Comparing the Ecotoxicological Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) on Freshwater Microbial Community

Abstract

The ubiquitous presence of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) around the globe has attracted increasing attention, due to their persistency, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Nevertheless, the ecotoxicological effects of the compounds on aquatic microorganisms has remained understudied. Hence, the present study focused on determining, and comparing, the effects of regulated long-chain PFCA, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and nonregulated short-chain PFCA, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), on the diversity, structure, microbial growth, and activity of a freshwater microbial community. In the experiment, lake water was incubated for a period of four weeks at three different concentrations of the studied PFCAs: 100 ng/L, 100 μg/L, and 10 mg/L. The results suggested that both compounds at high concentration (10 mg/L) altered the structure of the microbial community, but the diversity was not affected. Both compounds also decreased the microbial biovolume at higher concentrations and the increasing dose added to the significance of the impact, whereas inhibition of net microbial respiration could not be demonstrated. PFOA showed more potent toxicity towards the microbial community as it caused more significant structural changes to the community and significantly inhibited microbial growth even at the low 100 ng/L concentration. This study helps to better understand the ecotoxicity of PFCAs and to assess the environmental risks associated with their use. Additionally, these results can help policy makers to better assess the environmental risks posed by short-chain PFCAs on aquatic ecosystems.

PFAS: A Review of the State of the Art, from Legislation to Analytical Approaches and Toxicological Aspects for Assessing Contamination in Food and Environment and Related Risks

“…In recent decades, major studies on the toxicological effects of perfluoroalkyl substances have focused on two of the first legacy compounds discovered, PFOS and PFOA, that are the most representative molecules for perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), respectively [50][51][52][53][54]. Laine et al [55] addressed, beside PFOA, PFHxA as a potential ecotoxicological compound for the freshwater microbial community. Statistical analysis showed that both PFOA and PFHxA at elevated doses considerably modified the composition of the microbial community.…”

Utilizing a Population-Genetic Framework to Test for Gene-Environment Interactions between Zebrafish Behavior and Chemical Exposure

“…PFHxA is a short-chain member of a subgroup of PFASs called perfluoro carboxylic acids (PFCAs) that is water soluble. Toxicity information on such short-chain molecules is scarce and hence it is still unclear whether these compounds are a safe long-term alternative for the long-chain PFASs in terms of environmental and human health [12]. Here, using a rigorous, family-based study design, we evaluate the differences in intra class correlation (ICC) of larval photomotor response and gene expression between full-sibling families based on different levels of PFHxA exposures.…”