PFAS accumulation in indigenous and translocated aquatic organisms from Belgium, with translation to human and ecological health risk

Abstract Background Despite specific restrictions on their production and use, per- polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) are still omnipresent in the environment, including aquatic ecosystems. Most biomonitoring studies have investigated PFAS concentrations indigenous organisms, whereas active has only been used sporadically. In present study, accumulated were measured fish, European perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) eel Anguilla anguilla ), translocated freshwater mussels Dreissena bugensis Corbicula fluminea) at 44 sampling locations within main water basins of Flanders, northern part Belgium. Finally, both human health risk ecological assessed based fish muscle. Results Among locations, ?PFAS ranged from 8.56–157 ng/g ww (median: 22.4 ww) mussels, 5.22–67.8 20.8 perch, 5.73–68.8 22.1 eel. Concentrations PFOA PFTeDA higher compared to for PFDA PFUnDA opposite was true. A comparison a wet weight basis between species showed significantly PFDoDA, PFTrDA, PFOS perch. profiles dominated by relative contribution short-chained PFAS, while PFOS. Furthermore, all mussel clearly occupied lower trophic level than species, stable isotope analysis. Conclusions Biomagnification PFDA, biodilution observed. Translocated proven suitable determine which since similar biota. mean did pose eel, although tolerable daily intake values close reported consumption rates Belgium exceeded them highly contaminated locations. Based PFOS, standard about half (44% 58% eel).