Perfluorinated compounds in water, sediment, soil and biota from estuarine and coastal areas of Korea.
Soil, sediment, water, and biota collected from the western coast of Korea were analyzed to determine occurrence and sources of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). PFCs were significantly concentrations of PFCs were measured in some water and biological samples, while concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were relatively low. The most widely detected compound was found to be perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), with a maximum concentration in water of 450 ng/L and in fish of 612 ng/g, dw. PFOS concentrations in water and biota were both less than those thought to cause toxicity. However, in both cases concentrations were within a factor of 10 of the toxicity threshold concentration. Concentrations of PFCs were significantly greater downstream than those upstream on the same river, suggesting point sources. Overall, the detection of PFCs at relatively great concentrations in various environmental matrixes from this region of Korea suggests that further studies characterizing PFCs and their potential risk to both humans and wildlife are needed.
Naile
Jonathan E
JE
Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Khim
Jong Seong
JS
Wang
Tieyu
T
Chen
Chunli
C
Luo
Wei
W
Kwon
Bong-Oh
BO
Park
Jinsoon
J
Koh
Chul-Hwan
CH
Jones
Paul D
PD
Lu
Yonglong
Y
Giesy
John P
JP
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid