‘Forever chemical’ contamination could undermine sea otters’ fragile recovery in Canada – Mongabay

Report on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Canadian Sea Otter Populations and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals that endangered sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations along the coast of British Columbia, Canada, are contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” This contamination poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity and highlights challenges in achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The findings indicate a direct correlation between PFAS concentrations and proximity to urban centers, underscoring the impact of human industrial and domestic activities on marine ecosystems.

Background: PFAS Contamination and Marine Ecosystem Health

PFAS Chemicals and the Challenge to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals valued for their resistance to heat, water, and stains. Their persistence in the environment, however, presents a critical challenge to sustainable practices.

• Ubiquity: Found in products ranging from nonstick cookware and food packaging to firefighting foams, PFAS enter marine ecosystems primarily through wastewater and runoff.
• Persistence: These chemicals can take hundreds or thousands of years to degrade, leading to bioaccumulation in food webs.
• SDG 12 Impact: The widespread production and use of PFAS conflict with the targets of SDG 12, which calls for the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Sea Otters as Bioindicators for SDG 14: Life Below Water

Sea otters are an endangered keystone species whose health is indicative of the overall condition of coastal marine environments. Their conservation is integral to maintaining biodiversity and achieving the targets of SDG 14.

• Conservation Status: Classified as endangered by the IUCN, sea otter populations in British Columbia have recovered from near-extirpation but now face new anthropogenic threats, including chemical pollution.
• Ecological Role: As predators, they are susceptible to the biomagnification of toxins, making them effective indicators of marine pollution levels.
• Threats to SDG 14: Pollution from land-based activities, as evidenced by PFAS contamination, directly undermines efforts to reduce marine pollution and protect marine and coastal ecosystems as mandated by SDG 14.

Analysis of Study Findings

Methodology and Results

The study analyzed tissue samples from 11 deceased sea otters (E. l. kenyoni) to quantify their PFAS burden. The results provide critical data on the extent of chemical pollution in Canadian coastal waters.

1. Universal Contamination: All 11 sea otters tested positive for PFAS residues in their livers.
2. Dominant Chemicals: Three specific PFAS compounds—perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)—accounted for over 80% of the total PFAS concentration.
3. Geographic Correlation: Otters found near densely populated areas and shipping lanes exhibited significantly higher concentrations of PFAS compared to those from more remote, northern locations. This finding directly links pollution levels to human activity, impacting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14.

Health Implications and Connection to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

While the detected PFAS concentrations were lower than those found in sea otters in California or in local killer whale populations, even low-level exposure is associated with adverse health effects, compromising SDG 3 for both wildlife and humans.

• Immune System Compromise: Previous research has linked PFAS exposure in sea otters to weakened immunity, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases.
• Broader Health Risks: In humans, PFAS are linked to cancer, liver damage, and impaired fertility, highlighting the universal threat these chemicals pose to the goal of ensuring healthy lives.
• Ecosystem-Wide Impact: The contamination of a keystone species threatens the stability of the entire coastal ecosystem, demonstrating how environmental health is inextricably linked to the well-being of all species.

Policy Response and Future Outlook

Regulatory Frameworks and Sustainable Governance

The study’s findings reinforce the need for robust regulatory action to manage and eliminate harmful chemicals, aligning with the principles of SDG 12.

• Canadian Government Action: Canada has previously listed PFOS and PFOSA as toxic substances and is moving toward classifying the entire PFAS class as toxic, which would enable tighter regulations on their use, import, and manufacture.
• International Agreements: The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has regulated some PFAS, although global adoption and enforcement remain inconsistent.
• Call for Action: Environmental advocates and scientists urge the Canadian government to expedite regulations to ban PFAS from consumer products, thereby protecting vulnerable species and advancing progress toward SDG 14 and SDG 12.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article connects PFAS chemicals to severe health problems in humans, such as cancer, liver damage, and impaired fertility. It also discusses how these chemicals weaken the immunity of sea otters, making them more susceptible to deadly diseases.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article focuses on the lifecycle of PFAS, from their creation and use in industrial and household products to their environmental persistence. It highlights the need for better chemical management and regulation, as seen in the Canadian government’s move to classify PFAS as toxic and the discussion around the Stockholm Convention.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is a central theme, as the article details the contamination of marine ecosystems and wildlife with “forever chemicals.” It specifically reports on the presence of PFAS in sea otters and killer whales, the bioaccumulation of these toxins in marine food webs, and the threat this pollution poses to the health and survival of marine species.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article addresses this goal by focusing on the conservation of sea otters, an endangered species. It notes that pollution from land-based human activities threatens their recovery and long-term survival, directly linking to the protection of biodiversity and threatened species.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article directly supports this by highlighting the known health risks of PFAS to humans and wildlife and discussing regulatory actions to control these hazardous substances.
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. The article discusses how PFAS enter the sea through wastewater and runoff and mentions international agreements (Stockholm Convention) and national regulations (Canadian Environmental Protection Act) aimed at managing and reducing the use of these chemicals.
• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities. The core issue of the article is the contamination of coastal waters and marine life with PFAS, which originate from human population centers and industrial activities on land.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The article identifies PFAS pollution as a significant threat to the recovery and survival of the sea otter, which is listed as an endangered species by the IUCN.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Concentration of PFAS in wildlife: The study’s primary methodology involves measuring the concentration of specific PFAS chemicals (PFOSA, PFNA, PFOS) in the liver tissues of sea otters. The article states, “All carried PFAS in their livers,” and compares concentration levels between otters near urban centers and those in more remote areas. This serves as a direct indicator of chemical pollution in marine ecosystems (relevant to Targets 3.9, 12.4, and 14.1).
• Population status of endangered species: The article provides data on the sea otter population, noting their recovery from near-extinction to “roughly 8,000 sea otters in British Columbian waters” by 2017. It also mentions their current endangered status according to the IUCN. Monitoring these population numbers is a key indicator for measuring progress on protecting threatened species (relevant to Target 15.5).
• Implementation of chemical regulations: The article mentions specific regulatory actions, such as the Canadian government’s “State of PFAS Report” recommending tighter rules and the listing of PFOS and PFOSA as toxic substances in 2006. The adoption and enforcement of such regulations are indicators of progress in achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals (relevant to Target 12.4).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: news.mongabay.com