Toxicity of Perfluoralkyl Substances (PFAAs) to terrestrial invertebrates and songbirds. Effects at different levels of biological organization including behaviour and reproduction.

A group of environmental chemicals that has received increasing attention the last two decades are the Perfluoralkyl Substances or PFAAs. Since the 1950s, PFAAs have been used in high quantities because of their excellent surfactant behaviour in applications such as carpet coatings and food packaging. Their broad application and bioaccumulation potential has led to their worldwidedetection in biota. Few studies, however, have investigated the effects of PFAAs on terrestrial wild organisms at environmentally realistic concentrations. The general objective of this proposal is to investigate the accumulation and effects of the most prevalent PFAAs in terrestrial organisms, including soil invertebrates and songbirds. Sampling sites will be established along a pollutiongradient in the neighbourhood of a fluorochemical plant. Levels of PFAAs will be measured in soil, rain water, soil invertebrates and in songbirds. Besides accumulation, effects will also be assessed on the biota in an integrated way. We will look at physiological, reproductive and behavioural responses. This will be combined with laboratory experiments enabling us to disentangle causal linksfrom confounding effects between PFAAs exposure and effects. In the laboratory invertebrates and songbirds will be exposed to a selection of PFAAs based on the results of the field study. The same endpoints as in the field will be assessed. This study will help policy makers to set environmental quality standards (EQS).

Keywords:MICROCONTAMINANTS, ECOTOXICOLOGY, SONGBIRDS

Disciplines:Animal biology, Ecology, General biology, Environmental science and management, Other environmental sciences, Veterinary medicine