Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in archived Antarctic penguin feathers

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of growing concern for their potential adverse environmental and human health effects. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances demonstrate remarkable environmental stability and are globally dispersed. These compounds have been detected in a variety of biological samples, including bird feathers, which have proven to be a reliable indicator for the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Feathers, composed mainly of keratin, accumulate PFAS, which have a documented affinity for proteins. Our study aims to determine the extent of PFAS exposure in three penguin species native to the Antarctic Peninsula. Feathers of Pygoscelis adeliae (Adélie penguins), Pygoscelis papua (Gentoo penguins), and Aptenodytes forsteri (Emperor penguins) were collected in 2013. Samples were collected from the Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station, Kopaitic Island, and the Chilean General Bernardo O'Higgins. Samples were analyzed for 38 PFAS compounds. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations were compared by species, age, and sampling location. Emperor penguins, on average, had the highest concentrations of total PFAS in feathers (137 ng g-1 dry wt), followed by Gentoo penguins (111 ng g-1 dry wt), and Adélie penguins (78 ng g-1 dry wt). Notably, short-chain carboxylic acids (