Occurrence and risk assessment of perfluoroalkyl substances in the river basin around fluorine industry parks, China

Fluorine industry parks (FIPs) play a fundamental role in the advancement of China's fluorine industry. In this study, Target analysis was combined with traceability analysis to determine the type of PFASs present in the surface water and sediment around FIPs in China. Meanwhile, the risk they posed to the surrounding river was examined through risk characterisation ratio. Among the areas surveyed, 10 and 15 PFASs were detected in the surface water and sediment, with concentrations of up to 32,674.0 ng/L and 17.84 ng/g, respectively. There were a larger proportion of short-chain PFASs (C4-C7), and perfluoropentanoic acid was particularly prevalent. Source analysis indicates that the PFASs in the surface water may have originated from precursor degradation and atmospheric deposition. The fluorine rubber industry was the main source for the sediment PFASs, particularly for short-chain compounds. A risk characterisation ratio analysis identified perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorobutane sulfonate, perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluoropentanoic acid, and perfluorohexanoic acid as compounds with relatively high risks.

Automated summary

Target analysis combined with traceability analysis was used to identify the type of PFASs present in surface water and sediment around fluorine industry parks (FIPs) in China. Risk characterisation ratio was employed to evaluate the risk posed by these PFASs to the surrounding river. The study found the presence of 10 and 15 PFASs in surface water and sediment, with concentrations reaching up to 32,674.0 ng/L and 17.84 ng/g, respectively. Short-chain PFASs, particularly perfluoropentanoic acid, were predominant. Source analysis suggested that PFASs in surface water originated from precursor degradation and atmospheric deposition, while the fluorine rubber industry was the main source for PFASs in sediment, especially short-chain compounds. A risk characterisation ratio analysis identified several compounds, including perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorobutane sulfonate, perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluoropentanoic acid, and perfluorohexanoic acid, as having relatively high risks.