Research Progress in Area 2 方向 ( 二 ) 課題進展 121 Abstract Emergingchemicalsof concern (ECCs) encompass a wide range of man-made chemicals which are in use worldwide and which are indispensable for modern society. However, a huge array of these “new/novel” compounds have to date not been investigated nor their toxicities evaluated before they were introduced into themarket. Those ECCs, which are similar to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in their physical-chemical properties, could cause new environmental issues. Among ECCs, halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) are of great concern. It is necessary to develop robust analytical methods to identify and quantify new/unknown HFRs and PFASs in environmental matrices, especially in top predators. The proposed study will develop/ validate analytical procedures and apply nontarget screening techniques using high-resolution mass spectrometry for a much wider range of new/unknown HFRs and PFASs, so as to fill an important and well-recognized knowledge gap in our understanding of the pollution status of these compounds in important marine ecosystem. Research Activities and Progress • Identified three emerging PFASs in cetacean liver, deserving toxicokinetic studies; • Investigated brain, eyes, intestines, liver, muscle, and skin of model fish species; • Developed HRMS method for HFRs based on the relative abundances of Br isotopes; • Performed Suspect screening with a valid suspect list for HFRs; • Conducted target analysis of selected legacy HFRs in the marine cetacean blubber. Key Findings • PFECHS and 6:2 and 8:2 Cl-PFESAs were identified as significant emerging PFASs (Fig. 1); • PFECHS was more readily eliminated in marine medaka than the two Cl-PFESAs; • Cl- to hydrogen-substituted PFESAs had low metabolism capacities in the studied species; • The toxicokinetics of PFECHS were reported for the first time; • Much higher levels of α-HBCD and three PBDEs were found in dolphin than porpoise (Fig. 2); • The selected five legacy HFRs found in blubber may have similar pollution sources. Research Output Publication 1 Trained personnel 2 Non-target Screening and Ecological Risk Assessment of Emerging Chemicals of Concern in Marine Cetaceans from the South China Sea Prof. Paul Kwan-sing Lam Hong Kong Metropolitan University Fig 1. (a) Structures, (b) mass defects, and (c) RTs of PFASs with level 3 or above. (Wang et al.)
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