Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos Islands

Qaim Mehdi; Lauren E. Blackman; Gregory A. Lewbart; Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez; Daniela Alarcón-Ruales; Diego Páez-Rosas; Joe Aufmuth; John A. Bowden

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104438

Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos Islands

Qaim Mehdi
, Lauren E. Blackman
, Gregory A. Lewbart
, Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
, Daniela Alarcón-Ruales
, Diego Páez-Rosas
, Joe Aufmuth
, John A. Bowden^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina State University
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
University of the Sunshine Coast
Fundación Conservando Galápagos
Direccion Parque Nacional Galapagos
University of Florida

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in remote areas due to their persistence and potential long-range transport capabilities. We conducted a survey to explore the distribution of PFAS in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos archipelago. Overall, 8 out of 21 PFAS were detected in 24 surface water samples, with PFOA and PFNA having the highest detection rates (79 % of samples). Plasma samples were obtained from marine iguanas (n = 24), black-striped salemas (n = 6), and Galápagos sea lions (n = 14). Marine iguanas and black-striped salemas had only PFNA and PFTrDA quantified, respectively, whereas Galápagos sea lions exhibited a myriad of long-chain PFAS, with L-PFOS and PFCAs (C9 - C13) showing 100 % detection rates. Our results confirmed the presence of PFAS in the Galápagos archipelago, emphasizing that further research is needed to better understand the impact of these contaminants in suspected pristine and remote ecosystems.

Original language	English
Article number	104438
Journal	Regional Studies in Marine Science
Volume	90
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104438
State	Published - 15 Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 Life Below Water

Keywords

Emerging contaminants
Galápagos archipelago
Marine ecotoxicology
Plasma
Remote locations
Surface water

Access to Document

10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104438

Cite this

Mehdi, Q., Blackman, L. E., Lewbart, G. A., Muñoz-Pérez, J. P., Alarcón-Ruales, D., Páez-Rosas, D., Aufmuth, J., & Bowden, J. A. (2025). Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos Islands. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 90, Article 104438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104438

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title = "Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Gal{\'a}pagos Islands",

abstract = "PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in remote areas due to their persistence and potential long-range transport capabilities. We conducted a survey to explore the distribution of PFAS in surface water and wildlife from the Gal{\'a}pagos archipelago. Overall, 8 out of 21 PFAS were detected in 24 surface water samples, with PFOA and PFNA having the highest detection rates (79 \% of samples). Plasma samples were obtained from marine iguanas (n = 24), black-striped salemas (n = 6), and Gal{\'a}pagos sea lions (n = 14). Marine iguanas and black-striped salemas had only PFNA and PFTrDA quantified, respectively, whereas Gal{\'a}pagos sea lions exhibited a myriad of long-chain PFAS, with L-PFOS and PFCAs (C9 - C13) showing 100 \% detection rates. Our results confirmed the presence of PFAS in the Gal{\'a}pagos archipelago, emphasizing that further research is needed to better understand the impact of these contaminants in suspected pristine and remote ecosystems.",

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AU - Mehdi, Qaim

AU - Blackman, Lauren E.

AU - Lewbart, Gregory A.

AU - Muñoz-Pérez, Juan Pablo

AU - Alarcón-Ruales, Daniela

AU - Páez-Rosas, Diego

AU - Aufmuth, Joe

AU - Bowden, John A.

PY - 2025/12/15

Y1 - 2025/12/15

N2 - PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in remote areas due to their persistence and potential long-range transport capabilities. We conducted a survey to explore the distribution of PFAS in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos archipelago. Overall, 8 out of 21 PFAS were detected in 24 surface water samples, with PFOA and PFNA having the highest detection rates (79 % of samples). Plasma samples were obtained from marine iguanas (n = 24), black-striped salemas (n = 6), and Galápagos sea lions (n = 14). Marine iguanas and black-striped salemas had only PFNA and PFTrDA quantified, respectively, whereas Galápagos sea lions exhibited a myriad of long-chain PFAS, with L-PFOS and PFCAs (C9 - C13) showing 100 % detection rates. Our results confirmed the presence of PFAS in the Galápagos archipelago, emphasizing that further research is needed to better understand the impact of these contaminants in suspected pristine and remote ecosystems.

AB - PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in remote areas due to their persistence and potential long-range transport capabilities. We conducted a survey to explore the distribution of PFAS in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos archipelago. Overall, 8 out of 21 PFAS were detected in 24 surface water samples, with PFOA and PFNA having the highest detection rates (79 % of samples). Plasma samples were obtained from marine iguanas (n = 24), black-striped salemas (n = 6), and Galápagos sea lions (n = 14). Marine iguanas and black-striped salemas had only PFNA and PFTrDA quantified, respectively, whereas Galápagos sea lions exhibited a myriad of long-chain PFAS, with L-PFOS and PFCAs (C9 - C13) showing 100 % detection rates. Our results confirmed the presence of PFAS in the Galápagos archipelago, emphasizing that further research is needed to better understand the impact of these contaminants in suspected pristine and remote ecosystems.

KW - Emerging contaminants

KW - Galápagos archipelago

KW - Marine ecotoxicology

KW - Plasma

KW - Remote locations

KW - Surface water

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DO - 10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104438

M3 - Artículo

AN - SCOPUS:105014526201

SN - 2352-4855

VL - 90

JO - Regional Studies in Marine Science

JF - Regional Studies in Marine Science

M1 - 104438

ER -

Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos Islands

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Recent Findings from University of Florida Provides New Insights into Marine Science [Exploring the Distribution of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) In Surface Water and Wildlife From the Galapagos Islands]

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Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos Islands

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Press/Media

Recent Findings from University of Florida Provides New Insights into Marine Science [Exploring the Distribution of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) In Surface Water and Wildlife From the Galapagos Islands]

Cite this