Titre du document / Document title

Isolating isomers of perfluorocarboxylates in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from two geographical locations

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

DE SILVA Amila O. ⁽¹⁾ ; MABURY Scott A. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, CANADA

Résumé / Abstract

The source of involatile, anthropogenic perfluorocarboxylate anions (PFCAs) in biota from remote regions is of heightened interest due to the persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation of these materials. Large-scale production of fluorinated compounds is carried out primarily by one of two methods: electrochemical fluorination (ECF) and telomerization. Products of the two processes may be distinguished based on constitutional isomer pattern as ECF products are characteristically comprised of a variety of constitutional isomers. The objective of this research was to develop a method for identifying the constitutional isomer profile of PFCAs in environmental samples and to apply the method to polar bear livers from two different locations. Resolution of constitutional isomers of derivatized PFCAs (8-13 carbons) was accomplished via GC-MS. Seven isomers of an authentic ECF perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) standard were separated. The linear isomer comprised 78% of this standard. Isomer profiles of PFCAs in liver samples of 15 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Canadian Arctic and eastern Greenland were determined by GC-MS. The PFOA isomer pattern in Greenland polar bear samples showed a variety of branched isomers while only the linear PFOA isomer was determined in Canadian samples. Samples of both locations had primarily (>99%) linear isomers of perfluorononanoate and perfluorotridecanoate. Branched isomers of perfluorodecanoate, perfluoroundecanoate, and perfluorododecanoate were determined in the polar bear samples. Unlike the PFOA isomer signature, only a single branched isomer peak on the chromatograms was observed for these longer chain PFCAs. The presence of branched isomers suggests some contribution from ECF sources. However, in comparison to the amount of branched isomers in the ECF PFOA standard, such minor percentages of branched PFCAs may suggest additional input from an exclusively linear isomer source.

Revue / Journal Title

Environmental science & technology   ISSN 0013-936X   CODEN ESTHAG 

Source / Source

2004, vol. 38, n^o24, pp. 6538-6545 [8 page(s) (article)] (56 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, ETATS-UNIS  (1967) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Vertebrata ; Mammalia ; Carnivora ; Fissipedia ; Marine environment ; America ; North America ; Ursus maritimus ; Fluorine Organic compounds ; Greenland ; Canada ; Arctic Region ; Geographic distribution ; Tissue ; Biological accumulation ; Organic perhalocompound ; Carboxylate ; Pollutant ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Ursidae ; Vertebrata ; Mammalia ; Carnivora ; Fissipedia ; Milieu marin ; Amérique ; Amérique du Nord ; Ursus maritimus ; Fluor Composé organique ; Groenland ; Canada ; Arctique ; Répartition géographique ; Tissu ; Accumulation biologique ; Composé organique perhalogéné ; Carboxylate ; Polluant ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Vertebrata ; Mammalia ; Carnivora ; Fissipedia ; Medio marino ; America ; America del norte ; Ursus maritimus ; Fluor Compuesto orgánico ; Groenlandia ; Canadá ; Ártico ; Distribución geográfica ; Tejido ; Acumulación biológica ; Compuesto orgánico perhalogenado ; Carboxilato ; Contaminante ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 13615, 35400012134160.0140