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Cited by 322Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchFluorine in Organic ChemistryEnvironmental Chemistry and Analysis

Short- and long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances in the water, suspended particulate matter, and surface sediment of a turbid river

Open access
Zhao, Pujun, Xia, Xinghui, Dong, Jianwei, Xia, Na, Jiang, Xiaoman, Li, Yang, Zhu, Yuemei·2016·Science of The Total Environment
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.221
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Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have attracted attentions all around the world. However, little is known about their distribution among water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment phases in rivers, especially for the short-chain PFASs. In this work, the Yellow River, the largest turbid river in the world, was selected as a case to study eleven kinds of PFASs in the three phases of rivers. These PFASs included C4-C12 perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs), perfluorobutyl sulfonate (PFBS), and perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS), among which C4-C7 PFCAs and PFBS belong to short-chain PFASs, while C8-C12 PFCAs and PFOS belong to long-chain PFASs. The results showed that the total PFAS concentration ranged from 44.7ngL(-1) to 1.52μgL(-1) in the water, from 8.19 to 17.4ngg(-1) in the sediment, and from 3.44 to 14.7ngg(-1) in the SPM. Short-chain PFASs predominated in the water and could reach up to 88.8% of the total PFAS concentration in water, while long-chain PFASs prevailed in the sediment and SPM. The PFAS concentration in SPM showed a significant negative correlation with SPM concentration in river water (p<0.01). The distribution coefficients (Kd) of PFASs between sediment/SPM and water increased with their chain length and there was a positive correlation between logKd and logKow (octanol-water partition coefficients). The total annual flux of all the eleven PFASs was estimated at 3.88tons for the Yellow River into the Bohai Sea, among which the PFOA flux was the highest (0.90tons). The widely occurrence and high concentrations of short-chain PFASs in the Yellow River indicates the shift of manufacturing focus of perfluoroalkyl chemicals from traditional long-chain ones to short-chain ones. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the eco-environmental risks of these short-chain PFASs in water environments.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.221

Cites

52 of 52 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

2 of 50 cited sources checked · 1 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data

    In the water phase of the Yellow River, the largest contribution to total PFASs was not from PFOA (which contributed <1% to 24%) but from short-chain PFASs such as PFBA (1-45%), PFPnA (4-58%), and PFHxA (2-51%).

    “the biggest contribution was not PFOA (from <1% to 24%) among PFASs, but short-chain PFASs such as PFBA (1-45%), PFPnA (4-58%), and PFHxA (2-51%) for the water phase of the Yellow River”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The concentration of PFOS was higher than that of PFBS at all sampling sites.

    “the concentration of PFOS was higher than PFBS at all the sampling sites”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The total annual flux of all eleven PFASs from the Yellow River into the Bohai Sea was estimated to be 3.88 tons.

    “The total annual flux of all the eleven PFASs was estimated at 3.88 tons for the Yellow River into the Bohai Sea”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The PFAS concentrations measured during the sampling period are representative of the annual average for estimating annual flux.
  • Findingown data

    Short-chain PFASs reached up to 88.8% of the total PFAS concentration in water at site M6 (Xiaolangdi).

    “could reach up to 88.8% of the total PFAS concentration in the water (at M6，Xiaolangdi)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Short-chain PFASs prevailed over long-chain PFASs at 15 sampling sites.

    “Short-chain PFASs prevailed over long-chain PFASs in 15 sampling sites”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 24
  • May combine two claims. 37

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    PFASs may have adverse effects on wildlife and humans through the food web.

    “Thus PFASs may have adverse effects on wild life and even human beings through the food web”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kannan et al., 2005 source

      The Results and Discussion (page unavailable) report that PFOS biomagnifies through a Great Lakes food chain, with the highest concentrations in mink and bald eagles. This supports food-web exposure in wildlife, but the paper does not establish adverse effects or address effects in humans. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    PFOA and PFOS may cause reproductive and developmental toxicity in rodents.

