US EPA

2325319 

Journal Article 

Sources of polyfluoroalkyl compounds in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Norwegian Sea: Evidence from their spatial distribution in surface water 

Ahrens, L; Gerwinski, W; Theobald, N; Ebinghaus, R 

2010 

1 

Marine Pollution Bulletin
ISSN: 0025-326X
EISSN: 1879-3363 

Elsevier Science, P.O. Box 800 Kidlington Oxford OX5 1DX UK 

60 

2 

255-260 

English 

19818459 

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.09.013 

WOS:000275592100023 

The spatial distribution of 15 polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in surface water was investigated in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Norwegian Sea. In addition, an interlaboratory comparison of the sampling techniques and analysis was conducted. Highest concentration in the North Sea was found near the coast, whereas the summation operatorPFC concentration decreased rapidly from 18.4 to 0.07 ng l(-1) towards the open North Sea. The river Elbe could identify as a local input source for PFCs into the North Sea, whereas perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was transported into the sampling area with the easterly current. In contrast to the North Sea, the distribution of PFCs in the Baltic Sea was relatively homogenous, where diffuse sources dominated. In general, the composition profile was influenced from local sources caused by human activities, whereas atmospheric depositions of here analysed PFCs were negligible, but it could have possibly an influence on low contaminated sites like the open North Sea or Norwegian Sea. 

PFCs; Surface water; Spatial distribution; Interlaboratory comparison; LC-MS/MS