Rapid and Simultaneous Quantification of Short- and Ultrashort-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Water and Wastewater

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of chemicals of growing concern. Recently, there has been a shift toward the use of short- and ultrashort-chain PFASs, which are difficult to measure with current analytical methods and rarely included in environment monitoring studies. In this research, we developed and optimized online solid-phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography, and electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry methods for the rapid and simultaneous quantification of 10 short- and ultrashort-chain PFASs. We applied our method to water samples collected from a variety of natural, engineered, industrial, and commercial water systems. We detected ultrashort-chain PFASs in every sample, including hydraulic fracturing water and wastewater samples and wastewater from electronic fabrication facilities for the first time, identifying previously unknown sources of ultrashort-chain PFASs. We also measured ultrashort-chain PFASs in a variety of drinking water sources, including what was thought to be pristine groundwater and surface water sources. The measurement of ultrashort-chain PFASs in every sample type studied here raises concern over the potential ubiquity of these compounds in the environment and highlights the need for further monitoring studies, especially as longer-chain PFASs become regulated, and the industrial shift to short- and ultrashort-chain PFASs increases.