Perfluoroalkyl Substances in the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Daniele De A Miranda,Vanessa Hatje,Jana Johansson,Jonathan P Benskin,Juliana Leonel

doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c01794

Abstract

The dispersion of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and deep-water profiles (down to 5845 m deep) was evaluated through the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean (TAO) between 15°N and 23°S. The sum concentrations for eight quantifiable PFAS (∑8PFAS) in surface waters ranged from 11 to 69 pg/L, which is lower than previously reported in the same area as well as in higher latitudes. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were the predominant PFASs present in the Western TAO. The 16 surface samples showed variable PFAS distributions, with the predominance of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) along the transect (67%; 11 ± 8 pg/L) and detection of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) only in the Southern TAO. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was often detected in the vertical profiles. PFAS distribution patterns (i.e., profiles and concentrations) varied with depth throughout the TAO latitudinal sectors (North, Equator, South Atlantic, and in the Brazilian coastal zone). Vertical profiles in coastal samples displayed decreasing PFAS concentrations with increasing depth, whereas offshore samples displayed higher PFAS detection frequencies in the intermediate water masses. Together with the surface currents and coastal upwelling, the origin of the water masses was an important factor in explaining PFAS concentrations and profiles in the TAO.

Highlights

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fully fluorinated organic compounds that have been used since the 1950s1 but which only emerged as a new class of global pollutants in the early 2000s
Their unique physical−chemical properties have made them attractive for use in a wide range of products.[3]. These properties contribute to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and global environmental occurrence.[4−8] the detection of PFAS in humans and wildlife is of considerable concern considering the links between PFAS exposure and adverse health effects.[9,10]
PFAS have been detected in the Equatorial and Southern Atlantic waters.[17−20,29−31] Long-range oceanic transport is an important source of PFAS to the Southern Atlantic Ocean,[17,32] considering the relatively small regional inputs previously observed there.[33−35] a potential local source of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) to the South Atlantic Ocean is the use of the PFOS precursor formicide sulfluramid (N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide; EtFOSA) in South America, mainly in Brazil.[18,19]

Summary

■ INTRODUCTION

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fully fluorinated organic compounds that have been used since the 1950s1 but which only emerged as a new class of global pollutants in the early 2000s.2 Their unique physical−chemical properties (including stability, amphipathicity, and high surface activity) have made them attractive for use in a wide range of products.[3]. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fully fluorinated organic compounds that have been used since the 1950s1 but which only emerged as a new class of global pollutants in the early 2000s.2. Their unique physical−chemical properties (including stability, amphipathicity, and high surface activity) have made them attractive for use in a wide range of products.[3] these properties contribute to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and global environmental occurrence.[4−8] the detection of PFAS in humans and wildlife is of considerable concern considering the links between PFAS exposure and adverse health effects.[9,10]. Received: March 19, 2021 Revised: September 1, 2021 Accepted: September 22, 2021 Published: October 7, 2021

■ MATERIALS AND METHODS

■ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

■ REFERENCES