| dc.description.abstract | The concentrations of 15 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), including ten perfluorocarboxylic acids (C5-C14), three perfluoro alkylsulfonic acids (C4, C6, C8) and two perfluorinated sulfonamides (PFOSA, N-Et-PFOSA) were examined in livers of 128 by-catched harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) individuals from the Norwegian coast collected during September - October 2016 and February - April 2017. The nonfluorinated lipid Deca S was analysed for along with the other target analytes to observe behavioural similarities. The samples were extracted with 0.001% ammonium formate in methanol using HybridSPE based on a protocol of Honda et al., 2018.1 Instrumental analysis was conducted with liquid chromatography coupled with negative electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
All target analytes were detected and quantified, but only PFOS was found in all of the 128 samples. The highest mean concentrations were found for PFHxA, PFOS and PFPA. A significant negative correlation between PFNA, PFTrA, PFOS and PFDA concentrations and body size of the individuals was found. Most target analytes were detected in higher concentrations in males than in females. Geographic patterns were ambivalent. The most remote areas displayed the lowest concentrations for the most part. However, some of the highest concentrations were detected in samples from Varangerfjord, a scarcely populated area in the northeast of Norway.
The results of this study show the need of increased emphasis on the environmental monitoring of shorter-chain compounds such as PFHxA and PFPA. In addition, more large-scale studies are needed in order to investigate the distribution of PFCs between males and females and different age groups. | |