Bioaccumulation of perfluoroalkyl substances in exploited fish and crustaceans: Spatial trends across two estuarine systems

Matthew D Taylor; Janina Beyer-Robson; Daniel D Johnson; Nathan A Knott; Karl C Bowles

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.029

Bioaccumulation of perfluoroalkyl substances in exploited fish and crustaceans: Spatial trends across two estuarine systems

Mar Pollut Bull. 2018 Jun;131(Pt A):303-313. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.029. Epub 2018 May 7.

Authors

Matthew D Taylor¹, Janina Beyer-Robson², Daniel D Johnson³, Nathan A Knott³, Karl C Bowles⁴

Affiliations

¹ Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, New South Wales 2315, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: matt.taylor@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
² New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Goulburn St, Haymarket, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, New South Wales 2315, Australia.
⁴ New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Goulburn St, Haymarket, New South Wales, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water (Visiting Scientist), Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, New South Wales 2232, Australia.

PMID: 29886951
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.029

Abstract

Spatial patterns in perfluoroalkyl substances were quantified for exploited fish and crustaceans across two contrasting Australian estuaries (Port Stephens and Hunter River). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was detected in 77% of composites from Port Stephens and 100% of composites from Hunter River. Most species from Port Stephens showed a clear trend with distance to source. In contrast, only a subset of species showed this trend in the Hunter River, potentially due to species movement patterns and differing hydrology. Spatial modelling showed that PFOS concentrations were expected to exceed the relevant trigger value up to ~13,500 m from the main point source for Port Stephens and ~9000 m for the Hunter River. These results represent the first major investigation of bioaccumulation of PFASs in exploited species in Australian estuaries, and highlight various factors that can contribute to spatial patterns in bioaccumulation.

Keywords: AFFF; Estuary; Fisheries; Human health; PFASs; PFOA; PFOS.

MeSH terms

Alkanesulfonic Acids / analysis
Animals
Australia
Crustacea*
Estuaries
Fishes*
Fluorocarbons / analysis*
Food Contamination
Rivers
Seafood / analysis
Species Specificity
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Alkanesulfonic Acids
Fluorocarbons
Water Pollutants, Chemical
perfluorooctane sulfonic acid