PFAS in Australian raptor species: terrestrial biomonitors of environmental contamination in changing ecosystems

Phoebe Lewis; Christopher P. Johnstone; Timothy Chaston; Jordan O. Hampton; Judy Clarke; John Leeder; Yan Wang; Matthew Etterson; Jennifer Martin; Minna Saaristo

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2026.129082

Back

PFAS in Australian raptor species: terrestrial biomonitors of environmental contamination in changing ecosystems

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

PFAS in Australian raptor species: terrestrial biomonitors of environmental contamination in changing ecosystems

Phoebe Lewis, Christopher P. Johnstone, Timothy Chaston, Jordan O. Hampton, Judy Clarke, John Leeder, Yan Wang, Matthew Etterson, Jennifer Martin and Minna Saaristo

Environmental pollution (1987), Vol.410, 129082

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2026.129082

PMID: 42686010

Files and links (1)

pdf

Published4.50 MBDownload View

Open Access CC BY V4.0

Abstract

basal metabolic rate (BMR)

bioaccumulation

food chain

persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

wedge-tailed eagles

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a growing concern for wildlife health, yet their prevalence and ecological impacts in Australian fauna remains largely unknown. Here, we assess PFAS concentrations in five Australian raptor species (wedge-tailed eagles Aquila audax n=28; white-bellied sea eagles Icthyophaga leucogaster n=7; powerful owls Ninox strenua n=2; brown falcons Falco berigora n=4 and brown goshawks Tachyspiza fasciata n=3) utilizing liver samples from existing museum and research collections, opportunistically collected from various locations around southeast Australia between 2015 and 2023. We report, to our knowledge, the first global analysis of Aquila sp. PFAS liver concentrations. Thirteen PFAS were detected in 40 of 44 individual birds, with ∑13PFAS ranging from below detection to 115.1 ng/g wet weight (ww). PFOS was the most prevalent (88.6% of all samples) followed by PFTeDA, PFDA, PFDoA and PFHxS. Concentrations overlapped with relevant published ranges, indicating comparable bioaccumulation risks despite Australia’s lower population density and limited industrial sources. A significant positive relationship was found between PFAS concentrations and estimated mass-specific basal metabolic rate (BMR), with brown goshawks and brown falcons showing the highest burdens. Land-use analysis revealed associations with natural environments, demonstrating that PFAS contamination may extend into ecosystems managed for biodiversity protection. These findings show that Australian raptors are exposed to both legacy and replacement PFAS, and that physiology, ecology and landscape modify contaminant patterns. Biomonitoring of PFAS in raptors reveals diffuse and persistent risks to ecosystems, even in conservation areas. [Display omitted]

Details

Title: PFAS in Australian raptor species: terrestrial biomonitors of environmental contamination in changing ecosystems
Authors/Creators: Phoebe Lewis - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Christopher P. Johnstone - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Timothy Chaston - University of Canberra
Jordan O. Hampton - Murdoch University
Judy Clarke - Museum of Old and New Art
John Leeder - Leeder Analytical, Fairfield, Victoria, Australia
Yan Wang - Leeder Analytical, Fairfield, Victoria, Australia
Matthew Etterson - University of Minnesota, Duluth
Jennifer Martin - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Minna Saaristo - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Publication Details: Environmental pollution (1987), Vol.410, 129082
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Number of pages: 11
Identifiers: 991005916416107891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; School of Veterinary Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: SDGs in the Output

Metrics

1 Record Views