Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg: Suspect Screening Reveals Point Source-Specific Patterns of Emerging and Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in German and Chinese Rivers

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07987
• Publication Date: 2022-04-21T16:03:01Z
• Authors: Hanna Joerss; Frank Menger; Jianhui Tang; Ralf Ebinghaus; Lutz Ahrens
• Keywords: Suspect

Only a few dozens of the several thousand existing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are monitored using conventional target analysis. This study employed suspect screening to examine patterns emerging novel PFAS in German Chinese river water affected by industrial point sources. In total, 86 were (tentatively) identified grouped into 18 structure categories. Homologue revealed distinct differences between fluoropolymer production sites two countries. Xiaoqing River Basin, C8 homologue was most prevalent compound series chlorinated perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (Cl-PFCAs) perfluoroalkylether (PFECAs). contrast, C6 shorter homologues dominant Alz River. indicates that phaseout long-chain compounds Europe their ongoing Asian countries also apply unregulated classes. Additional characteristics differentiate sources peak area ratio perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) versus hydro-substituted PFBS (H-PFBS) as well occurrence byproducts sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based polymer Nafion. The large number underlines importance grouping approach on regulatory level, whereas contamination can be used estimate, prioritize, minimize contributions specific