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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plasma of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)
Published
Author(s)
Kady Palmer, Jacqueline T. Bangma, Jessica L. Reiner, Robert Bonde, Jeffery Korte, Ashley Russell, John Bowden
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous, synthetic anthropogenic chemicals known to infiltrate and persist in biological systems as a result of their stability and bioaccumulation potential. This study investigated 15 PFAS, including short-chain carboxylic and sulfonic acids, and their presence in a threatened herbivore, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). Seven of the 15 PFAS examined were detected in manatee plasma. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) (ranging from 0.13 to 166 ng/g ww) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (ranging from 0.038 to 3.52 ng/g ww) were detected in every manatee plasma sample examined (n = 69), with differing medians across sampling sites in Florida, Crystal River (n = 39), Brevard County (n = 18), Everglades National Park (n = 8), and four samples (n = 4) from Puerto Rico. With an herbivorous diet and long life-span, the manatee provides a new perspective to monitoring PFAS contamination.
Citation
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Issue
140
Pub Type
Journals
Keywords
PFAA, PFOS, West Indian manatee, health parameters, cholesterol, Florida, Puerto Rico
Palmer, K.
, Bangma, J.
, Reiner, J.
, Bonde, R.
, Korte, J.
, Russell, A.
and Bowden, J.
(2019),
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plasma of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), Marine Pollution Bulletin
(Accessed October 10, 2025)