Perfluoroalkylated acids in the eggs of great tits (Parus major) near a fluorochemical plant in Flanders, Belgium

Groffen, T; Lopez-Antia, A; D'Hollander, W; Prinsen, E; Eens, M; Bervoets, L

HERO ID

3859504

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2017

Language

English

PMID

28528261

HERO ID 3859504
In Press No
Year 2017
Title Perfluoroalkylated acids in the eggs of great tits (Parus major) near a fluorochemical plant in Flanders, Belgium
Authors Groffen, T; Lopez-Antia, A; D'Hollander, W; Prinsen, E; Eens, M; Bervoets, L
Journal Environmental Pollution
Volume 228
Issue Elsevier
Page Numbers 140-148
Abstract Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are highly persistent substances which have been detected in wildlife around the world, including birds. Although bird eggs have often been used to determine and monitor PFAAs levels in the marine environment, this has rarely been done in the terrestrial environment. In the present study we examined the concentrations and composition profile of 12 PFAAs (4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and 8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the eggs of great tits (Parus major) collected at a fluorochemical plant and in three other areas, representing a gradient in distance from the pollution source (from 1 to 70 km), in Antwerp, Belgium. The PFSA concentrations measured at the site of the fluorochemical plant were among the highest ever reported in eggs with median concentrations of 10380 ng/g (extrapolated), 99.3 ng/g and 47.7 ng/g for PFOS, PFHxS and PFDS respectively. Furthermore, the median concentration of 19.8 ng/g for PFOA was also among the highest ever reported in bird eggs. Although these concentrations decreased sharply with distance from the fluorochemical plant, levels found in the adjacent sites were still high compared to what has been reported in literature. Moreover, based on what is known in literature, it is likely that these concentrations may cause toxicological effects. PFOS was the dominant contributor to the PFSA and PFAAs (63.4-97.6%) profile at each site, whereas for PFCAs this was PFOA at the plant site and the nearest locations (41.0-52.8%) but PFDoA (37.7%) at the farthest location. Although there is some evidence that PFAAs concentrations close to the plant site are decreasing in comparison with earlier measurements, which may be due to the phase out of PFOS, more research is necessary to understand the extent of the toxicological effects in the vicinity of this PFAAs hotspot.
Doi 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.007
Pmid 28528261
Wosid WOS:000405042100016
Url https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S026974911730413X
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Journal: Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) ISSN:
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Perfluoroalkyl acids; PFAAs; Birds; Eggs; Belgium; Great tit