Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Bay of Marseille (NW Mediterranean Sea) and the Rhone River

[摘要] Four perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were analyzed in 62 duplicate surface water samples from the Rhone River and Marseille Bay (France; NW Mediterranean Sea). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was detected in all samples and exceeded the European Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) values in over 80% of the cases. The most contaminated samples were from the Rhone River (up to 200 ng L-1 Sigma(4) PFAS), as well as those collected near a wastewater treatment plant outlet in Marseille Bay (up to 9 ng L-1 Sigma(4) PFAS). While PFOS was the predominant PFAS in Marseille Bay, remarkably high concentrations of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) were measured in the Rhone River (8-193 ng L-1). The relative abundances of individual compounds differed thus significantly between the Rhone River and Marseille Bay, indicating different sources. A simulation made with the MARS3D model showed that PFOS inputs from the Rhone River can enter Marseille Bay at levels > EQS.

[发布日期] 2019-12-01

[关键词] Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS);Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA);Environmental Quality Standard;Surface water pollution;Mediterranean Sea