Bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in marine invertebrates and fishes from Antarctica and different coastal areas of Chile

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are widely distributed, and although PFAS may be deleterious to marine organisms, there is a lack of studies in the southern hemisphere. The presence of 29 PFAS in marine invertebrates and fish from Antarctica (Fildes Bay), Patagonia (La Leona Island, Marchant River Mouth), and northern Chile (Pan de Azucar Bay) were studied here. Samples were collected during the austral summer (January-February 2015) and analyzed by Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem ES (-) mass spectrometry. ∑PFAS ranged from 3.03 ng/g dw (dry weight) in Austral red starfish (Odontaster validus) to 120.3 ± 33.7 ng/g dw in red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis). The results showed local contamination and underscores the far-reaching impact of anthropogenic pollutants. Due to the potential health consequences of PFAS exposure it requires having effective regulatory measures to avoid these chemically synthesized substances ending up in remote regions of the southern hemisphere where they could bioaccumulate. The data can serve as a base for further research to understand the full extent of PFAS contamination and its implications for remote ecosystems.

Keywords: Antarctica; Aquatic systems; Marine organisms; Muscle; Patagonia; Perfluoroalkyl acids; Soft tissues.