Bioaccumulation, trophic transfer and biomagnification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the marine food web of the South China Sea


Du D., Lu Y., Zhou Y., Li Q., Zhang M., Han G., ...More

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, vol.405, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 405
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124681
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: PFAAs, Marine organisms, Bioaccumulation, Trophic transfer, Biomagnification, PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS, POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES PFASS, FLUOROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL PARK, PERFLUORINATED ALKYL ACIDS, SHORT-CHAIN PFAAS, COASTAL WATERS, FRESH-WATER, BEIBU GULF, PERFLUOROOCTANE SULFONATE, POLYFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Knowledge about bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in food webs is of tremendous importance in contaminant hazards evaluation. Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are widely distributed, and its emissions to coastal areas have posed a threat to the health of marine organisms and consumers. In this study, 15 species were sampled from Qinzhou Bay of the South China Sea. The concentrations of PFAAs in organisms were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the trophic positions of organisms were constructed based on nitrogen isotope analysis. PFAAs were found in all organisms. The contents of PFOS in all organisms were higher than of PFOA, and the proportions of short-chain PFAAs were higher in the low trophic positioned organisms, while long-chain PFAAs were higher in the high trophic positioned organisms. Moreover, the bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) increased with the increasing number of fluorocarbon atoms. The trophic magnification factor (TMF) and the biomagnification factors (BMFs), calculated from the constructed food webs, together suggested potential biomagnification effects of PFOS, while less clear results were found for PFOA. Our results further indicate that previously banned long-chain PFAAs had persistent residuals in this coastal marine ecosystem, and that emerging short-chain PFAAs had high concentrations in some species but showed no biomagnification.