Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicology Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North West University, 11 Hoffman Street, 2520 Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Sci Total Environ. 2018 Jun 15;627:1334-1344. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.023. Epub 2018 Feb 20.
Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent chemicals, which have a bioaccumulative potential and can be found in wildlife around the world. Although multiple studies have been performed on PFASs pollution of the aquatic environment, little is known on PFASs pollution on the African continent and their possible risks for human health. In the present study, we examined the distribution of 15 PFASs in fish, invertebrates, sediment and water, collected at three sites, representing a gradient of industrial and mining pollution, along the Vaal River, South Africa. Furthermore, possible risks for human health through consumption of contaminated fish were examined. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most dominant PFAS measured in biota, whereas perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) was measured in higher concentrations in water. Mean PFAS concentrations in water ranged from <LOQ to 38.5ng/L. PFAS concentrations in water decreased along the gradient and were similar or lower compared to other studies in Europe, Asia and America. PFAS measurements in sediment were <LOQ, with the exception of PFOS at Thabela Thabeng (2.36ng/g dry weight (dw)). Average ∑PFAS concentrations in biota increased along the gradient and ranged from <LOQ to 34.5ng/g wet weight (ww) in invertebrates, <LOQ to 289ng/g ww in liver and <LOQ to 34.0ng/g ww in muscle tissue. Although PFOS concentrations were relatively high compared to literature, concentrations of other PFASs were rather low. A potential risk for humans through consumption of PFAS-contaminated fish was assessed. Tolerable daily intake values (grams of fish that can be eaten daily without risking health effects) were much lower than the average South African fish consumption per day, implying a potential risk for human health through consumption of PFAS contaminated fish. CAPSULE: Concentrations of perfluorinated compounds in water, sediment, fish and invertebrates from the Vaal River were low or intermediate and posed a potential risk for human health through consumption of contaminated fish.
全氟烷基物质（PFASs）是高度持久的化学物质，具有生物蓄积潜力，在世界各地的野生动物中都有发现。尽管已经对 PFASs 对水生环境的污染进行了多项研究，但对非洲大陆的 PFASs 污染及其对人类健康的可能风险知之甚少。在本研究中，我们研究了南非瓦尔河三个地点采集的鱼类、无脊椎动物、沉积物和水中的 15 种 PFASs 的分布情况，这些地点代表了工业和采矿污染的梯度。此外，还研究了通过食用受污染鱼类对人类健康可能造成的风险。在生物群中，全氟辛烷磺酸（PFOS）是测量到的最主要的 PFAS，而全氟戊酸（PFPeA）在水中的浓度更高。水中的平均 PFAS 浓度范围从低于检测限到 38.5ng/L。随着梯度的降低，水中的 PFAS 浓度与欧洲、亚洲和美洲的其他研究相似或更低。沉积物中的 PFAS 测量值低于检测限，除了 Thabela Thabeng 的 PFOS（2.36ng/g 干重（dw））。生物群中∑PFAS 的平均浓度随着梯度的增加而增加，无脊椎动物中范围从低于检测限到 34.5ng/g 湿重（ww），肝脏中范围从低于检测限到 289ng/g ww，肌肉组织中范围从低于检测限到 34.0ng/g ww。尽管与文献相比，PFOS 的浓度相对较高，但其他 PFAS 的浓度则较低。通过食用受 PFAS 污染的鱼类对人类造成潜在风险进行了评估。可耐受每日摄入量值（每天可以食用而不会对健康产生影响的鱼类克数）远低于南非人每天的平均鱼类摄入量，这意味着通过食用受 PFAS 污染的鱼类对人类健康可能存在潜在风险。总结：从瓦尔河采集的水、沉积物、鱼类和无脊椎动物中的全氟化合物浓度较低或处于中等水平，通过食用受污染的鱼类对人类健康构成潜在风险。
