title: Isomer profiles of perfluoroalkyl substances in water and soil surrounding a chinese fluorochemical manufacturing park.
abstract: Despite that China is the largest global manufacturer of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), the manufacturing methods and isomer purity of these chemicals are generally unknown. Here, sampling was conducted around a major fluorochemical manufacturing park in China in 2012, including soil and water collection inside the park, including from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), as well as in surrounding rivers and soil (∼15 km radius). Perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) were lower than perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) in all samples, and short-chain (C4-C6) PFCAs were predominant. Perfluoroalkyl phosphonates and phosphate diesters were occasionally detected, but at low detection frequency. Branched isomers of perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) are reported for the first time, accounting for 15-27% of total PFBS in water. An enrichment of isopropyl-PFOA (28%) was found in WWTP influent, suggesting its manufacturing primarily by isopropyl telomerization. More numerous branched isomers were observed for the longer C9-C13 PFCAs (e.g., C12 PFCA had 16 branched isomers), including high proportions of one major branched isomer (likely isopropyl), possibly as impurities from isopropyl-PFOA manufacturing. Overall, short-chain perfluorinated acids were the predominant PFASs being released, but PFOA was still a major chemical in use at this site, primarily from isopropyl telomerization.
authors: †Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. China.|‡Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
authors: Hangbiao
authors: H
authors: Jin
authors: †Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. China.|‡Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
authors: Yifeng
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: †Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. China.
authors: Lingyan
authors: L
authors: Zhu
authors: ‡Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
authors: Jonathan W
authors: JW
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D000476:Alkanesulfonates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002681:China; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007221:Industry; D007536:Isomerism; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000476:Alkanesulfonates; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C108042:perfluorobutane