Multigenerational toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on the demography of Simocephalus vetulus (Branchiopoda).

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a synthetic pollutant highly persistent in the environment due to its long degradation times. Despite increasingly restricted production, this compound has been extensively used in manufacturing across a wide variety of industries, such as coatings, firefighting foams, synthetic fabrics, packaging, cookware, upholstery, and personal care products since the 1940s. Cladocerans are highly sensitive to environmental stress factors, and these effects are easily observed through alterations in demographic parameters. This sensitivity makes them an effective tool for assessing pollutants. In this study, we assessed the multigenerational effects of PFOA on the survival and fecundity of the cladoceran Simocephalus vetulus. The organisms were exposed to sublethal concentrations over five consecutive generations, specifically at levels of 44, 89, and 178 µg L− 1, established based on the LC50 of 356 µg L− 1. The results showed a decline in all demographic variables across generations, especially at higher concentrations. With 44 µg L− 1 PFOA, individuals showed partial recovery in the F1 generation; however, in the F4 generation, life expectancy was reduced by more than 80% compared to control. At concentrations of 89 and 178 µg L− 1, survival and reproduction rates declined from the F2 generation onwards, suggesting cumulative toxic effects. Reproduction was inhibited at all concentrations tested. These findings indicate that PFOA exposure compromises the long-term viability of S. vetulus populations, with potential implications for aquatic food webs and ecosystem stability.