title: Spatial and temporal trends in perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard.
abstract: This study investigates concentrations of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASA) in plasma from ringed seals sampled in the period 1990-2010 (n = 71) in Svalbard, Norway. Perfluorooctane sulfonate was dominant among the perfluoroalkyl substances. PFCAs were dominated by perfluoroundecanoate followed by perfluorononanoate. C4C8 PFCAs and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) were detected in ≤42% of the samples. PFSA and PFCA concentrations were higher in seals sampled from Kongsfjorden, a fjord influenced by strong inflows of Atlantic Water compared to seals from fjords dominated by Arctic Water (e.g. Billefjorden). Sex, age and body condition of the seals did not influence PFAS concentrations. Due to the confounding effect of year and sampling area, temporal trends were assessed only in seals sampled from Kongsfjorden (5 years, n = 51). PFHxS and PFOS concentrations did not show significant linear trends during the whole study period, but a decrease was observed since 2004. Concentrations of all of the detected PFCAs (C9C13 PFCAs) increased until 2004 after which they have declined or stabilized.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: heli.routti@npolar.no.
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Routti
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Geir Wing
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Gabrielsen
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Dorte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herzke
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Kit M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lydersen
mesh_terms: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000097:blood*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000097:blood*; D013538:Svalbard; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Arctic; Arctic vs Atlantic water masses; Contaminant; Kongsfjorden; Oceanic transport