9817-9825. [PMID: 34080849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08811] [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] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fluorochemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds that are widely tributed in the environment. Developing efficient biodegradation strategies to decompose the fluorochemicals via breaking the inert C-F bonds presents a holistic challenge. As a promising biodegradation enzyme candidate, fluoroacetate dehalogenase (FAcD) has been reported as the only non-metallic enzyme to catalyze the cleavage of the strong C-F bond. Here, we systematically investigated the catalytic actions of FAcD toward its natural substrate fluoroacetate using molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanism/molecular mechanism calculations. We propose that the enzymatic transformation involves four elementary steps, (I) C-F bond activation, (II) nucleophilic attack, (III) C-O bond cleavage, and (IV) proton transfer. Our results show that nucleophilic attack is the rate-determining step. However, for difluoroacetate and trifluoroacetate, C-F bond activation, instead of nucleophilic attack, becomes the rate-determining step. We show that FAcD, originally recognized as α-fluorocarboxylic acid degradation enzyme, can catalyze the defluorination of difluoroacetate to glyoxylate, which is captured by our high-resolution mass spectrometry experiments. In addition, we employed amino acid electrostatic analysis method to screen potential mutation hotspots for tuning FAcD's electrostatic environment to favor substrate conversion. The comprehensive understanding of catalytic mechanism will inform a rational enzyme engineering strategy to degrade fluorochemicals for benefits of environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yue
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqian Fan
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, P. R. China
| | - Guoqing Xin
- Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center (WHMFC), Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Qun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, P. R. China
| | - Yanwei Li
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
| | - Qingzhu Zhang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
| | - Wenxing Wang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
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40
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Muir D, Miaz LT. Spatial and Temporal Trends of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Global Ocean and Coastal Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:9527-9537. [PMID: 33646763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely detected in global surface waters since the early 2000s. Here, we have compiled and analyzed the published data for perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonates (PFSAs) in surface waters of coastal seas, the Great Lakes, and open oceans to examine temporal and geospatial trends. Mass discharges from major rivers were also estimated. A large number of measurements of individual PFAS have been made in these surface waters (29 500 values), with seven C4-C10 PFSAs and nine C4-C12 PFCAs accounting for 83% of all data. However, most results (85% for PFSAs; 80% for PFCAs) were for the coastal seas of Western Europe, China, Korea, and Japan, while results were limited for coastal North America and lacking for South America and Africa. Highest median concentrations of PFCAs and PFSAs were reported in the Bohai and Yellow Seas region of China as well as in the North and Baltic seas in Europe. Significant declines in median PFSAs and C7-C12 PFCAs were also observed for the period 2012-2018 in these same regions, and for 2004-2017 in the Great Lakes. Mass discharge estimates indicated continued substantial riverine emissions of long chain (C7-C12) PFCAs in the period 2015-2019 for the coastal seas of China and reductions in emissions for Western European rivers compared to earlier time periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Muir
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington Ontario L7S1A1, Canada
| | - Luc T Miaz
- Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
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41
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Tavasoli E, Luek JL, Malley JP, Mouser PJ. Distribution and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment facilities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:903-913. [PMID: 34028475 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00032b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a major class of contaminants of emerging concern composed of nearly 5000 chemicals. Many PFAS are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, and their widespread use makes their environmental distribution a growing concern. Wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) are a conduit of PFAS to the environment, integrating common household products from municipal sewage, industrial wastewater sources, septic materials, and firefighting wastewaters in effluent and sludge. This study investigated the distribution and fate of twenty-four PFAS within six New Hampshire municipal WWTFs applying a range of biological and disinfection unit processes. PFAS quantification was conducted using two approaches: (1) liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of 24 known compounds and (2) a total oxidizable precursor assay (TOP assay) followed by LC-MS/MS to determine the total oxidizable PFAS concentration. Of the 24 PFAS analyzed, up to 7 and 12 constituents were detected in influent and effluent of WWTFs, respectively, with concentrations ranging from 30 to 128 ng L-1 in March. Effluent ΣPFAS concentration increased during July, with concentrations between 70 and 198 ng L-1 for the same detected constituents. Short-chain PFAS were dominant in both influent and effluent, while long-chain compounds dominated in WWTF sludge. The increase in terminal end-products after oxidation by the TOP assay indicates the presence of unquantified PFAS precursors in both influent and effluent. A significantly lower proportion of oxidizable PFAS precursors were detected in July influent and effluent relative to March, indicating a possible role of season or temperature on microbial transformation of these compounds prior to reaching WWTFs and during treatment. These results provide new insight into PFAS distribution and fate during two seasons in New England municipal WWTFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Tavasoli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA. and HDR, Inc., Manchester, NH 03101, USA
