title: Footprints of Urban Micro-Pollution in Protected Areas: Investigating the Longitudinal Distribution of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Wildlife Preserves.
abstract: Current approaches to protect biodiversity by establishing protected areas usually gloss over water pollution as a threat. Our objective was to determine the longitudinal and seasonal distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in water column and sediments from a wastewater dominated stream that enters preservation areas. Water samples were collected along the longitudinal section (six sites, 1000 m away from each other) of the stream during the dry and wet seasons. Sediments were collected from three sites along the stream from three depths. Water and sediments were analyzed for PFAAs using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Eleven PFAAs with 5 to 14 carbon atoms were detected in the water column at all sampling points, with a minor reduction at the last point suggesting a dilution effect. The most detected PFAAs was PFOS, followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). Seasonal differences in PFAAs concentrations suggested contribution of stormwater runoff during the wet season. All analyzed PFAAs in sediments were under the limit of quantification, likely due to the high proportion of sand and low organic matter. However, high concentrations of PFAAs were detected in the water column inside the protected areas, which includes PFOS in concentrations considered not safe for avian wildlife. Water samples appear to be more relevant than sediments to determine PFAAs micro-pollution in water bodies with sandy sediments. Inclusion of a management plans on micro-pollution research, monitoring, and mitigation is recommended for protected areas.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Ecology Program, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.|Department of Physiological Sciences & Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ignacio A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Jorquera
authors.affiliation: Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry, Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silva-Sanchez
authors.affiliation: United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strynar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences & Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Denslow
authors.affiliation: Soil & Water Quality Laboratory, Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Wimauma, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Gurpal S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Toor
mesh_terms: D002947:Cities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D005466:Fluorocarbons; D062065:Wastewater; D014867:Water