PFAS in biota. Experience from Norway. Halvard Kaasa

Transcription

1 PFAS in biota Experience from Norway Halvard Kaasa 1

2 Example: PFAS research at 18 airports in Norway This presentation: PFAS in biota Project client: AVINOR AS, owner of the Norwegian airports. Sweco Norge AS has been engaged to work with the biota part of the project. 09/03/2017 2

3 Firefighting foam containing PFAS Effect on biota. AVINOR AS has developed a project that do the mapping, the risk assessment and the remediation of these pollutants. Avinor AS has stopped the use of foam containing PFAS for several years ago. 09/03/2017 3

4 AVINOR environmental goals 1. PFAS pollution caused by Avinor shall be handled so as natural recipients and adjacent ecosystems shall have good water quality and good living conditions for affected species. 2. Dispersal of poly- and perfluorinated substances from firefighting training grounds at Avinor airports shall be reduced the coming years with reference to the PFAS baseline data from

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6 PFAS- Norway 18 airports Fresh water Marin waters Terrestrial environment

7 PFAS, background Little knowledge on physiological mechanisms in biota, but some harmful effects are known. Changes in vital functions as: fecundity, immune system, body growth, liver functions, frequency of cancer, fry mortality. High grade of bioaccumulation, connected to proteins. High toxic complexity depending on chemical composition. Low knowledge about effects on ecosystems. Fragmented knowledge about effect on single species. Path way to humans is trough food and drinking water (fish and shellfish). 09/03/2017 7

8 context context Analysis More than 1000 samples. Large in global context. 35 species (Mamals, fish, mussels, snails, worms, seaweeds, grass, trees) Matrix: Muscle tissue from fish Liver from fish Kidney from fish Liver from mouse Homogenised whole animals (fish, mussels, crustaceans, worms) Homogenised leaves from trees, seaweeds and grass 09/03/2017 8

9 14 PFAS compounds

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13 Goat willow (Salix caprea) European black alder (Alnus glutinosa) Birch (Betula)

14 RIVER

15 Results biota Categorization of biota results, Norwegian airports Avinor, Strict approach 14 PFAS coumpounds as if it was PFOS Norwegian airport Reference locality Extensive biota sampling and evaluation at Avinor airports in Norway Many sites relatively low risks/concentration in biota. Some sites more affected. Risk asssment: No limits on fish consumption Probably no individual or ecosystem effects 15

16 Leaves of birch and alder from the surroundings of the test area of fire foam Birch Alder

17 Stickleback flounder shrimp river river river Eartworms Earthworm Station 1 Station 2 Close to the fire exercise area

18 Kjevik airport 2013, PFAS in freshwater fish Background

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20 Kjevik airport Kristiansand Visualised results from PFAS analysis of biota

21 BIOTA Good indicators to show if a source of PFAS pollution is present Site selection and species selection are crucial for quality of analysis and project economy. Food for humans; matrix - muscle tissue from fish, total soft biomass of shellfish. Focus on ecosystem and bioaccumulation - animals from low level in the local nutrient chain and local predators. One individual sample is not enough. PFAS values in biota rapidly decrease with distance to the source. Important factors: biotope selection, spreading main roads, species mobility, life cycles, biologic half-life, extent of polluted area and distance to the polluted area. Limit of detection (analytical methods is crucial ) Needed knowledge: Biology, Ecology and Chemistry 21

22 Knowledge from this Avinor-project has build a unique possibility to improve efficiency of coming projects Project design and systematic efforts Increased probability to hit the target in first attempt Reduce expenses and level of errors Increase the strength in the risk assessment Increase the probability to meet the challenges by right remediation

23 We are ready to contribute to your success and to the sustainability of our environment Thank you for your attention! Phone: /03/