Source apportionment of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in sediments: using three multivariate factor analysis
Jian Xu1, Ying-Ze Tian, Yuan Zhang
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|July 2, 2013
Summary
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in Dianchi Lake sediments were analyzed, revealing PFOS and PFOA as major contributors. Hierarchical cluster analysis and source apportionment models identified two primary sources for these persistent pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are persistent environmental pollutants.
- Understanding PFCs levels, distribution, and sources in aquatic sediments is crucial for environmental management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the concentrations, spatial distribution, and sources of ten PFCs in Dianchi Lake sediments.
- To identify the main contributing sources of PFCs in the studied sediment samples.
Main Methods:
- Sediment samples were collected from Dianchi Lake.
- Ten PFCs were quantified using analytical techniques.
- Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to analyze spatial variations and potential origins.
- Source apportionment models including PCA-MLR, PMF, and Unmix were employed for quantitative analysis.
Main Results:
- Total PFCs concentrations ranged from 0.21 to 2.45 ng g(-1)dw, with an average of 0.95 ng g(-1)dw.
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the most abundant PFCs.
- HCA identified two main clusters, suggesting distinct sources.
- Source apportionment models consistently indicated PFOS- and PFOA-related factors as the primary sources, contributing approximately 43-54% and 44-54% respectively.
Conclusions:
- PFOS and PFOA are significant contributors to PFC contamination in Dianchi Lake sediments.
- The study successfully identified and quantified the contributions of major PFC sources.
- The applied methodologies provide a robust framework for future PFC source apportionment studies in aquatic environments.
