Isomers/enantiomers of perfluorocarboxylic acids: Method development and detection in environmental samples.

Perfluoroalkyl substances are globally distributed in both urban and remote settings, and routinely are detected in wildlife, humans, and the environment. One of the most prominent and routinely detected perfluoroalkyl substances is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been shown to be toxic to both humans and animals. PFOA exists as both linear and branched isomers; some of the branched isomers are chiral.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of lead in the coastal watersheds of the Northern Bohai and Yellow Seas in China.

In this study, the concentration of lead ([Pb]) in the surface water, sediments, soils and muscles of carp and crab in the upstream and downstream coastal watersheds along the Northern Bohai and Yellow Seas (NBYS) in China was investigated and the risks of Pb were evaluated. The mean [Pb] in the downstream water (2.62 μg/L) and sediments [24.

Decades-scale degradation of commercial, side-chain, fluorotelomer-based polymers in soils and water.

Fluorotelomer-based polymers (FTPs) are the primary product of the fluorotelomer industry. Here we report on a 376-day study of the degradability of two commercial acrylate-linked FTPs in four saturated soils and in water. Using an exhaustive serial extraction, we report GC/MS and LC/MS/MS results for 50 species including fluorotelomer alcohols and acids, and perfluorocarboxylates.

Historical trends of inorganic and organic fluorine in sediments of Lake Michigan.

Total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF) and poly- and per-fluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in eight dated cores of sediment taken along with 27 surface sediments from Lake Michigan in 2010. Based on rates of sedimentation, total concentrations of PFCs (∑PFCs) reached a maximum in the later 1990s and early 2000s. This result is consistent with rapid changes in production and subsequent sedimentation.

Bioaccumulation characteristics of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in coastal organisms from the west coast of South Korea.

Year-round monitoring for perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) along the west coast of South Korea targeting long-term changes in water and coastal organisms has been conducted since 2008. In this study, we present the most recent 5-years of accumulated data and scrutinize the relationship between concentrations in water and biota highlighting bioaccumulation characteristics. Twelve individual PFAAs in samples of water (n=43) and biota (n=59) were quantified by use of HPLC-MS/MS after solid phase extraction.

Characterizing fluorotelomer and polyfluoroalkyl substances in new and aged fluorotelomer-based polymers for degradation studies with GC/MS and LC/MS/MS.

Fluorotelomer-based polymers (FTPs), the dominant product of the fluorotelomer industry, are antistaining and antiwetting agents that permeate the products and surfaces of modern society. However, the degree to which these materials expose humans and the environment to fluorotelomer and perfluorinated compounds, including recalcitrant and toxic compounds such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is ill-defined. The design intent of FTPs, to minimize interaction with other substances, including solvents, heretofore has stymied efforts to develop robust methods to characterize the content of monomers and associated compounds of new commercial FTPs, as well as commercial FTPs that have been aged in environmental media for degradation testing.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils along the coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their health risks in surface soils (n = 31) collected from coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas (CEANBYS), China, were investigated. Total concentrations of PAHs ranged from 6.6 × 10(1) to 9.

Environmental concentrations and bioaccumulations of cadmium and zinc in coastal watersheds along the Chinese Northern Bohai and Yellow Seas.

Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in surface water, sediment, carp, and crab samples collected from upstream and downstream regions of coastal watersheds along the Chinese Northern Bohai and Yellow Seas were analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding and assessment of their environmental concentrations and bioaccumulations. The results showed that downstream waters contaminated with Zn would have adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Although nearly all sediments were contaminated with Cd due to human activities, little potential existed for Cd toxicity in sediment-dwelling fauna.

Distributions and bioconcentration characteristics of perfluorinated compounds in environmental samples collected from the west coast of Korea.

As part of an ongoing study of the status and trends of contaminants in the Yellow Sea, during May of 2009, the concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were determined in water (n=15), sediment (n=12), soil (n=13), and biota (n=74) from estuarine and coastal areas along the west coast of Korea. Of the 12PFCs monitored, PFOS and PFOA were the most frequently detected compounds in water. Greater concentrations of PFCs were found in waters from the inner regions of sea dikes in three artificial lakes, Shihwa, Asan, and Sapgyo, than outer regions.

AhR-mediated potency of sediments and soils in estuarine and coastal areas of the Yellow Sea region: a comparison between Korea and China.

Extracts of sediments (n = 45) and soils (n = 37) collected from the coast of the Yellow Sea, in Korea and China, were screened for their ability to induce dioxin-like gene expression in vitro using the H4IIE-luc, transactivation bioassay. Significant dioxin-like potency was observed except for a few soils from Korea. Concentrations of TCDD-EQ (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents) in sediments were comparable between Korea and China, but concentrations of TCDD-EQ in soil were 2-fold greater from Korea.

