Prevalence of Long-Chained Perfluorinated Carboxylates in Seabirds from the Canadian Arctic between 1975 and 2004

Abstract

Temporal trends in perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) were investigated in liver samples from two seabird species, thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) and northern fulmars (Fulmaris glacialis), from Prince Leopold Island in the Canadian Arctic. Thick-billed murre samples were from 1975, 1993, and 2004, whereas northern fulmars were from 1975, 1987, 1993, and 2003. Between 8 and 10 individuals were analyzed per year. Analytes included C7-C15 perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs) and their suspected precursors, the 8:2 & 10:2 fluorotelomer saturated and unsaturated carboxylates (FTCAs, FTUCAs), C6, C8 (perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS), C10 sulfonates, and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA). Liver samples were homogenized, liquid-liquid extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether, cleaned-up using hexafluoropropanol, and analyzed by LC-MS/ MS. Overall, concentrations in seabirds were lower than those in other marine animals that occupy similar or higher trophic positions. In contrast to most other wildlife samples, PFC profiles were dominated by the PFCAs which comprised 81% and 93% of total PFC profiles in the 2004 thick-billed murre and 2003 northern fulmar samples, respectively. As well, the PFCA profiles were mainly comprised of the C11-C15 PFCAs, which appears to be unique among other wildlife species. PFC concentrations were found to increase significantly from 1975 to 2003/2004. Doubling times in thick-billed murres ranged from 2.3 yrs for perfluoropentadecanoate (PFPA) to 9.9 yrs for perfluorododecanoate (PFDoA), and from 2.5 yrs for PFPA to 11.7 yrs for perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) in northern fulmars. PFCA concentration increases in thick-billed murres were significant for both time periods (1975-1993, 1993-2004), but in northern fulmars appeared to remain steady after 1993. Differences in the temporal trends observed may be the result of differing migratory patterns of the seabirds. Finally, the detection of the 8:2 and 10:2 FTUCAs in seabirds is suggestive of fluorotelomer alcohols as a source of some PFCAs.