Fluorinated chemicals in avian top predators of northern ecosystems: development of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques for PFCs

This application for a research stay in Norway is a spin off to an ongoing international project funded by the Norwegian EPA, aimed at investigating the impacts of organic pollutants and natural stressors on the survival and reproduction of raptors in nor thern Norway (RAPTOR 2015). The purpose of the current proposal, however, is to increase the knowledge on the analysis of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and specifically develop a reliable method to measure PFCs in feathers and possibly preen oil of thes e raptor species. Feathers have already been used successfully for monitoring of heavy metals, and recently also for organic pollutants, but a reliable method for PFCs is not available yet and needs to be established. For this purpose, the expertise of the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU, Dr. Dorte Herzke) in PFCs analysis and the experience of Dr. Veerle Jaspers (University of Antwerp, Belgium) in non-destructive biomonitoring using feathers will be combined. Dr. Veerle Jaspers was the first to investigate the usefulness of feathers as a non-destructive biomonitor for organic pollutants. The proposed project has the potential to become the fundamental work of the analysis of PFCs in a non-destructive matrix for raptors, and birds in genera l: the use of feathers. This research stay will allow us to exchange knowledge and expertise together in the laboratory and this will enhance the speed and optimization of the collaboration. The experience gained will result in a new analytical method f or PFCs in feathers, enabling us to monitor endangered raptors without harming the birds and their offspring and in a better understanding of the fate and excretion routes of PFCs in birds. The results will be used for ongoing and future cooperation.