Probing the Differential Tissue Distribution and Bioaccumulation Behavior of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances of Varying Chain-Lengths, Isomeric Structures and Functional Groups in Crucian Carp
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Understanding the bioaccumulation mechanisms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) across different chain-lengths, isomers and functional groups represents a monumental scientific challenge with implications for chemical regulation. Here, we investigate how the differential tissue distribution and bioaccumulation behavior of 25 PFASs in crucian carp from two field sites impacted by point sources can provide information about the processes governing uptake, distribution and elimination of PFASs. Median tissue/blood ratios (TBRs) were consistently <1 for all PFASs and tissues except bile which displayed a distinct distribution pattern and enrichment of several perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. Transformation of concentration data into relative body burdens (RBBs) demonstrated that blood, gonads, and muscle together accounted for >90% of the amount of PFASs in the organism. Principal component analyses of TBRs and RBBs showed that the functional group was a relatively more important predictor of internal distribution than chain-length for PFASs. Whole body bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for short-chain PFASs deviated from the positive relationship with hydrophobicity observed for longer-chain homologues. Overall, our results suggest that TBR, RBB, and BAF patterns were most consistent with protein binding mechanisms although partitioning to phospholipids may contribute to the accumulation of long-chain PFASs in specific tissues.
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Numerous studies have investigated original PFAS, PFAS isomers, and different classes such as PFECAs, PFESAs, PFECHS, PFPAs, PFPiAs, monoPAPs and diPAPs in biological samples.
“Numerous studies have investigated not only original PFAS but also PFAS isomers [77] and different classes of PFAS such as PFECAs and PFESAs [77e80], perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulphonate (PFECHS) [81,82], PFPAs [82,83], PFPiAs [82], polyfluoroalkyl phosphate monoesters (monoPAPs) and diPAPs [83,84].”
From Worldwide trends in tracing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment (2019) · cites this paper as [77]
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- Authors
- Shi, Y., Vestergren, R., Nost, T. H., Zhou, Z., & Cai, Y.
- Affiliations
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Stockholm University (SE)
- UiT − The Arctic University of Norway , , 6050 Langnes , ,
- Jianghan University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Cai, Yaqi
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2018-04-03
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 4592-4600
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W2795888025
- Cited by
- 216
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 33 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 5
- FWCI
- 9.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (21537004, 21677154, 21722705, 21777182)
- Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas (2014-514)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB14010201)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Keywords
- per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS bioaccumulation, crucian carp, tissue distribution, chain length, isomers, functional groups, perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, bioaccumulation factor, protein binding, bile, point source pollution
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Carps, Fluorocarbons, Sulfonic Acids, Tissue Distribution, Water Pollutants, Chemical
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