    “PFOA and PFOS may have reproductive and developmental toxicity on rodents”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lau et al., 2004 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In general, tributary sites had higher total dissolved PFAS concentrations than main stream sites, except that site T3 had a lower concentration than site M3.

    “Generally, tributaries had higher concentrations than the main stream (T2>M2, T4>M7, T5>M8, T6>M11), except that T3 had a lower concentration than M3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Only PFBS, PFPnA, PFHpA, and PFUdA were not detected at some sites, while the remaining PFASs were detected at all twenty sampling sites.

    “Only PFBS (detection frequency=85%), PFPnA (90%), PFHpA (95%), and PFUdA (90%) were not detected at some places while the rest of PFASs were detected at all the sampling sites (n=20)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the main stream, the maximum total PFAS concentration in sediment was at the Aishan station, with PFOA (7.80 ng per gram) and PFPnA (3.18 ng per gram) as the predominant compounds.

    “For the main stream, the maximum value was observed at the Aishan station, with PFOA (7.80 ng g -1 ) and PFPnA (3.18 ng g -1 ) being the predominant compounds.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    PFBS was detected at only 16 sites, while the other PFASs were detected at all sampling sites (n = 18).

    “PFBS was only detected at 16 sites while other PFASs were detected at all the sampling sites (n=18, Table 1)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    PFBA was detected at only two of the ten studied sites, and PFPnA and PFHxA were not detected at any site.

    “PFBA was only detected in two of the 10 studied sites, PFPnA and PFHxA were not found for any studied sites”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    PFHxA had the largest dissolved annual flux (851 kg), followed by PFBA (468 kg) and PFPnA (300 kg).

    “PFHxA ranked the first in the dissolved fraction (851 kg), followed by PFBA (468 kg) and PFPnA (300 kg).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Annual average PFAS concentrations in the Yellow River are not significantly different from those measured in this study.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Long-chain PFASs contributed much more than short-chain PFASs to the total PFAS concentration in sediment, with PFOA alone contributing 42.3% on average, followed by PFDA (13.9%), PFNA (11.9%), and PFUdA (10.3%).

    “Long-chain PFASs contributed much more than the short-chain ones to the total PFAS concentration, with PFOA alone contributing 42.3% on average, followed by PFDA (13.9%),PFNA (11.9%), and PFUdA (10.3%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Compared with previous studies of the Yellow River, both short-chain and long-chain PFAS concentrations increased in the water and sediment phases.

    “compared with other previous studies about the Yellow River (Table S5), both the short-and long-chain PFAS concentrations showed increase in the water and sediment phases”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The total annual flux of long-chain PFASs in SPM-attached form was 1664.1 kg, three times that in dissolved form.

    “The sum of all long-chain PFAS annual fluxes in SPM attached form was 1664.1 kg, which was three times higher compared to that in dissolved form.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Annual average PFAS concentrations in the Yellow River are not significantly different from those measured in this study.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the tributaries, the highest total PFAS concentration in sediment was at Dongpinghu Lake, where five of the eleven PFASs reached their maximum among the studied tributaries.

    “For the tributaries, the highest value of the total PFAS concentration was observed at the Dongpinghu Lake with five of the eleven PFASs analyzed being the maximum among the studied tributaries.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Among the detected PFASs in suspended particulate matter, PFOA was the predominant compound with an average contribution of 42%, followed by PFUdA (20%), PFDA (12%), and PFDoA (12%).

    “Among the detected PFASs, PFOA was the predominant one with average contribution being 42%, followed by PFUdA (20%), PFDA (12%), and PFDoA (12%)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The highest PFAS concentration in suspended particulate matter was at the Aishan station (M11), where PFOA was the predominant compound at 6.31 ng per gram.

    “The highest PFAS concentration was reached at the Aishan station (M11), where PFOA was the predominant compound (6.31 ng g -1 , data not shown).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Short-chain PFASs were detected in the water phase and contributed up to 88.8%.

    “Short-chain PFASs were detected and have a considerable contribution (up to 88.8%) in the water phase.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Short-chain PFASs were non-detectable or at very low levels and had much lower contribution in sediment or SPM.

