Effects of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the freshwater gastropod (Planorbella pilsbryi) in the laboratory and in situ integrating a multi-omic approach

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals that are globally used in consumer and industrial applications. Specifically, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been under scrutiny due to its environmental persistence, toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and long-range transport. PFOS can enter waterways and have adverse impacts on aquatic life through a broad range of toxic effects. In order to gain insight on how PFAS affects freshwater invertebrates, we conducted an in situ and laboratory exposure. For 28-days, we caged freshwater snails in a documented PFAS contaminated site and exposed snails in the laboratory at three different PFOS concentrations (0.1 -1000 μg/L). To understand PFAS affects, we examined survival, growth, and reproduction. Untargeted proteomics and metabolomics analyses were conducted on the laboratory data to examine the differences in protein and metabolite profiles. The laboratory multi-omic analyses indicated that PFOS significantly altered the abundance of various proteins and metabolites.