Assessing Potential Perfluoroalkyl Substances Trophic Transfer to Crickets (Acheta domesticus)

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Ecotoxicology
• Environmental Chemistry

Background:

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants.
• Research on PFAS bioaccumulation in soil invertebrates via contaminated media is limited.
• Understanding PFAS transfer to invertebrates is crucial for assessing ecological risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate PFAS bioaccumulation in crickets through two distinct ingestion pathways: consuming contaminated alfalfa and drinking contaminated water.
• To determine the trophic transfer of PFAS from plants to invertebrates.
• To compare PFAS bioaccumulation levels based on the route of exposure.

Main Methods:

• Crickets were exposed to seven unique PFAS via contaminated alfalfa (grown in PFAS-spiked water) or directly through PFAS-spiked drinking water.
• PFAS concentrations in alfalfa and drinking water were maintained at approximately 1 ppm.
• PFAS tissue concentrations in crickets were analyzed after exposure.

Main Results:

• Crickets consuming PFAS-contaminated alfalfa and those drinking PFAS-spiked water exhibited comparable tissue concentrations of PFAS.
• This suggests that the initial concentration of PFAS in the source medium (water) significantly influences bioaccumulation in invertebrates.
• The study demonstrated direct trophic transfer of PFAS from vegetation to invertebrates.

Conclusions:

• PFAS bioaccumulation in crickets is similar regardless of whether exposure occurs through contaminated food or water.
• The concentration of PFAS in the environmental source (e.g., water) is a critical factor in invertebrate bioaccumulation.
• This research provides novel insights into PFAS trophic transfer and bioaccumulation pathways in soil invertebrates.