    “However, they were non-detectable or at very low levels and have much lower contribution in the sediment or SPM.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The correlation coefficients of the standard calibration curves were greater than 0.99.

    “The correlation coefficients of the standard calibration curves were higher than 0.99”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Short-chain PFASs are as persistent as and more mobile in long-range transport than long-chain homologues.

    “It has been reported that short-chain PFASs are as persistent as and more mobile in long-range transport than the long-chain homologues”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wang et al., 2015 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The PFAS concentrations in the samples were not corrected for recovery.

    “the PFAS concentrations in samples were not corrected according to the recoveries”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The limits of quantification for the target chemicals in LC-MS/MS ranged from 0.0058 to 0.65 micrograms per liter.

    “The LOQs for the target chemicals in the LC-MS/MS ranged from 0.0058 to 0.65 µg L -1”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Each sample was analyzed in triplicate, and the standard deviation was less than 5%.

    “Each sample had three replicates and the standard deviation was less than 5%”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The pollution source at the Fenhe River still affected the main stream, as shown by the maximum concentration occurring at the Fenhe River, which receives many industrial effluents.

    “This is because the pollution source of T2 (Fenhe River) still had an effect on the main stream due to the fact that the maximum value was observed at the Fenhe River, which received many industry effluents.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    PFBA was detected at an average of 7.59 ng per liter in the Haihe River and 18.1 ng per liter in Dagu Drainage Canal, and it was dominant in both rivers.

    “PFBA was detected with an average of 7.59 ng L -1 in the Haihe River and 18.1 ng L -1 in Dagu Drainage Canal (China), which was dominant in both of the rivers”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Yao et al., 2014 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Procedural blank samples showed no detection of the target chemicals.

    “Procedural blank samples also showed no detection of the target chemicals”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisereasoning

    Because the fluorocarbon chains of PFASs are both hydrophobic and lipophobic, their distribution in rivers may differ from that of other well-studied hydrophobic organic compounds.

    “Because the fluorocarbon chains of PFASs are both hydrophobic and lipophobic, their distribution may be different from other well studied HOCs in rivers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    PFPnA, PFHpA, and PFOA were the dominant PFASs in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, and PFPnA dominated in the Bering Sea.

    “Perfluoropentanoate (PFPnA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and PFOA were the dominant PFASs in the Northwest Pacific Ocean and PFPnA dominated in the Bering Sea”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cai et al., 2012 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In water samples from Dagu Drainage Canal in Tianjin, China, short-chain PFASs (C4-C6) were found at levels comparable to longer-chain PFASs (>C6), and PFBA was the dominant short-chain compound.

    “short-chain PFASs (C4-C6) were detected with a comparable level of the longer-chain PFASs (>C6) in the water samples from Dagu Drainage Canal (Dagu) in Tianjin, China, and perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA) was the dominant type in the short-chain analogues”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Yao et al., 2014 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    PFOA and PFOS were the dominant PFAS compounds and were thought to be the final transformation products of other PFASs.

    “Many studies found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were the dominant compounds and they were believed to be the final transformation products of other PFASs”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Dinglasan et al., 2004 source
    • cites Parsons et al., 2008 source
    • cites Zhao et al., 2014 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Short-chain PFASs have been detected and can even prevail over long-chain PFASs in some locations.

    “Short-chain PFASs, which are defined as n < 6 for perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and n < 7 for perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) (OECD, 2011), have been detected and even prevail over long-chain PFASs in some places.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites OECD, 2011

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Recoveries of the mass-labelled PFOA in water samples ranged from 81% to 124%.

    “Recoveries of MPFOA in the water samples ranged from 81% to 124%”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Hydrophobic organic compounds tend to associate with sediment and suspended particulate matter, which control their fate and bioavailability in aquatic environments, especially in turbid rivers.

    “Hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) tend to be associated with sediment and SPM, which play important roles in controlling the fate and bioavailability of HOCs in aquatic environment, especially in turbid rivers”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Ahrens et al., 2010 source
    • cites Dong et al., 2013 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    PFOA may cause hepatic toxicity and have potential carcinogenicity in rats.

