The fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances within a melting snowpack of a boreal forest

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroallcyl substances (PFAS) were measured systematically in a snowpack in northern Sweden to determine chemical behaviour during seasonal melt. Average PFAS concentrations were generally low, but displayed a wide range with median (range) concentrations of PFOA and PFOS of 66.5 pg L-1 (ND-122) and 20.5 pg L-1 (2.60-253) respectively. Average concentrations of the shorter chain, C4 and C5 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), were similar to 10-fold higher. Differences in the PFAS concentrations and profile were observed between surface snow and deeper layers, with evidence of PFAS migration to deeper snow layers as melt progressed. Chemical loads (ng m(-2)) for C4-9 PFCAs decreased gradually as melt progressed, but increased for C-4, C6-8 PFSAs and the longer chain C10-12 PFCAs. This enrichment in the diminishing snowpack is an unusual phenomenon that will affect PFAS elution with meltwater and subsequent entry to catchment surface waters. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs); Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS); Snow; Fate; Atmospheric deposition

Published in

Environmental Pollution
2014, volume: 191, pages: 190-198
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Ahrens, Lutz

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wiberg, Karin

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Laudon, Hjalmar

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG3 Good health and well-being
SDG6 Clean water and sanitation

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.04.032

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/60428