What they found
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected in all sampled bears, with total concentrations ranging from 79.5-317 pg/mL. Long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, like PFOA, PFDA, and PFUnDA, dominated the PFAS profiles.
What they studied
Researchers quantified PFAS and pesticides in whole blood from 15 black bears and 9 grizzly bears in Montana's Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem to establish baseline contaminant data for large omnivores.
Takeaways
The abstract focuses on findings; it does not give personal how-to steps. This study provides crucial baseline data on persistent contaminants in terrestrial food webs.
About this paper
This baseline assessment quantified 52 PFAS and 186 pesticides in whole blood from 15 black bears and 9 grizzly bears in the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem. While measured concentrations were generally low compared to other wildlife toxicological studies, the persistence and protein-binding properties of long-chain PFAS warrant continued attention.