Fate, distribution, and contrasting temporal trends of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Lake Ontario, Canada

Myers, AL; Crozier, PW; Helm, PA; Brimacombe, C; Furdui, VI; Reiner, EJ; Burniston, D; Marvin, CH

HERO ID

2024727

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

22406021

HERO ID 2024727
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Fate, distribution, and contrasting temporal trends of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Lake Ontario, Canada
Authors Myers, AL; Crozier, PW; Helm, PA; Brimacombe, C; Furdui, VI; Reiner, EJ; Burniston, D; Marvin, CH
Journal Environment International
Volume 44
Issue 1
Page Numbers 92-99
Abstract Lake Ontario water and sediment collected from tributary, nearshore, and open lake sites were analyzed for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), namely perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, F(CF(2))(n)CO(2)(-); n=6-11,13) and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs, F(CF(2))(n)SO(3)(-); n=6,8,10). Survey results of surface sediment and water indicated that shorter chained PFASs were predominant in and near urban/industrial area watersheds, while longer chained PFASs were predominant in fine-grained sediment from major depositional basins. Niagara River suspended solids (1981-2006) demonstrated temporal trends that may have been influenced by recent changes in North American production and use of PFASs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) reached a peak concentration in 2001 of 1.1 ng/g, followed by a decrease from 2001 to 2006 (half-life=9 years). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) increased from 2001 to 2006 (doubling time= 2 years) reaching a peak concentration of 0.80 ng/g. In contrast, three sediment cores from western, central, and eastern Lake Ontario showed increasing temporal trends to surface sediment for all PFASs. PFOA and PFOS concentrations increased from 1988 to 2004 (doubling time= ~ 4 years) in the western Lake Ontario core. The observed variations in temporal trends from different environmental compartments may be a result of the physico-chemical properties of PFASs, ongoing emissions, and the environmental transformation and degradation of PFAS precursor compounds.
Doi 10.1016/j.envint.2012.02.002
Pmid 22406021
Wosid WOS:000304745900012
Url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412012000347
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Perfluoroalkyl compounds; Lake Ontario; Sediment; Water; Temporal trends