Perfluorinated compounds in water and sediment from coastal regions of the northern Bohai Sea, China

Abstract

Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in water and sediment from coastal Bohai Bay and surrounding rivers flowing into the bay. Of the 15 PFCs measured, PFOS and PFOA were detected with the greatest frequency. Concentrations in water ranged from0.2 to 31ng center dot L-1 and1.0 to 82ng center dot L-1 for PFOS and PFOA, respectively. Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in sediments ranged from0.1 to 2.0ng center dot g-1 dw and0.1 to 0.5ng center dot g-1 dw, respectively. Concentrations of PFCs in Bohai Bay were less than those observed in other areas in Asia, but greater concentrations of Sigma PFCs were observed in the Dalin River with concentrations increasing from upstream to downstream, and the greatest concentrations in sediment were observed in tidal flats. The ratio of Sigma PFCs in sediment and water indicated that sediment could serve as a significant sink for PFUnA.