High Accumulation of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) in Marine Tucuxi Dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from the Brazilian Coast

Abstract

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and other perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) were measured in liver samples from 29 marine tucuxi dolphins from Rio de Janeiro state (RJ), Brazil. PFC measurement combined liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, using a CapLC system connected to a Quadrupole-LIT mass spectrometer. PFOS was the only PFC detected and it was so in all samples. PFOS concentrations (ng · g -1 dw) of dolphins (n ) 23) from the highly contaminated Guanabara Bay (in RJ) varied between 43 and 2431 as well as between 76 and 427 from areas of RJ other than the quoted bay (n ) 6). Concentrations of three fetuses and one neonate varied between 664 and 1590. Fetus/mother ratios were calculated in two situations (2.75 and 2.62). It seems that mother-to-calf transference plays important role for relationships between PFOS and age. When a one-year-old male calf presenting 2431 ng · g -1 dw was excluded from the test, significant correlations were observed between PFOS concentrations and both age and total length. Despite the placental transference, PFOS concentrations were not significantly lower in females than in males. PFOS levels in marine tucuxi dolphins from Guanabara Bay are among the highest detected to date in cetaceans, and this may represent a threat to the small population concerned.

High accumulation of PCDD, PCDF, and PCB congeners in marine mammals from Brazil: A serious PCB problem

“…The concerns generated by the DRC contamination are amplified when it is taken into account that these cetaceans are exposed to other persistent bioaccumulative toxicants (PBTs) that have been shown to be endocrine disrupters, tumor promoters and immunosuppressors as well (Schecter et al, 2006;Simonyte et al, 2006;Sonne et al, 2006a;Whalen et al, 1999). The high exposure of cetaceans from Brazil to cadmium (Dorneles et al, 2007a(Dorneles et al, , 2007b, mercury (Lailson-Brito et al, 2012a), organochlorine pesticides (Lailson-Brito et al, 2011, 2010, 2012b, as well as to organotin (Dorneles et al, 2008b), perfluoroalkyl (Dorneles et al, 2008a) and organobrominated (Alonso et al, 2012;Dorneles et al, 2010) compounds has already been reported. Therefore, the possibility of synergistic effects among these PBTs should not be ruled out.…”

Trends of polyfluoroalkyl compounds in marine biota and in humans

“…PFOSA was also reported in mammals as a metabolic product of N-EtFOSA, used as an insecticide, named Sulfluramid, for agricultural control of leaf-cutting ants in Brazil as well as for the domestic control of cockroaches and termites. [93][94][95] In mammals, PFOSA can rapidly be metabolised to PFOS. [93] Remarkably high PFOSA concentrations (in the same order as PFOS) were reported in liver of whales from the Canadian Arctic, from Iceland and the Faroe Islands and from Japan as well as in dolphins from Brazil (Table 1).…”

“…[93][94][95] In mammals, PFOSA can rapidly be metabolised to PFOS. [93] Remarkably high PFOSA concentrations (in the same order as PFOS) were reported in liver of whales from the Canadian Arctic, from Iceland and the Faroe Islands and from Japan as well as in dolphins from Brazil (Table 1). It was reported that PFOSA concentrations in cetaceans were often higher than those of PFOS.…”

“…[77] PFOSA is known to be an intermediate in the production process of several PFCs and it also appears in mammals as a metabolic product of N-EtFOSA. [93,95] In mammals, PFOSA can rapidly be metabolised to PFOS. [93] PFOSA concentrations in cetaceans were often higher than those of PFOS, whereas concentrations in seabirds and in marine fish were generally low.…”

“…[93,95] In mammals, PFOSA can rapidly be metabolised to PFOS. [93] PFOSA concentrations in cetaceans were often higher than those of PFOS, whereas concentrations in seabirds and in marine fish were generally low. High amounts in fish probably indicate different sources of exposure.…”