    “PFOA may exert hepatic toxic and have potential carcinogenicity on rats”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kennedy, G. L., 2004 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    PFBS and PFBA were the predominant PFASs in surface water of Tangxun Lake in Wuhan, China, with average concentrations of 3660 ng per liter and 4770 ng per liter, respectively.

    “PFBS and PFBA were the predominant PFASs in the surface water of the Tangxun Lake in Wuhan, China, with relatively high average concentrations of 3660 ng L -1 and 4770 ng L -1 , respectively”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zhou et al., 2013 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    PFASs can be accumulated by aquatic organisms.

    “Many investigators have found that PFASs could be accumulated by aquatic organisms”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Conder et al., 2008 source
    • cites Xia et al., 2013 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The relatively low percentages of short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs in sediment may be due to their high solubility, leading to less adsorption onto sediment, since PFAS solubility decreases with increasing carbon chain length.

    “This may be due to the high solubility of these compounds, leading to less adsorption onto the sediment, since the solubility of PFASs decreased with increasing carbon chain length.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Kd depends on a water body's physical, chemical, and biological state and can differ within and between aquatic ecosystems.

    “This is because Kd is a variable that depends on the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the water body and varies within and among aquatic ecosystems (Zhang et al., 2013;Johansson et al., 2001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Zhang et al., 2013 source
    • cites Johansson et al., 2001 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    PFOS can move from water to solid phases, which may cause nonequilibrium between solid and water phases in the Yellow River.

    “It has the potential to transfer from the water to solid phases, leading to the nonequilibrium between solid and water phases in the Yellow River.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The highest PFAS value at Dongpinghu Lake might be one reason for the highest PFAS concentration in sediment at the Aishan station, because Dongpinghu Lake is about 30 km upstream of the Aishan station.

    “The highest PFAS value at the Dongpinghu Lake might be one reason for the highest PFAS concentration in the sediment of the Aishan station because the Dongpinghu Lake lies at the upper stream (about 30 km away) of the Aishan station.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Other reports indicate that sulfonate sorption is stronger than that of the analogous carboxylic acid.

    “This founding is in contrast with other reports that the sorption of sulfonate will be stronger than the analogous carboxylic acid (Vierke et al., 2014).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Vierke et al., 2014 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prior literature has documented that PFAS sorption depends on chain length.

    “Lots of literature have documented the chain-length dependence of PFAS sorption (Lasier et al., 2011;Xia et al., 2013;2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Lasier et al., 2011 source
    • cites Xia et al., 2013;2015

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The observed Kd variability may result from PFASs not being at equilibrium between sediment/SPM and water in the Yellow River.

    “Besides, this variability may be caused by the nonequilibrium of PFASs between sediment/SPM and water in the Yellow River.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The main possible sources of PFOS in China include food packaging, textiles, electroplating, firefighting, semiconductor industry emissions, and emissions from the precious metals and coating industries.

    “The main possible sources of PFOS include food-packaging, textile, electroplating, firefighting and semiconductor industry emission sources and the precious metals and coating industry emission sources in China”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Qi et al., 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    There might be some PFAS sources contributing to the observed increases.

    “suggesting that there might be some PFAS sources”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The total PFAS concentration in Yellow River sediment was similar to that in the Haihe River, which also empties into the Bohai Sea, where surface sediment total PFAS (PFOS and C8-C12 PFCAs) ranged from 0.52 to 16.33 ng per gram dry weight.

    “The total PFAS concentration in the Yellow River was at similar levels as in the Haihe River, which also empties into the Bohai Sea, with the total PFAS concentration (PFOS and C8-C12 PFCAs) in surface sediment ranged between 0.52 and 16.33 ng/g dry weight”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zhao et al., 2014 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Short-chain PFCAs were exclusively detected in water, while longer-chain PFCAs and PFSAs appeared to bind more strongly to particles.

