A1 Journal article (refereed)
Comparing the Ecotoxicological Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) on Freshwater Microbial Community (2022)

Laine, M. B., Vesamäki, J. S., Puupponen, V.-M., Tiirola, M., & Taipale, S. J. (2022). Comparing the Ecotoxicological Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) on Freshwater Microbial Community. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, Article 888171. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.888171

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Laine, Miikka B.; Vesamäki, Jussi S.; Puupponen, Veli-Mikko; Tiirola, Marja; Taipale, Sami J.

Journal or series: Frontiers in Environmental Science

eISSN: 2296-665X

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 17/05/2022

Volume: 10

Article number: 888171

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.888171

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82578

Abstract

The ubiquitous presence of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) around the globe has attracted increasing attention, due to their persistency, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Nevertheless, the ecotoxicological effects of the compounds on aquatic microorganisms has remained understudied. Hence, the present study focused on determining, and comparing, the effects of regulated long-chain PFCA, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and nonregulated short-chain PFCA, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), on the diversity, structure, microbial growth, and activity of a freshwater microbial community. In the experiment, lake water was incubated for a period of four weeks at three different concentrations of the studied PFCAs: 100 ng/L, 100 μg/L, and 10 mg/L. The results suggested that both compounds at high concentration (10 mg/L) altered the structure of the microbial community, but the diversity was not affected. Both compounds also decreased the microbial biovolume at higher concentrations and the increasing dose added to the significance of the impact, whereas inhibition of net microbial respiration could not be demonstrated. PFOA showed more potent toxicity towards the microbial community as it caused more significant structural changes to the community and significantly inhibited microbial growth even at the low 100 ng/L concentration. This study helps to better understand the ecotoxicity of PFCAs and to assess the environmental risks associated with their use. Additionally, these results can help policy makers to better assess the environmental risks posed by short-chain PFCAs on aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords: ecotoxicology; aquatic ecosystems; PFC compounds; carboxylic acids; microbes; microbiome

Free keywords: PFCAs; toxicity; micorbial community; rRNA gene sequencing; NGS

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1