Toxic Metals and PFAS in Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) Liver and Muscle

Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) liver and muscle samples from August (2022) and October (2023) were analysed for toxic metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and PFAS (PFUnDA, PFTriDA, PFTDA, PFHxDA, PFPeS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNS, PFDS, PFECHS, FOSAA, MeFOSAA, EtFOSAA, and NaDONA) concentrations to determine seasonal fluctuations in contaminant accumulation. We found a significant increase in both toxic metals and PFAS from August to October, which is when the Svalbard reindeer peak in weight. This may be explained by an extended foraging period (in October compared to August) following the annual winter fasting. The increased concentrations in October may also be explained by a dietary shift in vegetation with plant senescence at the end of summer. Overall, the PFAS profile indicated a predominant exposure to long-range transported PFAS (e.g., PFCAs). However, high concentrations of PFSAs indicate local pollution contributions too (e.g., firefighting foam).

Hg was determined using DMA-80, PFAS were determined using an Xevo TQ-XS Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer coupled with an ACQUITY UPLC system, and Cd and Pb were determined using an 8800 Triple Quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system. A total of 41 PFAS were included in the analysis: PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTriDA, PFTDA, PFHxDA, PFOcDA PFBS, PFPeS, PFHxS, PFHpS, PFOS, PFNS, PFDS, PFDoDS, PFECHS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, and 10:2 FTS, FOSAA, MeFOSAA, EtFOSAA, PFOSA, MeFOSA, EtFOSA, MeFOSE, EtFOSE, GenX, NaDONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, P37DMOA, SaMPAP and diSAMPAP. Only contaminants detected above the LOD in at least 25 % of the samples are reported.

All samples were freeze-dried and homogenised prior to analysis. The water content of the samples was 70.1% in the liver and 72.0% in the muscle. The water content was used to calculate the wet weight concentrations of the samples. The concentrations are provided in both dry weight and wet weight.

The provided data are as follows: age (years), weight (kg), contaminants (Hg, Se, Cd, Pb, PFUnDA, PFTriDA, PFTDA, PFHxDA, PFPeS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNS, PFDS, PFECHS, FOSAA, MeFOSAA, EtFOSAA, and NaDONA) in ng/g. Values missing as a result of analytical errors are named "na", while values below the LOD were left blank.