Cited by 33Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchFluoride Effects and RemovalToxic Organic Pollutants Impact

Perfluoroalkyl acids in the aquatic environment of a fluorine industry-impacted region: Spatiotemporal distribution, partition behavior, source, and risk assessment

Hua, Zu-lin, Gao, Chang, Zhang, Jian-yun, Li, Xiao-qing·2023·Science of The Total Environment

Abstract

The present study investigated the temporal and spatial distributions, partition behaviors, sources, and risks of 14 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the aquatic environment of a fluorine industry-impacted region. The total concentrations of 14 PFAAs (ΣPFAAs) were 118.10-2235.4 ng/L, 40.00-2316.1 ng/g dw, and 6.90-180.5 ng/g dw in dissolved, suspended particle matter (SPM), and sedimentary phases, respectively. The predominant pollutants in the dissolved and SPM phases were perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with carbon chain lengths <9, whereas C13 and C14 PFCAs accounted for a large proportion in the sedimentary phase. The dry season exhibited the highest concentration of ΣPFAAs in the dissolved phase (500.9 ± 350.2 ng/L), while the wet season showed the highest concentrations of ΣPFAAs in the SPM and sedimentary phases (591.6 ± 469.1 ng/g dw and 59.7 ± 35.5 ng/g dw, respectively). Significantly higher concentrations of PFAAs have been found in sewage plant and industrial areas. The concentration of PFAAs in the Xupu water source area (XPS) was slightly higher than that in other water source areas of the Yangtze River, which were either not affected or were less affected by the fluorine industry. The log K D-SPM (distribution coefficient between SPM and water), log K D-SED (distribution coefficient between sediment and water), and log K OC-SED (the organic carbon normalized distribution coefficient) of PFAAs showed significant differences between the wet season and dry season, which may also be affected by carbon chain length. Source identification results showed that industries, wastewater discharge, and nonpoint sources were the main sources of PFAAs in this region. The ecological risk posed by long-chain PFAAs in aquatic organisms cannot be ignored, especially in areas with intensive industrial and agricultural activities. Health risks may exist for local toddlers with long-term exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) through drinking water intake and dermal contact.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159452

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Authors
Hua, Z.-L., Gao, C., Zhang, J.-Y., & Li, X.-Q.
Affiliations
Hohai University (CN)
Venue
Science of The Total Environment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-01
Volume
857
Issue
Pt 2
Pages
159452
ISSN
0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4306678511
Cited by
33
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3
FWCI
1.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (51739002, U2040209)
  • Water Resources Department of Jiangsu Province (201641104)
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (B200204020)
  • Program for Jiangsu Excellent Scientific and Technological Innovation Team
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Fluoride Effects and Removal
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
Keywords
perfluoroalkyl acids, aquatic environment, spatiotemporal variation, source apportionment, sediment-water partitioning, seasonal variation, perfluorinated carboxylic acids, perfluorooctanoic acid, environmental risk assessment, human health risk, drinking water consumption, Yangtze River
MeSH terms
Carbon, Carboxylic Acids, China, Environmental Monitoring, Fluorine, Fluorocarbons, Water, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Alkanesulfonic Acids, Risk Assessment, Rivers

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