Perfluorinated compounds in red-throated divers from the German Baltic Sea: new findings from their distribution in 10 different tissues

Abstract

Environmental context. Perfluorinated compounds are commonly used chemicals that are detected globally in all environmental matrices. We investigated the extent of contamination by perfluorinated compounds in the red-throated diver, a marine predatory bird, and observed an unusual distribution of perfluorinated compounds in tissues. The data help us to better understand the behaviour of these contaminants in organisms.Abstract. Twenty poly-and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were investigated in four red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) from the German Baltic Sea sampled in 2005. Concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), alkylated perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides, alkylated perfluoroalkyl sulfonamidoethanols and perfluorooctane sulfonamides were determined in blood, brain, fatty tissue, gall bladder, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and spleen by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). For quantification standard addition was applied. Twelve compounds were detected with average total PFC concentrations ranging from 42 ng g À1 in muscle to 220 ng g À1 in liver samples. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the major compound in each of the 40 tissue samples. Except for brain, perfluoroundecanoate was the dominant PFCA. In brain samples preferential enrichment of long-chain PFSAs and PFCAs was observed. The total PFC body burden was estimated to 100 AE 39 mg. Multivariate statistical analyses supported the identification of the preferred accumulation 'location' of individual PFCs in the birds' body.

Perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and carboxylic acids in liver, muscle and adipose tissues of black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) from Midway Island, North Pacific Ocean

“…PFCAs, such as PFOA and PFNA, which were monitored in other environment investigations, showed a similar tissue distribution (liver > muscle ≥ adipose). This tissue distribution is in agreement with available literature in other investigations of fish and wildlife (Rubarth et al, 2011; Holmstrom et al, 2008; Verreault et al, 2005; Greaves and Letcher, 2013; Van de Vijver et al, 2005 and 2007). In the present study, the concentration of PFOS in albatross adipose tissues was about one of tenth of that in liver samples (3.3 ng g -1 ww vs. 36.05 ng g -1 ww).…”

“…In the present study, the concentration of PFOS in albatross adipose tissues was about one of tenth of that in liver samples (3.3 ng g -1 ww vs. 36.05 ng g -1 ww). This distribution is consistent with the results found in red-throated divers ( Gavia stellata ) sampled from the Baltic Sea (Rubarth et al, 2011). However, the PFOS ratio of C adipose /C liver found in the present study is much higher than that found in mammal samples, such as polar bear from East Greenland (Greaves and Letcher, 2013).…”

Brain region distribution and patterns of bioaccumulative perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and sulfonates in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

“…This trend has previously been observed in the brain of red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) from the Baltic Sea [20] as well as in the liver of polar bears and other Arctic species [2,37]. This odd-even relationship seems to be indicative of PFCA sources in the Arctic.…”

“…Although concentrations of PFOS and other PFCAs and PFSAs in the liver of polar bears have been shown to be extremely high [3], no studies have investigated levels of any PFASs in other tissues or body compartments, including the brain or among brain regions [17,[19][20][21][22][23][24]. In the brain, PFOS has been detected following laboratory animal exposure [25], demonstrating its ability to cross the BBB.…”

Disposition of perfluorododecanoic acid in male rats after oral administration

“…PFCAs with more than 9 carbon atoms have been also detected in fish (Stahl et al, 2014) and wildlife (Ahrens et al, 2009;Rubarth et al, 2011). These findings suggest that humans are also exposed to such PFCAs.…”