Distributions and bioconcentration characteristics of perfluorinated compounds in environmental samples collected from the west coast of Korea

Abstract

As part of an ongoing study of the status and trends of contaminants in the Yellow Sea, during May of 2009, the concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were determined in water (n=15), sediment (n=12), soil (n=13), and biota (n=74) from estuarine and coastal areas along the west coast of Korea. Of the 12PFCs monitored, PFOS and PFOA were the most frequently detected compounds in water. Greater concentrations of PFCs were found in waters from the inner regions of sea dikes in three artificial lakes, Shihwa, Asan, and Sapgyo, than outer regions. Concentrations were also comparable in two estuarine areas, which indicated that most PFCs in coastal areas originated from industrial and local regions and river water flowing through estuaries. Concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were generally less than limits of quantification and were generally less than those measured in biota. Compound-specific bioaccumulation of PFBS and PFOS had the greatest BCF values in crab, while in fish it was PFOS and PFDA, and in gastropods and bivalves it was PFHxS. Distributions of BCFs for PFOS in body-parts of crab showed the greatest values in soft tissues followed by shells and then legs. Distribution among tissues and organs of fishes was more variable than those observed for crab. When compared to a similar study conducted by our group in 2008, concentrations of PFCs in water samples were significantly less in 2009. However, there was little change in bioconcentration from sediments into benthic organisms. Finally, we conducted the assessment of potential adverse effects for PFCs on aquatic life by use of current and previous reported data.