Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a legacy contaminant that has been detected globally within the environment and throughout numerous species, including humans. Despite an international ban on its use, this unique contaminant continues to persist in organisms and their surroundings due to PFOS’s inability to breakdown into nontoxic forms resulting in bioaccumulation. In this study, we analyzed the effects of a technical mixture of PFOS (linear and branched isomers) in the adult Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, at 2 days and 7 days exposure. Biomarker analysis (lysosomal destabilization, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione assays) in oyster tissue along with chemical analysis (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) of PFOS in oyster tissue and water samples revealed the oysters’ ability to overcome exposures without significant damage to lipid membranes or the glutathione phase II enzyme system; however, significant cellular lysosomal damage was observed. The oysters were able to eliminate up to 96% of PFOS at 0.3 mg/L and 3 mg/L exposures when allowed to depurate for 2 days in clean seawater. Chemical analysis showed the linear isomer to be the prevailing fraction of the residual PFOS contained in oyster tissue. Results provide insight into possible detrimental cellular effects of PFOS exposure in addition to offering insight into contaminant persistence in oyster tissue.
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Data Availability
Data can be obtained from Allisan Aquilina-Beck on request (allisan.beck@noaa.gov).
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge Dr. Paul Pennington (NOAA, Charleston, SC) for the statistical assistance, along with Blaine West and James Daugomah for help with oyster collection. Special thanks to Emily Pisarski, Dr. Erik Davenport, and Dr. Katherine Peter for their critical review of this manuscript.
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Supplementary material 1: Extracted ion chromatogram of PFOS (transition 499 > 80) in water samples 24 h post dose (1) control water, (2) 0.3 ppm dosed water, and (3) 3.0 ppm dosed water. (DOCX 52 kb)
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Aquilina-Beck, A.A., Reiner, J.L., Chung, K.W. et al. Uptake and Biological Effects of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Exposure in the Adult Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 79, 333–342 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00765-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00765-4