| | - Jenna L Luek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
| | - James P Malley
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
| | - Paula J Mouser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
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Sharifan H, Bagheri M, Wang D, Burken JG, Higgins CP, Liang Y, Liu J, Schaefer CE, Blotevogel J. Fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the vadose zone. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:145427. [PMID: 33736164 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a heterogeneous group of persistent organic pollutants that have been detected in various environmental compartments around the globe. Emerging research has revealed the preferential accumulation of PFASs in shallow soil horizons, particularly at sites impacted by firefighting activities, agricultural applications, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the vadose zone, PFASs can sorb to soil, accumulate at interfaces, become volatilized, be taken up in biota, or leach to the underlying aquifer. At the same time, polyfluorinated precursor species may transform into highly recalcitrant perfluoroalkyl acids, changing their chemical identity and thus transport behavior along the way. In this review, we critically discuss the current state of the knowledge and aim to interconnect the complex processes that control the fate and transport of PFASs in the vadose zone. Furthermore, we identify key challenges and future research needs. Consequently, this review may serve as an interdisciplinary guide for the risk assessment and management of PFAS-contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Sharifan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Majid Bagheri
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Joel G Burken
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Yanna Liang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | | | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Sonmez Baghirzade B, Zhang Y, Reuther JF, Saleh NB, Venkatesan AK, Apul OG. Thermal Regeneration of Spent Granular Activated Carbon Presents an Opportunity to Break the Forever PFAS Cycle. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:5608-5619. [PMID: 33881842 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extensive use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has caused their ubiquitous presence in natural waters. One of the standard practices for PFAS removal from water is adsorption onto granular activated carbon (GAC); however, this approach generates a new waste stream, i.e., PFAS-laden GAC. Considering the recalcitrance of PFAS molecules in the environment, inadequate disposal (e.g., landfill or incineration) of PFAS-laden GAC may let PFAS back into the aquatic cycle. Therefore, developing approaches for PFAS-laden GAC management present unique opportunities to break its forever circulation within the aqueous environment. This comprehensive review evaluates the past two decades of research on conventional thermal regeneration of GAC and critically analyzes and summarizes the literature on regeneration of PFAS-laden GACs. Optimized thermal regeneration of PFAS-laden GACs may provide an opportunity to employ existing regeneration infrastructure to mineralize the adsorbed PFAS and recover the spent GAC. The specific objectives of this review are (i) to investigate the role of physicochemical properties of PFAS on thermal regeneration, (ii) to assess the changes in regeneration yield as well as GAC physical and chemical structure upon thermal regeneration, and (iii) to critically discuss regeneration parameters controlling the process. This literature review on the engineered regeneration process illustrates the significant promise of this approach that can break the endless environmental cycle of these forever chemicals, while preserving the desired physicochemical properties of the valuable GAC adsorbent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Busra Sonmez Baghirzade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Yi Zhang
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - James F Reuther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Navid B Saleh
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Onur G Apul
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
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44
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Jain RB. Impact of kidney hyperfiltration on concentrations of selected perfluoroalkyl acids among US adults for various disease groups. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:21499-21515. [PMID: 33411299 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11855-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 6141) for the years 2003-2016 for US adults were analyzed to evaluate the impact of glomerular hyperfiltration on the observed concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) for several disease groups. Hyperfiltrators were defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 110 mL/min/1.73 m2, and normal filtrators were defined as those having an eGFR between 90 and 110 mL/min/1.73 m2. The seven disease groups for which the data were analyzed were as follows: those (i) without any diseases; (ii) with hypertension only; (iii) with albuminuria only; (iv) with anemia only; (v) with diabetes only; (vi) with hypertension and one or more of diabetes, anemia, and albuminuria; and (vii) with two or more of diabetes, anemia, and albuminuria without hypertension. For almost every PFAA, for all seven disease groups except the albuminuria only group, hyperfiltrators had lower adjusted geometric means (AGM) than normal filtrators. For example, for the disease group with hypertension only, for PFOS, the AGMs for hyperfiltrators and normal filtrators were 8.3 and 10.6 ng/mL, respectively, for the total population. For the group with albuminuria only, normal filtrators were found to have higher AGMs than hyperfiltrators for the total population and males. For example, for PFHxS, the AGMs for normal and hyperfiltrators were 0.98 and 1.05 ng/mL, respectively, for the total population. For females, these AGMs for normal and hyperfiltrators were 0.96 and 0.86 ng/mL respectively. Males usually had higher AGMs than females, but the reverse was also true occasionally. Usually, male-female differences were substantially narrower for normal filtrators than hyperfiltrators. Irrespective of the filtration status, the disease group with hypertension only had the highest AGMs for every PFAA. AGMs for the anemia only group were the lowest for every PFAA as compared with other disease groups among hyperfiltrators.
