US EPA

5082157 

Journal Article 

Oxidative conversion of potential perfluoroalkyl acid precursors in Jiaozhou Bay and nearby rivers and sewage treatment plant effluent in China 

Wang, S; Cao, X; Zhang, H; Yang, Y; Zhang, M 

2018 

1 

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

136 

481-490 

English 

30509833 

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.045 

WOS:000450382900052 

Precursors that can be transformed into perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have not been investigated in detail. In this study, the levels of potential PFAA precursors in the Jiaozhou Bay, inflowing rivers, and STP (sewage treatment plant) effluents were investigated by converting all PFAA precursors into perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) by chemical oxidation. The significance of controlling PFAA precursors was indicated by the ratios of PFCAs converted by the oxidative treatment of precursors to PFAAs before oxidation (∑△[PFCAC4-C12]/∑[PFAA]before oxidation). The higher levels of △[PFCAC4-C12] (average = 18.89 ng/L) and lower ratios (∑△[PFCAC4-C12]/∑[PFAA]before oxidation, average = 0.21) were revealed in the STP effluents rather than in the water of the Jiaozhou Bay and rivers, which implied the precursors conversion during the sewage treatment process. The concentrations of △[PFCAs] and the aforementioned ratios showed apparent spatial and temporal differences. These results indicated that STPs were the important sources of precursors to other water bodies. 

Effluent; Oxidation; Perfluorinated; Perfluoroalkyl acid precursor; Qingdao city