ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS IN FARM AND WILD ANIMALS

Environmental pollution poses significant risks to both human and animal health, needing a "One Health" approach to understand the complex interactions between ecosystems, human, animals, and contaminants. This thesis focuses on the environmental contaminants, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and trace elements, exploring their absorption and bioaccumulation in farm and wild animals. PFASs, a group of over 7,000 synthetic chemicals used in various industrial applications, are known for their persistence in the environment and potential adverse effects on health. Similarly, trace elements, while naturally occurring, can become toxic at high concentrations due to human activities such as industrial processes. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence and bioaccumulation of PFASs and trace elements in animals, using roe deer, wild boar, bovine and swine as bioindicators to assess environmental contamination. The research employed both targeted and non-targeted analytical approaches, including liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, to identify and quantify these contaminants in biological matrices such as liver, muscle, fur and milk. The study further compared bioaccumulation patterns between species like roe deer and cattle, or wild boar and swine, to understand the influence of physiological and environmental factors on pollutant accumulation. The obtained results highlighted the ecological implications of the bioaccumulation of PFASs and trace elements in animals. PFASs and trace elements were detected in various tissues, with a higher concentration in the liver compared to muscle, indicating a strong affinity for liver proteins. Additionally, the study found that PFASs and trace elements levels varied based on age, sex, and environmental exposure, with older animals showing higher bioaccumulation due to prolonged exposure and declining hepatic function. Significant differences in trace element concentrations were also observed between species, influenced by factors such as feeding behavior, body structure, and environmental exposure. The research underscoreed the importance of biomonitoring as a tool to reflect real-world exposure to environmental pollutants and provided insights into the broader ecological impacts of persistent organic pollutants. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrated the utility of using animals as biomonitoring tools for assessing environmental contamination. Roe deer were identified as effective bioindicators of PFASs due to their territorial behavior and the distinct bioaccumulation patterns observed in different tissues. The research developed a non-targeted PFAS analysis workflow that successfully identified new 60 PFAS compounds in roe deer, revealing tissue-specific accumulation patterns. Moreover, the findings emphasized the need for advanced analytical approaches to monitor known and unknown PFASs and trace elements, facilitating informed decisions on environmental management and conservation. The study contributed to a deeper understanding of how environmental contaminants affect ecosystems, highlighting the need for continued research to protect animal and human health.