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45
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Szabo D, Lavers JL, Shimeta J, Green MP, Mulder RA, Clarke BO. Correlations between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Body Morphometrics in Fledgling Shearwaters Impacted by Plastic Consumption from a Remote Pacific Island. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:799-810. [PMID: 33170512 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the concentrations of 45 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in fledgling flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes; n = 33) and wedge-tailed shearwater (A. pacifica; n = 9) livers via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and their relationship to body morphometrics and ingested plastic mass recorded in 2019 on Lord Howe Island (NSW, Australia). Sixteen PFASs were detected, of which perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant compound, detected in 100% of birds (1.34-13.4 ng/g wet wt). Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, including perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; <0.04-0.79 ng/g wet wt) and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA; <0.05-1.6 ng/g wet wt) were detected in >50% of birds. There was a positive correlation between PFDA and PFTrDA concentrations and wing chord length (Rs = 0.36, p = 0.0204; Rs = 0.44, p = 0.0037, respectively), and between PFDA concentrations and total body mass (Rs = 0.33, p = 0.032), suggesting that these compounds may impact shearwater fledgling morphometrics. Plastic was present in the intestinal tract of 79% of individuals (<7.6 g), although there was no correlation between PFAS concentrations and plastic mass, indicating that ingested plastic is not the likely primary exposure source. The widespread occurrence of PFASs in fledgling marine birds from a relatively pristine location in the Southern Hemisphere suggests that further studies in adult shearwaters and other marine birds are warranted to investigate whether there are any long-term physiological effects on bird species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:799-810. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Szabo
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- School of Science, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Raoul A Mulder
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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46
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De Silva AO, Armitage JM, Bruton TA, Dassuncao C, Heiger-Bernays W, Hu XC, Kärrman A, Kelly B, Ng C, Robuck A, Sun M, Webster TF, Sunderland EM. PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:631-657. [PMID: 33201517 PMCID: PMC7906948 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631-657. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carla Ng
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anna Robuck
- University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI USA
| | - Mei Sun
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC USA
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47
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Lopez-Antia A, Kavelaars MM, Müller W, Bervoets L, Eens M. Understanding PFAAs exposure in a generalist seabird species breeding in the vicinity of a fluorochemical plant: Influence of maternal transfer and diet. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 271:116355. [PMID: 33401211 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are a focus of scientific and regulatory attention nowadays. However, PFAAs dynamics in the environment and the factors that determine wildlife exposure are still not well understood. In this study we examined PFAAs exposure in chicks of a generalist seabird species, the lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), breeding 49 km away of a PFAAs hotspot (a fluorochemical plant in Antwerp, Belgium). In order to study the pathways of PFAAs exposure, we measured how chicks' PFAAs burden varied with age, sex, and body condition. In addition, we related PFAA concentrations to chicks' diet using stable isotope signatures. For this purpose, we studied plasma PFAA concentrations in 1-week and 4-week-old gull chicks. Only 4 (PFOS, PFOA, PFDA and PFNA) out of the 13 target PFAA compounds were detected. Measured concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were generally high compared to other seabird species but were highly variable between individuals. Furthermore, our results suggest that maternal transfer plays a significant role in determining chicks' PFAAs burden, and that there are variable sources of exposure for PFOS and PFOA during post-hatching development. The association between PFOS and specific stable isotopes (i.e. δ15N and δ13C) suggests a higher exposure to PFOS in birds with a predominantly marine diet. We also found that males' condition was positively associated with PFOS plasmatic concentration, probably due to the indirect effect of being fed a high quality (marine) diet which appears PFOS rich. Yet, exact exposure source(s) for PFOA remain(s) unclear. Given that PFOS concentrations measured in some chicks surpassed the toxicity reference value calculated for top avian predators, continued monitoring of exposure and health of this gull population, and other wildlife populations inhabiting the area, is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lopez-Antia
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marwa M Kavelaars
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wendt Müller
- 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
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group (BECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
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48
