Qaim Mehdi and his team have a new article published on Science Direct. It is titled Exploring the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and wildlife from the Galápagos Islands.
PFAS Detected in the Galápagos: A First-of-Its-Kind Study
A new study offers the first report of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in surface waters and wildlife of the Galápagos archipelago, a region long considered one of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth.
They detected 8 out of 21 PFAS compounds in surface water samples, including short-chain PFAS like PFPeS and 4:2 FTS. Notably, PFOA and PFNA were the most frequently detected, appearing in 79% of samples.
Wildlife exposure varied by species:
- Marine iguanas showed quantifiable levels of PFNA only
- Black-striped salemas had only PFTrDA
- Galápagos sea lions exhibited the highest variety, with PFNA and L-PFOS found in 100% of individuals tested
These findings highlight the global reach of PFAS contamination and underscore the urgent need to study the long-term impacts of these persistent pollutants—even in remote and protected regions like the Galápagos.
