Poster Presentation AUS-oMicS 2025

Functional omics insights into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure across marine turtle taxa (122950)

Sarah L Green 1 , Aleicia Holland 2 , Kimberly Finlayson 3 , Jason van de Merwe 3 , David Beale 1
  1. CSIRO, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
  2. Ecological, Plant and Animal Sciences , La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga, VIC, Australia
  3. Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent anthropogenic chemicals that contaminate marine ecosystems and pose risks to wildlife. PFAS contamination is widespread and threatens sea turtles through both waterborne and dietary exposure. The degree of PFAS exposure and risk of bioaccumulation differs between sea turtle species, due to differences in their dietary niches. PFAS bioaccumulation is concerning as the effects of low-level compounds and complex mixtures on wildlife remains understudied. This study quantified 72 PFAS compounds and used targeted and untargeted omics techniques to investigate the biochemical impact in three marine sea turtle species; green turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), from Capricorn Bunker, Australia. Blood samples of all three species contained low-levels of multiple PFAS compounds, with elevated components of perfluorobenzylphosphonic acid (PFBPA), methyl perfluorohexane sulfonamidoacetic acid (MeFHxSA) and 8:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic Acid (8:2 FTCA). The most dominant constituent for all three species was 8:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic Acid (8:3 FTCA). Although the ∑PFAS burden was similar across species, their specific PFAS profile varied. Notably, the detectable presence of emerging and replacement PFAS compounds where toxicological data is limited, such as hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) identified in hawksbill turtles, raises environmental concerns. The biochemical signatures varied across species and the integration of the omics revealed distinct correlations between proteins, lipids and metabolites. Among the strongest metabolic signals were perturbations to purine metabolism and the regulation of uric acid. These findings demonstrate the importance of screening a broad panel of PFAS compounds, particularly as the elevated compounds identified in these species are not yet widely regulated, nor monitored. This work contributes a deeper understanding of PFAS bioaccumulation and its biological impact in sea turtles and highlights how omics-based ecosurveillance tools can support risk assessment and the biomonitoring of wildlife.