Effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter on PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment

Lu Zhang; Yarui Liu; Qi Wang; Yuefei Ruan; Ting Cai; Fasong Li; Hao Chen

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2026.127705

Effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter on PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment

Lu Zhang (Co-first Author)
, Yarui Liu (Co-first Author)
, Qi Wang
, Yuefei Ruan
, Ting Cai
, Fasong Li^*
, Hao Chen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Understanding the impact of bioturbation on the bioaccumulation of pollutants is crucial for assessing their ecological risks. However, the effects of bioturbation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other ionic pollutants remain unclear. This work investigated the effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the bioavailability of seven PFAS via self-developed aquatic microcosms containing water, sediment, carp, and loach. Results revealed a significant positive log-log correlation between the membrane−water distribution coefficient (D_mw) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFAS in carp, highlighting the role of D_mw in PFAS bioaccumulation. Conversely, an inverted U-shaped curve was observed between D_mw and biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of PFAS in loach, peaking at an estimated log D_mw of 5.46. Loach bioturbation slightly increases the BCF of longer-chain PFAS in carp by enhancing the uptake rate. The introduction of DOM reduces the PFAS uptake rate in carp, resulting in a decrease in BCF. Similarly, DOM negatively affects PFAS bioaccumulation in loach, leading to a reduction in BSAF. This study highlights the importance of considering bioturbation and DOM when investigating PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.

Original language	English
Article number	127705
Number of pages	10
Journal	Environmental Pollution
Volume	393
Online published	19 Jan 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2026.127705
Publication status	Published - 15 Mar 2026

Funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 42577262 ; 22006074 ; 42161134001 ), National Key Research and Development Program of China ( 2023YFC3706800 ), and supported by 111 Program, Ministry of Education, China ( B17025 ). This work was supported by a fellowship award from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. JRFS2526-1S03 ). This work was also supported by the Scientific Instrument and Technology R&D Project of Nankai University ( 24NKSYJS01 ).

Research Keywords

Bioaccumulation
Dmw
DOM
Long-chain PFCA
PFOA
PFOS
Sediment

RGC Funding Information

RGC-funded

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10.1016/j.envpol.2026.127705

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Cite this

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title = "Effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter on PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment",

abstract = "Understanding the impact of bioturbation on the bioaccumulation of pollutants is crucial for assessing their ecological risks. However, the effects of bioturbation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other ionic pollutants remain unclear. This work investigated the effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the bioavailability of seven PFAS via self-developed aquatic microcosms containing water, sediment, carp, and loach. Results revealed a significant positive log-log correlation between the membrane−water distribution coefficient (Dmw) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFAS in carp, highlighting the role of Dmw in PFAS bioaccumulation. Conversely, an inverted U-shaped curve was observed between Dmw and biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of PFAS in loach, peaking at an estimated log Dmw of 5.46. Loach bioturbation slightly increases the BCF of longer-chain PFAS in carp by enhancing the uptake rate. The introduction of DOM reduces the PFAS uptake rate in carp, resulting in a decrease in BCF. Similarly, DOM negatively affects PFAS bioaccumulation in loach, leading to a reduction in BSAF. This study highlights the importance of considering bioturbation and DOM when investigating PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. {\textcopyright} 2026 Elsevier Ltd.",

keywords = "Bioaccumulation, Dmw, DOM, Long-chain PFCA, PFOA, PFOS, Sediment",

author = "Lu Zhang and Yarui Liu and Qi Wang and Yuefei Ruan and Ting Cai and Fasong Li and Hao Chen",

year = "2026",

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doi = "10.1016/j.envpol.2026.127705",

language = "English",

volume = "393",

journal = "Environmental Pollution",

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}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter on PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment

AU - Zhang, Lu

AU - Liu, Yarui

AU - Wang, Qi

AU - Ruan, Yuefei

AU - Cai, Ting

AU - Li, Fasong

AU - Chen, Hao

PY - 2026/3/15

Y1 - 2026/3/15

N2 - Understanding the impact of bioturbation on the bioaccumulation of pollutants is crucial for assessing their ecological risks. However, the effects of bioturbation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other ionic pollutants remain unclear. This work investigated the effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the bioavailability of seven PFAS via self-developed aquatic microcosms containing water, sediment, carp, and loach. Results revealed a significant positive log-log correlation between the membrane−water distribution coefficient (Dmw) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFAS in carp, highlighting the role of Dmw in PFAS bioaccumulation. Conversely, an inverted U-shaped curve was observed between Dmw and biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of PFAS in loach, peaking at an estimated log Dmw of 5.46. Loach bioturbation slightly increases the BCF of longer-chain PFAS in carp by enhancing the uptake rate. The introduction of DOM reduces the PFAS uptake rate in carp, resulting in a decrease in BCF. Similarly, DOM negatively affects PFAS bioaccumulation in loach, leading to a reduction in BSAF. This study highlights the importance of considering bioturbation and DOM when investigating PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.

AB - Understanding the impact of bioturbation on the bioaccumulation of pollutants is crucial for assessing their ecological risks. However, the effects of bioturbation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other ionic pollutants remain unclear. This work investigated the effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the bioavailability of seven PFAS via self-developed aquatic microcosms containing water, sediment, carp, and loach. Results revealed a significant positive log-log correlation between the membrane−water distribution coefficient (Dmw) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PFAS in carp, highlighting the role of Dmw in PFAS bioaccumulation. Conversely, an inverted U-shaped curve was observed between Dmw and biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of PFAS in loach, peaking at an estimated log Dmw of 5.46. Loach bioturbation slightly increases the BCF of longer-chain PFAS in carp by enhancing the uptake rate. The introduction of DOM reduces the PFAS uptake rate in carp, resulting in a decrease in BCF. Similarly, DOM negatively affects PFAS bioaccumulation in loach, leading to a reduction in BSAF. This study highlights the importance of considering bioturbation and DOM when investigating PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.

KW - Bioaccumulation

KW - Dmw

KW - DOM

KW - Long-chain PFCA

KW - PFOA

KW - PFOS

KW - Sediment

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U2 - 10.1016/j.envpol.2026.127705

DO - 10.1016/j.envpol.2026.127705

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

C2 - 41564992

SN - 0269-7491

VL - 393

JO - Environmental Pollution

JF - Environmental Pollution

M1 - 127705

ER -

Effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter on PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

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JRFS: Identification of Priority Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Marine Cetaceans from the Coastal South China Sea

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Effects of bioturbation and dissolved organic matter on PFAS bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

Projects

JRFS: Identification of Priority Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Marine Cetaceans from the Coastal South China Sea

Cite this