Cited by 266Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactEnvironmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Observation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Greenland marine mammals

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Gebbink, Wouter A., Bossi, Rossana, Rigét, Frank F., Rosing-Asvid, Aqqalu, Sonne, Christian, Dietz, Rune·2016·Chemosphere

Abstract

The present pilot study examined emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), i.e., a suite of short chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), PFAA precursors and replacement chemicals, and legacy PFASs (long chain length PFAAs) in livers from ringed seals, polar bears and, for the first time, killer whales from East Greenland collected in 2012-2013. Among the emerging PFASs, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and F-53B (a chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid) were detected in Arctic wildlife, albeit at concentrations approximately four orders of magnitude lower compared to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFOS was positively correlated with F-53B, but not PFBS in all three species. A total of 17 PFASs were detected in killer whales, including in a mother-fetus pair, demonstrating maternal transfer. ∑PFAS concentrations in killer whales (269 ± 90 ng/g) were comparable to concentrations found in ringed seals (138 ± 7 ng/g), however, an order of magnitude lower compared to concentrations found in polar bear livers (2336 ± 263 ng/g). Patterns of long chain PFAAs in killer whales differed from the pattern in ringed seals and polar bears. Of the monitored PFAA precursors, only perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA) was detected in all three species, and FOSA/PFOS ratios and isomer patterns indicated that killer whales have a potential lower metabolic capacity to degrade FOSA compared to polar bears and ringed seals.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.10.116

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  • Gebbink et al. (2016) found concentrations of PFBS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA were approximately four orders of magnitude lower than those of PFOS, and PFOS was positively correlated with 6:2 Cl-PFESA but not PFBS.

    “found the concentrations of PFBS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA were approximately four orders of magnitude lower than those of PFOS, and PFOS was positively correlated with 6:2 Cl-PFESA but not PFBS”

    From Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the marine environment: An overview and prospects (2025) · cites this paper as Gebbink et al., 2016

    The Abstract reports that PFBS and F-53B were approximately four orders of magnitude lower than PFOS, and that PFOS correlated positively with F-53B but not PFBS in all three species. Our copy calls the compound F-53B and does not establish that the reported finding specifically concerns 6:2 Cl-PFESA. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • Gebbink et al. (2016) found mean ΣPFAS concentration in killer whales (269 ng/g dw) was comparable to that in ringed seals (138 ng/g dw) but was an order of magnitude lower than that in polar bear livers (2336 ng/g dw).

    “the mean ΣPFAS concentration in killer whales (269 ng/ g dw) was comparable to that in ringed seals (138 ng/g dw) but was an order of magnitude lower than that in polar bear livers (2336 ng/g dw)”

    From Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the marine environment: An overview and prospects (2025) · cites this paper as Gebbink et al., 2016

    The Abstract reports the three ΣPFAS values—269 ng/g in killer whales, 138 ng/g in ringed seals, and 2336 ng/g in polar bear livers—and makes the same comparisons. It gives the unit as ng/g, however, and does not specify the dry-weight basis (‘dw’) stated in the claim. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • With improved analytical techniques, some unknown compounds have been identified to be overlooked legacy or novel replacement PFASs.

    “With improved analytical techniques, some unknown compounds have been identified to be overlooked legacy or novel replacement PFASs.36−39”

    From A Never-Ending Story of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)? (2017) · cites this paper as [37]

    The available passages labeled Abstract contain bibliographic metadata and keywords, including “Replacement chemicals,” but no findings from the paper. Searches for improved analytical techniques, previously unknown or overlooked PFASs, and identification of replacements returned no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.70)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Gebbink, W. A., Bossi, R., Rigét, F. F., Rosing-Asvid, A., Sonne, C., & Dietz, R.
Affiliations
  • Stockholm University (SE)
  • Aarhus University (DK)
Corresponding author
Gebbink, Wouter A.
Venue
Chemosphere
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-02
Volume
144
Pages
2384-2391
ISSN
0045-6535 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2173828297
Cited by
266
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 3
FWCI
10.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Chemosphere (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Swedish Research Council Formas (219-2012-643)
  • Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic (DANCEA (MST-112-00171, MST-112-00199)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, emerging PFASs, PFBS, F-53B, PFOS, Orcinus orca, ringed seal, polar bear, Arctic marine mammals, liver tissue, maternal transfer, East Greenland
MeSH terms
Animals, Ursidae, Environmental Monitoring, Female, Fetus, Fluorocarbons, Greenland, Pilot Projects, Pregnancy, Sulfonamides, Alkanesulfonic Acids, Seals, Earless, Whale, Killer

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