Mercury in coastal watersheds along the Chinese Northern Bohai and Yellow Seas.

The concentration of total mercury [Hg] in waters, sediments and biota (carp and crabs) as well as the concentration of methyl mercury [MeHg] in biota from upstream (surface water systems) and downstream (coastal and estuarine systems) areas within coastal watersheds along the Chinese Northern Bohai and Yellow Seas were investigated. In most waters tested, the [Hg] could have adverse effects on coastal wildlife. Based on the Chinese water quality standards for mercury, 67% of upstream waters cannot be used for agriculture or recreation.

PAHs in surface sediments from coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and their risks in surface sediments (n = 35) collected from coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China, were investigated in 2008. Total concentrations of PAHs ranged from 52.3 to 1,870.

Two years after the Hebei Spirit oil spill: residual crude-derived hydrocarbons and potential AhR-mediated activities in coastal sediments.

The Hebei Spirit oil spill occurred in December 2007 approximately 10 km off the coast of Taean, South Korea, on the Yellow Sea. However, the exposure and potential effects remain largely unknown. A total of 50 surface and subsurface sediment samples were collected from 22 sampling locations at the spill site in order to determine the concentration, distribution, composition of residual crudes, and to evaluate the potential ecological risk after two years of oil exposure.

Transcriptional effects of perfluorinated compounds in rat hepatoma cells.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is the terminal degradation product of many commercially used perfluorinated compounds, and most of the toxicity testing to date has focused on its potential biological effects. While PFOS has been extensively studied, other PFCs including replacement chemicals such as perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) and perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA), have not been well characterized. Despite the relative lack of data available on these other PFCs it has been assumed that they will cause similar or lesser effects than PFOS.

Perfluorinated compounds in a coastal industrial area of Tianjin, China.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFC) in water, sediment, soil, and biota from the coastal industrial area of Tianjin, China, were measured to provide baseline information and to determine possible sources and potential risk to wildlife. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant PFC with maximum concentrations of 10 ng/L in water, and 4.3, 9.

Perfluorinated compounds in estuarine and coastal areas of north Bohai Sea, China.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water, sediment, soil, and biota collected from estuarine and coastal areas of the north Bohai Sea, China, were determined by use of HPLC-MS/MS. Significant concentrations of PFCs were found in water (mean: 18.4 ng/l) and biologic samples (fish: 265 ng/g dw), while concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were less.

Perfluorinated compounds in water, sediment and soil from Guanting Reservoir, China.

Concentrations of 12 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in 21 representive water, sediment and soil samples from Guanting Reservoir and vicinity. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the predominant PFCs with concentrations of 0.55-2.

Perfluorinated compounds in surface waters from Northern China: comparison to level of industrialization.

Inclusion of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) in the Stockholm Convention because of its exemptions, has resulted in increased annual production of PFOS-containing chemicals in China to accommodate domestic and overseas demands. Accordingly, concern about environmental contamination with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), such as PFOS, has arisen. However, little information is available on the status and trends in the distribution, sources or risk of PFCs in aquatic environments of China.

Sources and distribution of polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans in soil and sediment from the Yellow Sea region of China and Korea.

Polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were measured in soils and sediments from the Yellow Sea region. Korean soils and sediments mostly contained detectable PCDD/Fs and showed a widespread distribution among locations. Soil and sedimentary PCDD/Fs from China were comparable to or less than those in Korea.

Ecological risk assessment of arsenic and metals in sediments of coastal areas of northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China.

Distributions of arsenic and metals in surface sediments collected from the coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China, were investigated. An ecological risk assessment of arsenic and metals in the sediments was evaluated by three approaches: the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the degree of contamination, and two sets of SQGs indices. Sediments from the estuaries of the Wuli and Yalu Rivers contained some of the greatest concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, and zinc.

Perfluorinated compounds in water, sediment, soil and biota from estuarine and coastal areas of Korea.

Soil, sediment, water, and biota collected from the western coast of Korea were analyzed to determine occurrence and sources of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). PFCs were significantly concentrations of PFCs were measured in some water and biological samples, while concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were relatively low. The most widely detected compound was found to be perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), with a maximum concentration in water of 450 ng/L and in fish of 612 ng/g, dw.

HCH and DDT in sediments from marine and adjacent riverine areas of North Bohai Sea, China.

Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and their environmental risks in surface sediments collected from marine and adjacent riverine/estuarine areas in the northern Bohai Sea, China, were investigated. Concentrations of SigmaHCH and SigmaDDT in sediments ranged from below detection ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF