Presentation Information
[U08-04]Overlooked pollution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in sandy coastal environments: particle-driven fate and environmental implications
*Jianwei Dong1 (1.Nanjing Normal University)
Keywords:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs),Porewater,Particulate matters,Partition
Sandy beaches, characterized by high permeability and extensive global distribution, have long been overlooked as significant sinks for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) due to presumed low contamination levels. This study challenges this assumption by investigating the occurrence, distribution, and partitioning of PFASs across porewater, suspended particles, and sediments in diverse sandy beach environments of Shantou, China. Our results reveal unexpectedly high PFAA concentrations, with ranges of 1.70–33.1 ng/L in porewater, 0.20–7.53 ng/g in suspended particles, and 0.23–0.59 ng/g in sediments. PFOA emerged as the dominant compound across all phases, underscoring its persistence and mobility in sandy matrices. The high permeability of sandy sediments facilitated rapid PFAA infiltration into porewater, enhancing bioavailability to benthic organisms. Partition coefficients (logKp: 1.87–2.53) indicated stable water-sediment interactions, distinct from more dynamic systems like mangroves, highlighting the role of sandy coasts as hidden sinks for PFASs. Source analysis via PCA identified urban wastewater and industrial discharges as primary contributors, with atmospheric deposition influencing remote island sites. These findings underscore the ecological risks posed by PFAS accumulation in sandy coasts, particularly for benthic ecosystems, and emphasize the need to integrate permeable sediments into global PFAS management strategies.