Levels, accumulation patterns and retrospective trends of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in terrestrial ecosystems over the last three decades

Falk, S; Stahl, T; Fliedner, A; Ruedel, H; Tarricone, K; Brunn, H; Koschorreck, Jan

HERO ID

5084715

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2019

Language

English

PMID

31159142

HERO ID 5084715
In Press No
Year 2019
Title Levels, accumulation patterns and retrospective trends of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in terrestrial ecosystems over the last three decades
Authors Falk, S; Stahl, T; Fliedner, A; Ruedel, H; Tarricone, K; Brunn, H; Koschorreck, Jan
Journal Environmental Pollution
Volume 246
Page Numbers 921-931
Abstract As a result of their ubiquitous presence in the environment perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been demonstrated in numerous organisms worldwide, in particular in those of higher trophic levels. The fact that PFAAs have been detected in various human matrices, together with the resultant potential human health risks, knowledge of possible paths of entry and distribution in various ecosystems, is of great importance. In this context pooled samples of terrestrial ecosystems - roe deer liver (n = 141), earthworms (n = 44) as well as leaves from beech and poplar trees (n = 70) - from the year 1989-2015 were obtained from the German Environmental Specimen Bank and examined for the presence of 11 PFAAs for the first time. In addition to determining individual and total PFAA concentrations, temporal trends have been deduced in order to determine the effectiveness of regulatory measures. The highest total mean concentration of PFAAs (sum of the concentrations of the 11 analytes) were 9.9 μg/kg in the roe deer liver samples, followed by earthworm samples with a mean PFAA concentration of 3.5 μg/kg and leaves with a mean total concentration of 2.5 μg/kg. In regard to temporal trends there was a significant reduction of concentrations for perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid in roe deer liver from 2003 to 2015, an indication of the effectiveness of regulatory measures. The same is true for the perfluorooctane sulfonate concentrations in earthworms and for perfluorooctanoic acid concentrations in the leaves. In contrast, an increase in perfluorobutanoic acid concentrations was observed from 2003 to 2015 in all three matrices. In summary it must be noted that in spite of the discernible effectiveness of minimization strategies, PFAAs are still detectable in terrestrial matrices and concentrations of other PFAAs as perfluorobutanoic acid appear to be increasing.
Doi 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.095
Pmid 31159142
Wosid WOS:000458222100105
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Scopus URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85060335365&doi=10.1016%2fj.envpol.2018.12.095&partnerID=40&md5=3fa45552891c9cb6334b3c3f2e89836e
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Terrestrial ecosystem; Temporal trends for PFAAs; Roe deer liver; Earthworm; Leaves