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Migration histories and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) loads in an estuarine fish: a novel union of analyses to understand variation in contaminant concentrations

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 04:08 authored by Taylor, MD, Gillanders, BM, Nilsson, S, Braunig, J, Thomas BarnesThomas Barnes, Mueller, JF

Previous studies have shown that accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the tissues of aquatic species is highly variable. Movement and migration patterns in these species represent an important consideration when evaluating contaminant accumulation in exposed biota, and may have a large influence on the risk profiles for migratory seafood species. In this study, relationships between PFAA concentrations in muscle and liver tissue, and recent fish migration history (inferred from metals profiles in fish otoliths, otherwise known as otolith chemistry) were evaluated in Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus). A greater number of PFAAs, and higher concentrations, were found in liver compared to muscle tissue. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was present in highest concentrations in both muscle and liver tissues, and there was strong correlation in concentrations between these two tissues. PFOS was found to decrease and increase alongside recent strontium and barium concentrations (respectively) in the otolith, suggesting higher concentrations of PFAAs in fish recently exposed to comparatively lower salinity environments. This study highlights how otolith chemistry can be employed to examine links between contaminant concentrations in fish, and their recent migration history. This approach shows promise for studying contaminant residues in mobile seafood species within the natural environment.

History

Publication title

Environmental Pollution

Volume

276

Article number

116686

Number

116686

Pagination

1-10

ISSN

0269-7491

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Elsevier Sci Ltd

Place of publication

The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox5 1Gb

Rights statement

Crown Copyright © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Aquaculture prawns

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