Concentration, distribution, and bioconcentration of short- and long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances in the water, suspended particulate matter, and surface sediment of a typical semi-enclosed bay

Abstract

This study investigated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in the surface water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment, and fishes in the Laizhou Bay (LZB) and its inflow river estuaries in dry, normal, and wet seasons. The results demonstrated that the short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) accounted for about 60 % of the total PFAA (∑PFAA) concentration in water, while long-chain PFAA were the dominant compounds in the sediment and SPM. The levels of the ∑PFAA and their precursors decreased from the estuaries to the bay, which implied that terrigenous input (pollutant in land flowed into sea) was the main pollution source of PFAA in the LZB. The PFAAs levels in surface water were ranked as the order of dry > normal > wet season. The distribution coefficients of PFAA showed that the long-chain PFAA were more prone to be adsorbed by sediment and SPM than short-chain PFAA. The increase of ∑PFAA concentrations was in the range of 0.32–36.7 ng·L−1 after the oxidation conversion of water samples. Precursors were the important source of the PFAA in the surface water. The perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant compound in fish tissues. These results provide hints for understanding PFAS pollution in LZB.