Abstract

Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and some perfluorinated fire fighting foam constituents (especially perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS) were found in deposited soot and in water on Bonaire due to the BOPEC oil depot fires in September 2010. The soot deposition did not result in elevated concentrations of dioxins, PCBs and heavy metals. The probability and magnitude of human health and ecotoxicological risks were negligible for the PAHs, as well as for the dioxins, the PCBs and the metals. For PFOS ecotoxicological risks cannot be excluded. PFOS-concentrations may diminish over time due to natural removal processes, however, at an unknown speed. Furthermore there is a possibility that PFOS, used in fire fighting agents, may spread into the environment via groundwater.
Additional measurements of PFCs in water, sediment, soil and biota should give more information on current PFOS occurrence from all potential exposure routes. This would allow for a more comprehensive risk assessment, including an appropriate risk management strategy. Options for active risk reduction management, other than sanitation of the BOPEC grounds, may be scarce, however, due to specific PFOS characteristics and the vulnerability of the area. When ecotoxicological responses would be observed in the nature reserve in the future, it is recommended to involve a tropical ecologist to investigate an appropriate impact reduction approach.