Per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous environmental
contaminants that have been linked to adverse health effects in wildlife
and humans. Here, we report the presence of PFASs in Eurasian otters
(
Lutra lutra
) in England and Wales
and their association with anthropogenic sources. The following 15
compounds were analyzed: 10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs),
4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), and perfluorooctane sulfonamide,
in livers of 50 otters which died between 2007 and 2009. PFASs were
detected in all otters analyzed, with 12/15 compounds detected in
≥80% of otters. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) accounted
for 75% of the ΣPFAS profile, with a maximum concentration of
6800 μg/kg wet weight (ww). Long-chain (≥C8) PFCAs accounted
for 99.9% of the ΣPFCA profile, with perfluorodecanoic acid
and perfluorononanoic acid having the highest maxima (369 μg/kg
ww and 170 μg/kg ww, respectively). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
concentrations were negatively associated with the distance from a
factory that used PFOA in polytetrafluoroethylene manufacture. Most
PFAS concentrations in otters were positively associated with load
entering wastewater treatment works (WWTW) and with arable land, suggesting
that WWTW effluent and sewage sludge-amended soils are significant
pathways of PFASs into freshwaters. Our results reveal the widespread
pollution of British freshwaters with PFASs and demonstrate the utility
of otters as effective sentinels for spatial variation in PFAS concentrations.
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