Perfluoroalkyl Acids: Updating Basin-Wide Temporal Trends and Biomagnification Insights

Session: 32. - Long-Term Monitoring: Achievements, Challenges, and Solutions

Adam Point, Clarkson University, [email protected]
Thomas Holsen, Dept. Civil & Environ. Eng., Clarkson University, [email protected]
Sujan Fernando, Clarkson University, [email protected]
Bernard Crimmins, Clarkson University, [email protected]

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been highly scrutinized since their identification as global environmental contaminants in 2001. Yet, despite the passing of nearly two decades of monitoring, up-to-date PFAA temporal trend data are fairly limited. This data scarcity is especially true regarding the fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes, with only two temporal trend analyses available, both of which are limited to Lake Ontario lake trout and terminate in the early 2000s. Therefore, the response of this precious aquatic ecosystem to industrial phase-outs in 2002 remains largely undefined.  Lake trout tissue from EPA’s GLFMSP archive will be utilized to discern these contemporary PFAA trends. Furthermore, unusual patterns in these compounds’ bioaccumulation and trophic transfer (e.g. lower trophic level organisms showing equal or greater concentrations relative to top predators) suggest incomplete understanding of these complex processes. PFAAs are essentially fluorine-substituted endogenous fatty acids, and literature has routinely highlighted the importance of protein-ligand interactions in PFAA accumulation/elimination. Accordingly, preliminary results probing the potential impact of interspecies blood protein variability on biomagnification across multiple fish species will be presented.

1. Keyword
trout

2. Keyword
environmental contaminants

3. Keyword
monitoring

4. Additional Keyword
Perfluoroalkyl acids

5. Additional Keyword
biomagnification