    “which found that short-chain PFCAs were exclusively detected in water, while longer-chain PFCAs and PFSAs appeared to bind more strongly to particles”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ahrens et al., 2010 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The negative correlation between PFAS levels and suspended particulate matter concentration might be due to the dilution effect of suspended particulate matter and the particle concentration effect on contaminant sorption.

    “This might be due to the dilution effect of SPM and the particle concentration effect of contaminant sorption on SPM (Dong et al., 2013;Turner and Rawling, 2002).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Dong et al., 2013 source
    • cites Turner and Rawling, 2002 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Zhao et al. (2012) reported log Koc ranges of 1.70-3.80 for C5-C12 PFCAs and 1.75-2.97 for C4-C8 PFSAs.

    “A previous research has reported that the log Koc was in the range of 1.70-3.80for C5-C12 PFCAs and 1.75-2.97for C4-C8 PFSAs (Zhao et al., 2012), which is similar to our results.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zhao et al., 2012 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The total PFAS concentration in suspended particulate matter from Tokyo Bay, Japan, ranged from 6.4 to 15.1 ng per gram dry weight.

    “This is comparable to the level reported by a previous research conducted in Tokyo Bay (Japan) that the total PFAS concentration ranged from 6.4 to 15.1 ng g -1 (dry weight) in the SPM fraction”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ahrens et al., 2010 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The downstream area may have had more sources of short-chain PFASs than of long-chain PFASs.

    “This might be caused by: 1) more possible sources of short-chain PFASs existed in the downstream relative to the long-chain PFASs;”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In a water-saturated sediment column test, short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs with up to six carbons showed complete breakthrough, while longer-chain compounds were retarded, suggesting groundwater may be affected by contaminated surface waters.

    “In a water-saturated sediment column test, short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs with up to six carbon atoms showed complete breakthrough while longer-chain ones were retarded, suggesting ground water may be affected by contaminated surface waters (Vierke et al., 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Vierke et al., 2014 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    When short-chain PFASs are at the same surface-water contamination level as long-chain PFASs, less short-chain PFASs are trapped in soil or sediment and more permeate into groundwater than long-chain PFASs.

    “Thus, when the contamination of short-chain PFASs is at the same level of long-chain PFASs in surface water, less of them will be trapped in the soil or sediment and much more will permeate into the ground water than the long-chain PFASs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Trace PFAS levels were detected to 120 cm depth in soil cores from biosolids-amended soils, suggesting movement within the soil profile and higher transport potential for short-chain PFASs in such soils.

    “Trace levels of PFASs were detected in soil cores from biosolids-amended soils to depths of 120 cm, suggesting potential movement of these compounds within the soil profile over time and confirming the higher transport potential for short-chain PFASs in soils amended with municipal biosolids (Sepulvado et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sepulvado et al., 2011 source
52 of 52

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little is known about the distribution of short-chain PFASs among water, suspended particulate matter, and sediment in rivers.

    “However, little is known about their distribution among water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment phases in rivers, especially for the short-chain PFASs.”
    “However, little is known about the distribution of short-chain PFASs among water, SPM, and sediment.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The PFAS concentrations measured during the sampling period are representative of the annual average for estimating annual flux.

    “The total annual flux of all the eleven PFASs was estimated at 3.88 tons for the Yellow River into the Bohai Sea”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Yellow River is a typical case for studying PFAS distribution in turbid rivers.

    “Because the Yellow River is the largest turbid river in the world (Liu et al., 2013), this study took it as a typical case to investigate the PFAS distribution in turbid rivers”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 20 sampling sites are representative of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.

    “Water and sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 10 sites for suspended particulate matter are representative of the suspended particulate matter in the Yellow River.

    “Due to the low SPM concentration in the overlying water at some sampling sites, enough SPM sample for the determination of PFASs was obtained only from ten sites.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    After 2002, some traditional long-chain PFASs were replaced by shorter-chain alternatives.

    “After that, some”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    PFOS was replaced by PFBS by 3M Company after 2003.

