Pollution Characteristics Analysis and Risk Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Compounds (Pfass) in Caohai Lake

Abstract

AbstractsPer- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFASs), known as "persistent chemicals", are ubiquitous in the environment and pose a threat to the environment and human health because of their inherent chemical stability and toxicity. Promoting the development of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives is a top priority, however, the application of new compounds may bring new environmental problems, and strengthening environmental monitoring and risk assessment cannot be ignored. In this study, the content, distribution pattern and characteristics of PFASs in various environmental media such as surface water, bottom sediments, soil and mosses of lakes in the Caohai area were instrumentally detected and analyzed, and their ecological risks were scientifically assessed. The results showed that a wide range of PFASs including novel substitutes such as F-53B and ADONA were also widely present in the Caohai, which is in a non-industrial area, and showed a clear substitution effect of short-chain and novel PFASs. PFBA, PFOA, and F-53B were dominant in surface water; PFHxS, PFBA, and PFBS were dominant in bottom sediment; PFBA, F-53B, and PFPeA were the main detected substances in soil, whereas mosses had high concentrations of PFBA, F-53B, and PFHpA. PFBA has high accumulation in all media. In this study, the RQ value of PFASs < 0.01, and there was no significant environmental risk, but the long-term cumulative risk should not be ignored, and the ecological protection of the Caohai Lake still needs to be emphasized. The results of this study can help to understand the pollution level of PFASs in the wetland water system in the plateau area and provide data reference for environmental control such as PFASs pollution prevention and ecological management in Caohai.

Keywords: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, Occurrence level, Distribution characteristics, risk assessment