Risk Assessment of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances on Western Snowy Plover in Ormond Beach Wetlands, Oxnard, California

Abstract

Ormond Beach wetland complex in Oxnard, California, houses one of the few remaining intact dune-transition, zone-marsh systems on the west coast. The threatened Western Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus C.) uses this dune-transition zone during their nesting season. Ormond Beach is bordered on either side by Port Hueneme Naval Base and Point Mugu Naval Air Station, both of which used Aqueous Film Forming Foam, introducing Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the groundwater and local ecosystems. This assessment was conducted to assess the extent of exposure and impact of PFAS on the Western Snowy Plover, due to the proximity of the Ormond Bech wetland complex to these naval bases. First, Iaccessed historic PFAS groundwater data from the Point Mugu Naval Air Station and Port Hueneme Naval Base and used theoretical groundwater models to assess the potential groundwater transport from the bases to the groundwater fed sections of the wetland complex. I found that there are potentially substantial effects to the Ormond Beach wetland complex and the Western Snowy Plovers that nest there from both perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutate sulfate (PFBS). With a Risk Quotient (RQ) for PFOS of 575, I recommend that additional data be obtained from the Ormond Beach wetland complex to understand PFAS exposure and further risk levels of these wetlands. Second, I reviewed the current federal and state policy and regulatory framework addressing PFAS contamination, highlighting the Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS Action Plan, the Department of Defense’s amendments, and overall and California based state-level initiatives. Despite significant progressin human health targeted policy, legislative gaps remain in managing PFAS proliferation and cleanup protocols, necessitating ongoing vigilance and adaptability from local and federal governments. Last, I conducted a stakeholder analysis of Ormond Beach to inform mitigation challenges. The Ormond Beach wetland complex involves diverse stakeholders, including federal agencies, local governments, conservation organizations, and private landowners. These complementary objectives revealed a substantial PFOS risk (Risk Quotient = 575) to Western Snowy Plovers at Ormond Beach with minimal legislative guidance on potential mitigation or remediation.