In an effort to determine contaminant presence, concentrations, and movement from a low‐level radioactive waste (LLRW) burial disposal site to ecosystems in the surrounding area, a study was developed to assess concentrations of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and tritium. To complete this assessment small mammals, vegetation, soil, and insect samples were collected from areas within and adjacent to the Beatty, Nevada, LLRW site and from a reference area located approximately 3 km south of the LLRW site. Samples underwent analysis via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, or scintillation spectroscopy depending on the analyte of interest. Small mammal tissues showed maximum concentrations of over 1700 ng/g for PFAS, 1600 ng/g for PCBs, and 10 000 Bq/kg for tritium. The primary contaminants found in soil samples were PCBs, with maximum concentrations exceeding 25 ng/g. Trace amounts of PFAS were also detected in soils and insects. Only qualitative data were obtained from vegetation samples because of the complex matrix of the dominant plant species (creosote bush; Larrea tridentata [Sessé & Moc. ex DC.] Coville). Overall, these data indicate the presence of various anthropogenic contaminants in the ecosystem surrounding the LLRW area, but additional analyses are necessary to confirm the sources and migration pathways of PFAS and PCBs in this hyperarid environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:727–734. © 2020 SETAC

中文翻译：

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在低放射性废物场附近收集的沙漠啮齿动物中检测到的新出现和历史污染物

为了确定污染物的存在、浓度以及从低放射性废物 (LLRW) 掩埋处置场到周边地区生态系统的移动，开展了一项研究来评估全氟和多氟烷基物质 (PFAS)、多氯联苯 (PCB) 和氚。为了完成此评估，从 LLRW 站点内华达州比蒂内和附近的区域以及位于 LLRW 站点以南约 3 公里的参考区域收集了小型哺乳动物、植被、土壤和昆虫样本。根据感兴趣的分析物，通过液相色谱串联质谱、气相色谱质谱或闪烁光谱对样品进行分析。小型哺乳动物组织中 PFAS 的最大浓度超过 1700 ng/g，PCBs 的最大浓度超过 1600 ng/g，氚为 10 000 Bq/kg。在土壤样品中发现的主要污染物是 PCB，最大浓度超过 25 ng/g。在土壤和昆虫中也检测到痕量的全氟和多氟烷基物质。由于优势植物物种（杂酚油灌木；Larrea tridentata [Sessé & Moc. ex DC.] Coville）。总体而言，这些数据表明 LLRW 地区周围的生态系统中存在各种人为污染物，但还需要进行额外的分析，以确认这种极度干旱环境中 PFAS 和 PCB 的来源和迁移途径。环境毒理学化学2021；40：727-734。© 2020 SETAC