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BEYOND BIOACCUMULATION: A DEEP DIVE INTO PFAS TRANSFORMATIONS AND BIOACCUMULATION IN MAINE'S BLUE MUSSELS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants that can accumulate in filter-feeding organisms like blue mussels. Based on data collected during Bigelow's REU program, this study examines PFAS uptake, elimination, and biotransformation. This involved incubating blue mussels in high PFAS-concentration seawater for one week of uptake and one of depuration. Preliminary results demonstrate rapid PFAS accumulation with varying rates among compounds, suggesting differences in tissue saturation limits. Despite mussels accumulating PFOS to levels exceeding Maine CDC consumption guidelines, depuration reduced concentrations to below-recommended levels within a week. Biotransformation was minimal for most PFAS, but EtFOSA was converted to FOSA, a more prevalent compound in environmental samples. These findings challenge using FOSA as a reliable biomarker for PFAS contamination in Maine's mussels. Further investigation aims to understand these complex PFAS dynamics in mussels, which is crucial for assessing human health risks and informing regulatory decisions by employing statistical analysis and comparing environmental trends.