    “For example, PFOS was replaced by perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) by 3M Company after 2003.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No tributaries, industrial wastewater discharges, or domestic sewage enter the Yellow River between Luokou station and the river mouth, and Luokou station is not influenced by seawater.

    “Because there are no tributaries, industrial wastewater discharges and domestic sewage flow into the Yellow River segment between the Luokou station (M12) and the river mouth, and the Luokou station is free from the seawater influence, the flux of PFASs at Luokou can represent the contribution of the river to the sea.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Annual average PFAS concentrations in the Yellow River are not significantly different from those measured in this study.

    “Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the annual average concentrations of PFASs are not significantly different from the results obtained in this research for the Yellow River, and the total annual mass loadings of PFASs (Ftotal, kg) of the Yellow River can be calculated according to the following equations.”
9 of 9

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • The abundance of PFBA in groundwater near the Mississippi River may be largely attributable to upstream sources and the mobility of short-chain PFAAs in organic matter-containing sediments, enabling PFBA from the river to penetrate the porous carbonate strata into which these wells are bored.

    “The abundance of PFBA in groundwater near the Mississippi River may be largely attributable to upstream sources and the mobility of short-chain PFAAs in organic matter-containing sediments (Gao et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2016), enabling PFBA from the river to penetrate the porous carbonate strata into which these wells are bored.”

    From PFAS in Iowa drinking water sources: Chemical and geospatial patterns (2025) · cites this paper as Zhao et al., 2016

    Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Adsorption of long-chain PFAS to riverine solids and soft tissues could potentially explain the prevalence of short-chain over long-chain PFAS in river Ouse.

    “Other potential factors such as adsorption of long-chain PFAS to riverine solids (e.g. sediments) and soft tissues (e.g. aquatic plants) could potentially explain the prevalence of short-chain over long-chain PFAS in river Ouse (Zhao et al., 2016).”

    From Occurrence of emerging and persistent organic pollutants in the rivers Cam, Ouse and Thames, UK (2025) · cites this paper as Zhao et al., 2016

    Section 3.4 (page unavailable) reports that PFAS partitioning into suspended particles and sediment increases with chain length, supporting adsorption to riverine solids as a possible explanation. The paper studies the Yellow River, not the River Ouse, and its mention of accumulation by aquatic organisms in the Introduction does not establish preferential adsorption of long-chain PFAS to soft tissues such as aquatic plants. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Long-chain PFAS are more likely to adsorb to the surfaces of sediments and aquatic plants in rivers.

    “The long-chain PFAS, on the other hand, are more likely to adsorb to the surfaces of sediments and aquatic plants in rivers (Ahrens and Bundschuh, 2014; Zhao et al., 2016).”

    From Occurrence of emerging and persistent organic pollutants in the rivers Cam, Ouse and Thames, UK (2025) · cites this paper as Zhao et al., 2016

    Section 3.4 reports that PFAS sediment–water distribution coefficients increased with chain length, supporting the sediment portion of the claim. The paper does not address adsorption to aquatic plant surfaces, so it does not support that portion. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Cites

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Related

Authors
Zhao, P., Xia, X., Dong, J., Xia, N., Jiang, X., Li, Y., & Zhu, Y.
Affiliations
Beijing Normal University (CN)
Corresponding author
Xia, Xinghui
ORCID
Venue
Science of The Total Environment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-10
Volume
568
Pages
57-65
ISSN
0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.221
OpenAlex
W2409241154
Cited by
322
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 55 · 2025: 64 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12
FWCI
7.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Science of The Total Environment (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (51325902, 91547207, 51279010, 51421065)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
Keywords
perfluorinated compounds, short-chain PFASs, perfluorinated carboxylic acids, perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOS, Yellow River, turbid rivers, suspended particulate matter, river sediments, distribution coefficient, octanol-water partition coefficient, Bohai Sea
MeSH terms
China, Environmental Monitoring, Fluorocarbons, Fresh Water, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Geologic Sediments, Rivers, Particulate Matter

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-07.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-07.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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