Distribution of Legacy and Emerging PFASs in a Terrestrial Ecosystem Located near a Fluorochemical Manufacturing Facility

This study investigated the distribution of 29 legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in soil, nettles, invertebrates, and plasma and feathers of great tits (Parus major) of a terrestrial ecosystem near a fluorochemical plant. Additionally, the vertical distribution of PFASs in soil was assessed, as well as taxon-specific differences among terrestrial invertebrate species. Finally, associations between soil and biota, and among biological matrices, were assessed. Most accumulation profiles were dominated by long-chained PFASs, mainly perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), while short-chained PFASs were less detected. Long-chained perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) adsorbed in the upper soil layers, while short-chained PFAS and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) tended to migrate deeper. The several taxon-specific differences were likely due to dietary differences. Significant associations, especially for long-chained PFCAs and PFOS, were found among most matrices. This indicates that (1) these PFASs found in these matrices are most likely originating from the same pollution source, (2) there is a possible transfer of these PFASs between matrices, (3) there is bioaccumulation from one to another matrix, and (4) some matrices might be used as proxies to estimate PFAS concentrations in other terrestrial matrices. Finally, feathers accumulated more PFASs than plasma, as they were most likely exposed through different routes of exposure and PFAS affinity. Therefore, they are not suitable for internal PFAS monitoring but can provide complementary information about the exposure and about the presence/absence of PFASs in certain habitats.