Distribution and ecological risk assessment of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the coastal river, China

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 365; p. 143366
• Main Authors: Hou, Jinlong, Wang, Nan, Hu, Changqin, Yang, Lei, Yue, Xun, Li, Jin, Wang, Xiaocui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2024
• Subjects: Aquatic organisms; Ecological risk; Estuary; Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids; Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids; Ecological risk; Aquatic organisms; Estuary
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143366

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) enter surface waters through wastewater discharge and atmospheric deposition, accumulating within aquatic ecosystems and organisms, causing dysfunction or mortality. This study investigates the migration, sources and ecological risks of six PFCAs in the coastal Wulong River basin and the estuary along the eastern coast of China. The six PFCAs detected in the Wulong River included, at concentrations ranging from 17.36 to 57.92 ng/L. The distribution of PFCAs concentrations throughout the estuary were as follows: Northeast China (414.07 ng/L) > North China (325.97 ng/L) > East China (249.53 ng/L) > South China (63.61 ng/L), with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) being the dominant PFCA. Toxicity data was collected for all detected PFCAs and the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method was used to derive the predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) for all six PFCAs. The risk quotient (RQ) method showed that the risk posed to aquatic organisms in the river basin from all six PFCAs was relatively low (RQ < 1). However, joint probability curve (JPC) analysis revealed that the probability of perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) causing harm to 5% of aquatic species reached 41.13%. Considering the frequency of occurrence and persistence of PFCAs in aquatic environments, these findings indicate they have the potential to induce serious toxic effects on aquatic organisms.
[Display omitted]
•Six typical PFCAs in the Wulong River Basin and precipitation were reported.•Toxicity data were collected to derive the PNECs for six PFCAs.•The probability of exposure risk and aquatic ecological risk was established by JPC.•Risk assessment to aquatic species from six typical PFCAs in the rural river is low.