Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Western Mediterranean Sea waters

Brumovský, M; Karásková, P; Borghini, M; Nizzetto, L

HERO ID

3859602

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2016

Language

English

PMID

27314632

HERO ID 3859602
In Press No
Year 2016
Title Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Western Mediterranean Sea waters
Authors Brumovský, M; Karásková, P; Borghini, M; Nizzetto, L
Journal Chemosphere
Volume 159
Page Numbers 308-316
Abstract The spatial and temporal distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the open Western Mediterranean Sea waters was investigated in this study for the first time. In addition to surface water samples, a deep water sample (1390 m depth) collected in the center of the western basin was analyzed. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were detected in all samples and were the dominant PFASs found. The sum of PFAS concentrations (ΣPFASs) ranged 246-515 pg/L for surface water samples. PFASs in surface water had a relatively homogeneous distribution with levels similar to those previously measured in the Atlantic near the Strait of Gibraltar, in water masses feeding the inflow to the Mediterranean Sea. Higher concentrations of PFHxA, PFHpA and PFHxS were, however, found in the present study. Inflowing Atlantic water and river/coastal discharges are likely the major sources of PFASs to the Western Mediterranean basin. Slightly lower (factor of 2) ΣPFASs was found in the deep water sample (141 pg/L). Such a relatively high contamination of deep water is likely to be linked to recurring deep water renewal fed by downwelling events in the Gulf of Lion and/or Ligurian Sea.
Doi 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.015
Pmid 27314632
Wosid WOS:000380417800038
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Perfluoroalkyl substances; Polyfluoroalkyl substances; Mediterranean Sea; Surface water
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