Occurrence and potential ecological risks of PFAS in Pampulha Lake, Brazil, a UNESCO world heritage site

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2024-10, Vol.948, p.174586, Article 174586
• Main Authors: V.M. Starling, Maria Clara, Rodrigues, Daniel A.S., Miranda, Gisele A., Jo, Suna, Amorim, Camila C., Ankley, Gerald T., Simcik, Matt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkanesulfonic Acids - analysis; Animals; Bioaccumulation; Brazil; Caprylates - analysis; Ecological risk; Emerging contaminants; Environmental Monitoring; Fishes; Fluorocarbons - analysis; Lakes - chemistry; Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; Risk Assessment; Urban lake; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174586

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise >4000 synthetic substances used in industrial applications and consumer products. PFAS used daily in households and manufacturing plants end up in domestic sewage, and industrial effluents can be discharged to surface water. Urban watersheds located in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), which lack sanitation infrastructure, are potential recipients of waste containing PFAS. Yet, only a few studies report PFAS occurrence in urban reservoirs and lakes, especially those located in the Global South due to resource limitations. This is the first study aimed to assess PFAS occurrence and ecological risks in Pampulha Lake, Brazil, a site which represents the reality of many other urban watersheds in LMIC as it is surrounded by densely populated areas and manufacturing plants. Surface water samples were collected monthly for 1 year from four sampling points at Pampulha Lake. Sample analysis was based on US Environmental Protection Agency Method 1633, which employs solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves were built to identify potentially susceptible species based on detected water concentrations. Bioaccumulation was estimated for fish tissue. Short-chain (perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, PFBS and perfluorohexanoic acid, PFHxA) and long-chain PFAS (perfluorodecanoic acid, PFDA; perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA; perfluorododecanoic acid, PFDoA; and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, PFOS) were detected at the μg L−1 range. Total PFAS concentrations in the wet season were generally higher than in the dry season, likely due to limited capacity of the treatment plant processing water from tributaries which receive raw sewage. More than 5 % of aquatic species are potentially susceptible to chronic effects of PFOS at detected concentrations (0.2–2.2 μg L−1). Predicted bioaccumulation of PFOS in fish was above advisory diet intake levels for humans. Results emphasize the need for studies related to PFAS occurrence in watersheds located in LMIC. [Display omitted] •PFAS detected (μg L−1) in water from a lake located in a UNESCO heritage site•PFAS levels influenced by sewage discharge, a common practice in developing regions•Lack of toxicity data limited the analysis of potential risks of short chain PFAS.•PFOS exceed levels that may cause effects to sensitive aquatic species.•Estimated bioaccumulation in fish (mg kg−1) t