US EPA

3981243 

Journal Article 

Vertical profiles, sources, and transport of PFASs in the Arctic Ocean 

Yeung, LWY; Dassuncao, C; Mabury, S; Sunderland, EM; Zhang, X; Lohmann, R 

2017 

1 

Environmental Science & Technology
ISSN: 0013-936X
EISSN: 1520-5851 

51 

12 

6735-6744 

English 

28513149 

10.1021/acs.est.7b00788 

WOS:000404087400013 

is supplemented by 4442174 : Supporting information

The relative importance of atmospheric versus oceanic transport for poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) reaching the Arctic Ocean is not well understood. Vertical profiles from the Central Arctic Ocean and shelf water, snow and meltwater samples were collected in 2012; 13 PFASs (C6-C12 PFCAs; C6, 8, 10 PFSAs; MeFOSAA and EtFOSAA; and FOSA) were routinely detected (range: <5-343 pg/L). PFASs were only detectable above 150 m depth in the polar mixed layer (PML) and halocline. Enhanced concentrations were observed in snow and meltpond samples, implying atmospheric deposition as an important source of PFASs. Model results suggested atmospheric inputs to account for 34-59% (∼11-19 pg/L) of measured PFOA concentrations in the PML (mean 32 ± 15 pg/L). Modeled surface and halocline measurements for PFOS based on North Atlantic inflow (11-36 pg/L) agreed with measurements (mean, 17, range <5-41 pg/L). Modeled deep water concentrations below 200 m (5-15 pg/L) were slightly higher than measurements (<5 pg/L), suggesting the lower bound of PFAS emissions estimates from wastewater and rivers may provide the best estimate of inputs to the Arctic. Despite low concentrations in deep water, this reservoir is expected to contain most of the PFOS mass in the Arctic (63-180 Mg) and is projected to continue increasing to 2038.