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Barrett H, Du X, Houde M, Lair S, Verreault J, Peng H. Suspect and Nontarget Screening Revealed Class-Specific Temporal Trends (2000-2017) of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in St. Lawrence Beluga Whales. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1659-1671. [PMID: 33444015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The global use of >3000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has given rise to chemical regulatory action. However, limited information exists regarding current and historical emissions for the majority of PFASs under currently implemented regulations. This study employed suspect and nontarget screening to examine the temporal trends of legacy and unregulated PFASs in liver of the endangered beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) population from the St. Lawrence Estuary in Canada collected from 2000 to 2017. A suite of 54 PFASs were tentatively identified, and were grouped into nine structurally distinct classes. Single-hydrogenated perfluoro carboxylic acids (H-PFCAs), single-hydrogenated sulfonamides (H-Sulfonamides), as well as other select sulfonamides were detected for the first time in wildlife. Greater concentrations of the majority of PFASs were determined in newborns and juveniles than in adults, suggesting effective placental and lactational transfer of PFASs. Legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids and perfluorooctane sulfonamide in beluga whale liver were found to significantly decrease in concentration between 2000 and 2017, while unregulated short-chain PFAS alternatives, H-PFCAs, and odd-chain FTCAs were found to increase over time. The implementation of suspect and nontarget screening revealed class-specific temporal trends of PFASs in SLE beluga whales, and supported continuous emissions of unregulated PFASs into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Xuan Du
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 105 McGill Street, Montréal, Québec H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Stéphane Lair
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de Recherche en Toxicologie de l'Environnement (TOXEN), Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S3H6 Ontario, Canada
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49
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Guardian MGE, Antle JP, Vexelman PA, Aga DS, Simpson SM. Resolving unknown isomers of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in environmental samples using COSMO-RS-derived retention factor and mass fragmentation patterns. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 402:123478. [PMID: 32731116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chromatographic retention factors (k) and mass spectral fragmentation patterns of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were determined using the optimized parameters in liquid chromatography with tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analysis. Characteristic fragment ions obtained at various collision energies (MS2 fragmentation) were used to determine the structures of newly discovered (emerging) PFASs detected from industrial effluent and surface water samples. Moreover, COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Realistic Solvents (COSMO-RS) derived octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow), along with mean isotropic polarizabilities calculated from Density Functional Theory (DFT), of known PFASs were plotted against their experimental k values (kexp) to obtain a multivariable regression model that can be used to predict k values of unknown PFASs. The k values of different structural isomers of unknown PFASs were calculated and compared to kexp. The predicted k value for the isomer that matches the MS2 fragmentation observed was found to be within 4.2 % of kexp. This study demonstrates the applicability of an approach that combines the observed MS2 fragmentation patterns and k values, together with computationally-derived log Kow and polarizabilities, in assigning the structures of unknown PFASs at environmentally relevant conditions when no reference standards are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Grace E Guardian
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
| | - Jonathan P Antle
- Department of Chemistry, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, 14778, United States
| | - Paul A Vexelman
- Department of Chemistry, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, 14778, United States
| | - Diana S Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States.
| | - Scott M Simpson
- Department of Chemistry, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, 14778, United States.
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Paragot N, Bečanová J, Karásková P, Prokeš R, Klánová J, Lammel G, Degrendele C. Multi-year atmospheric concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at a background site in central Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114851. [PMID: 32474357 PMCID: PMC7585738 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A total of 74 high volume air samples were collected at a background site in Czech Republic from 2012 to 2014 in which the concentrations of 20 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were investigated. The total concentrations (gas + particle phase) ranged from 0.03 to 2.08 pg m-3 (average 0.52 pg m-3) for the sum of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (∑PFCAs), from 0.02 to 0.85 pg m-3 (average 0.28 pg m-3) for the sum of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (ΣPFSAs) and from below detection to 0.18 pg m-3 (average 0.05 pg m-3) for the sum of perfluorooctane sulfonamides and sulfonamidoethanols (ΣFOSA/Es). The gas phase concentrations of most PFASs were not controlled by temperature dependent sources but rather by long-range atmospheric transport. Air mass backward trajectory analysis showed that the highest concentrations of PFASs were mainly originating from continental areas. The average particle fractions (θ) of ΣPFCAs (θ = 0.74 ± 0.26) and ΣPFSAs (θ = 0.78 ± 0.22) were higher compared to ΣFOSA/Es (θ = 0.31 ± 0.35). However, they may be subject to sampling artefacts. This is the first study ever reporting PFASs concentrations in air samples collected over consecutive years. Significant decreases in 2012-2014 for PFOA, MeFOSE, EtFOSE and ∑PFCAs were observed with apparent half-lives of 1.01, 0.86, 0.92 and 1.94 years, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Paragot
- Masaryk University, RECETOX Centre, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Bečanová
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Pavlína Karásková
- Masaryk University, RECETOX Centre, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Prokeš
- Masaryk University, RECETOX Centre, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klánová
- Masaryk University, RECETOX Centre, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gerhard Lammel
- Masaryk University, RECETOX Centre, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Céline Degrendele
- Masaryk University, RECETOX Centre, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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