Atmospheric perfluoroalkyl acid occurrence and isomer profiles in Beijing, China. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Jing; Jin, Hangbiao; Li, Li; Zhai, Zihan; Martin, Jonathan W.; Hu, Jianxin; Peng, Lin; Wu, Pengfei
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 255(2019)Part 1
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Perfluoroalkyl acids -- isomers -- Atmospheric occurrence -- Phase distribution -- Particle-associated fraction; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The airborne occurrence, isomer profiles, and phase distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and sulfonates (PFSAs), have received little scientific attention to date. Here we collected gaseous and particulate phase (PM2.5 ) samples in China, between June and November 2013, using alkalized annular denuders and downstream filters toavoid sampling artefacts associated with traditional air sampling. We analysed the concentrations of 18 linear PFAAs and the branched isomers of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Concentrations of total PFAAs were dominated by PFCAs, with a range of 6.6–610 pg/m 3 in the gaseous phase and 2.3–290 pg/m 3 in the particulate phase. Concentrations of total PFCAs were higher in summer than winter in both phases. Branched PFOA isomers accounted for 10–22% of total PFOA in the gaseous phase and 13–24% in the particulate phase, which is close to, but slightly lower than, their abundance in the commercial PFOA mixtures manufactured using the electrochemical fluorination (ECF) process. In contract, branched PFOS isomers accounted for 26-63% of total PFOS in the gaseous phase and 39-77% in the particulate phase, which is much higher than their abundance in commercial PFOS mixtures manufactured by ECF. Most PFCAs had mean particle-associated fractions ( Φ ) higher than 0.5. PFHxS had a much higher mean Φ (0.65) than linear PFOS (0.31). We hypothesise that PFAAs observed in Beijing air may originate from the local water bodies through processes such as aerosol generation, although transformation of precursors also contribute. Highlights: This is the first study of the atmospheric occurrence of PFAAs and their isomers. Alkalized annular denuders were used to collect gas and particle phase samples. This is the first report of the particle-associated fractions of PFAAs and their isomers. Abstract : Capsule: Atmospheric phase distribution of PFAAs and their isomers was investigated in China for the first time.