BIOACCUMULATION AND TRANSPORT OF POLYFLUOROALKYL-SUBSTANCES IN ESTUARINE COPEPODS (ACARTIA TONSA, EUTERPINA ACUTIFRONS) OFF THE CAPE FEAR REGION, NC FRESHWATER-SALTWATER FRONTIERS: THE IMPACTS OF POLYFLUOROALKYL-SUBSTANCES ON ESTUARINE PLANKTONIC ECOSYSTEM

As rivers discharge into the ocean, they can be vectors for the transport of contaminants accumulated from large basins, especially those with intense human activity. Such contaminants include Polyfluoroalkyl-Substances (PFAS), whose strong and stable carbon-fluorine bonds, can have deleterious lasting effects on natural ecosystems. The Cape Fear River, NC is a natural system impacted by these toxic chemicals. Although accumulation of these substances has been studied in aquatic systems, research is limited in biota. To understand the drivers of transport and accumulation of these chemicals locally, we are investigating the presence and potential bioaccumulation of PFAS in copepod species that occupy different water column habitats. We hypothesize higher concentrations in benthic species compared to pelagic ones due to differential exposure. Similarly, river-transported species are expected to have higher concentrations than oceanic ones, reflecting sources. Preliminary data identified PFAS compounds PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFBS, PFOS and HFPO-DA in copepods within the river-influenced Intracoastal Waterway off the UNCW Center for Marine Sciences. Concentrations were highest in PFBA (93 ng/g), PFOA (93 ng/g), and HFPO-DA (known as GenX; 130ng/g). Understanding the spatial (river, estuary, coastal and offshore) variability of contaminants within a dynamic system will allow us to further understand transportation pathways in natural ecosystems especially where hydrographic regimes changes are expected to exert significant pressure on planktonic assemblages due to global change.

Primary Presenter: Gena Leib, University of North Carolina Wilmington (gml5089@uncw.edu)

Authors:

Christian Briseño-Avena, University of North Carolina Wilmington  (brisenoavenac@uncw.edu)

Ralph Mead, University of North Carolina Wilmington  (meadr@uncw.edu)