Sublethal Effects of Dermal Exposure to Poly‐ and Perfluoroalkyl Substances on Postmetamorphic Amphibians
Abstract
Studies of the toxicity of poly‐ and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on amphibians, especially after metamorphosis, are limited. We examined effects of dermal PFAS exposure (30 d) on survival and growth of juvenile American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), eastern tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), and northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens). Chemicals included perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) at 0, 80, 800, or 8000 ppb on a moss dry weight basis. Exposure to PFAS influenced final snout–vent length (SVL) and scaled mass index (SMI), a measure of relative body condition. Observed effects depended on species and chemical, but not concentration. Anurans exposed to PFOS, PFHxS (frogs only), and 6:2 FTS demonstrated reduced SVL versus controls, whereas salamanders exposed to 6:2 FTS showed increased SVL. Frogs exposed to PFHxS and 6:2 FTS and toads exposed to PFOS had increased SMI compared to controls; salamanders did not demonstrate effects. Concentrations of 6:2 FTS in substrate decreased substantially by 30 d, likely driven by microbial action. Perfluorooctane sulfonate had notable biota–sediment accumulation factors, but was still Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:717–726. © 2020 SETAC
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 26, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1002/etc.4711
Entities
People
- Chloé De Perre
- Jason T Hoverman
- Linda S Lee
- Maria S Sepúlveda
- Michael Iacchetta
- R. Wesley Flynn
- Sarah A. Abercrombie
Organizations
- Purdue University
- United States Department of Defense