Chlorinated Polyfluoroalkyl Ether Sulfonic Acids in Marine Organisms from Bohai Sea, China: Occurrence, Temporal Variations, and Trophic Transfer Behavior

F-53B, the commercial product of chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs), has been used in Chinese chrome plating industry for 30 years, and was recently identified in the environment, which caused great concerns. So far, limited investigations have been performed on their environmental occurrence, fate and impact. In this study, we demonstrated the wide occurrence of Cl-PFESAs and their trophic transfer behavior in marine organisms from Chinese Bohai Sea. 6:2 Cl-PFESA (<0.016–0.575 ng/g wet weight) was the dominant congener, and 8:2 Cl-PFESA (<0.022–0.040 ng/g) was occasionally detected. Compared to other perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) of concern, the levels of Cl-PFESAs were relatively lower in marine organisms. Based on the comparative analysis of Cl-PFESA contamination in mollusk samples collected in 2010–2014, both the concentrations and detection frequencies of Cl-PFESAs tended to increase in this region. And this kind of chemicals were more vulnerable to be accumulated in marine organisms at relatively higher trophic levels. Similar to perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and the long chain perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs), 6:2 Cl-PFESA could be magnified along the food chain. Accordingly, the potential threat might be posed to the wildlife and human beings due to unintended exposure to Cl-PFESAs.