Cited by 198Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchFluoride Effects and RemovalChemical Analysis and Environmental Impact

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Swedish Groundwater and Surface Water: Implications for Environmental Quality Standards and Drinking Water Guidelines

Gobelius, Laura, Hedlund, Johanna, Dürig, Wiebke, Tröger, Rikard, Lilja, Karl, Wiberg, Karin, Ahrens, Lutz·2018·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Swedish aquatic environment, identify emission sources, and compare measured concentrations with environmental quality standards (EQS) and (drinking) water guideline values. In total, 493 samples were analyzed in 2015 for 26 PFASs (∑ 26 PFASs) in surface water, groundwater, landfill leachate, sewage treatment plant effluents and reference lakes, focusing on hot spots and drinking water sources. Highest ∑ 26 PFAS concentrations were detected in surface water (13 000 ng L –1 ) and groundwater (6400 ng L –1 ). The dominating fraction of PFASs in surface water were perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs; 64% of ∑ 26 PFASs), with high contributions from C 4 –C 8 PFCAs (94% of ∑PFCAs), indicating high mobility of shorter chain PFCAs. In inland surface water, the annual average (AA)-EQS of the EU Water Framework Directive of 0.65 ng L –1 for ∑PFOS (linear and branched isomers) was exceeded in 46% of the samples. The drinking water guideline value of 90 ng L –1 for ∑ 11 PFASs recommended by the Swedish EPA was exceeded in 3% of the water samples from drinking water sources ( n = 169). The branched isomers had a noticeable fraction in surface– and groundwater for perfluorooctanesulfonamide, perfluorohexanesulfonate, and perfluorooctanesulfonate, highlighting the need to include branched isomers in future guidelines.

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Crossref · 10.1021/acs.est.7b05718

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Authors
Gobelius, L., Hedlund, J., Dürig, W., Tröger, R., Lilja, K., Wiberg, K., & Ahrens, L.
Affiliations
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
  • Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SE)
Corresponding author
Ahrens, Lutz
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2018-03-12
Volume
52
Issue
7
Pages
4340-4349
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W2791059491
Cited by
198
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 3 · 2014: 1
FWCI
8.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Naturv?rdsverket (NV-02893-15)
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 › Chemical Analysis and Environmental Impact
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS contamination, groundwater, surface water, environmental quality standards, perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, PFOS, PFHxS, landfill leachate, sewage treatment plant effluent, Water Framework Directive
MeSH terms
Carboxylic Acids, Environmental Monitoring, Fluorocarbons, Sweden, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Groundwater, Drinking Water

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