Using environmental monitoring data from apex predators for chemicals management: towards better use of monitoring data from apex predators in support of prioritisation and risk assessment of chemicals in Europe

Abstract

A large number of apex predator samples are available in European research collections, environmental specimen banks and natural history museums that could be used in chemical monitoring and regulation. Apex predators bioaccumulate pollutants and integrate contaminant exposure over large spatial and temporal scales, thus providing key information for risk assessments. Still, present assessment practices under the different European chemical legislations hardly use existing chemical monitoring data from top predators. Reasons include the lack of user-specific guidance and the fragmentation of data across time and space. The European LIFE APEX project used existing sample collections and applied state-of-the-art target and non-target screening methods, resulting in the detection of > 4,560 pollutants including legacy compounds. We recommend establishing infrastructures that include apex predators as an early warning system in Europe. Chemical data of apex species from freshwater, marine and terrestrial compartments should become an essential component in future chemical assessment and management across regulations, with the purpose to (1) validate registration data with ‘real world’ measurements and evaluate the predictability of current models; (2) identify and prioritise hazardous chemicals for further assessment; (3) use data on food web magnification as one line of evidence to assess biomagnification; (4) determine the presence of (bio)transformations products and typical chemical mixtures, and (5) evaluate the effectiveness of risk management measures by trend analysis. We highlight the achievements of LIFE APEX with regard to novel trend and mixture analysis tools and prioritisation schemes. The proposed advancements complement current premarketing regulatory assessments and will allow the detection of contaminants of emerging concern at an early stage, trigger risk management measures and evaluations of their effects with the ultimate goal to protect humans and the environment. This is the second policy brief of the LIFE APEX project.

Making use of apex predator sample collections: an integrated workflow for quality assured sample processing, analysis and digital sample freezing of archived samples

“…apex predators and other biota samples are available in many European institutions (ESBs, RCs and NHMs). By applying the presented integrated workflow for quality assured sample collection, processing, preparation and analysis, we demonstrate how the use of archived samples can be maximised for chemicals management, especially when apex predators are sampled in the same spatiotemporal context as potential prey species (Treu et al, 2022). Subsequent digital sample freezing of HRMS data allows for a fast provision of exposure data as well as for retrospective screening for chemicals that may be of interest/under assessment in future without the need of reanalysing the samples.…”

“…Chemical information from apex predators can e.g. be used to assess the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures in case of trend data as well as in a weight of evidence approach to support the assessment of hazard endpoints, in particular bioaccumulation (Treu et al, 2022).…”

Persistence of PFOA Pollution at a PTFE Production Site and Occurrence of Replacement PFASs in English Freshwaters Revealed by Sentinel Species, the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

“…This puts freshwater environments at particular risk, and freshwater wildlife often record the highest concentrations of PFASs compared to terrestrial and marine organisms. , Such freshwater contamination also poses a risk to humans, via abstraction of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Apex predators can provide valuable information on the presence of contaminants in ecological receptors and humans, and they are effective at illustrating large-scale variation in environmental pollution and thus provide a means of evaluating the success of mitigation measures. , In the UK, Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) have been used as a sentinel species for monitoring bioaccumulating chemicals in freshwaters. , Otters are apex predators with a predominately piscivorous diet, relatively long lifespan and nonmigratory nature, and the potential to collect samples noninvasively through carcass collection allows for the quantification of spatial and temporal variation. , In a previous study, we used the Eurasian otter to examine spatial variation in PFAS concentrations across England and Wales . PFASs were detected in all otters analyzed, and results suggested wastewater effluent and sewage sludge amended soils are important sources of PFASs to British freshwaters.…”

“… 23 , 24 Such freshwater contamination also poses a risk to humans, via abstraction of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Apex predators can provide valuable information on the presence of contaminants in ecological receptors and humans, and they are effective at illustrating large-scale variation in environmental pollution 25 and thus provide a means of evaluating the success of mitigation measures. 26 , 27 In the UK, Eurasian otters ( Lutra lutra ) have been used as a sentinel species for monitoring bioaccumulating chemicals in freshwaters.…”