PFAS in recipient sediment of a military airport

Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFASs, are highly fluorinated substances where the carbon chain is fully- or partly fluorinated. A functional group is coupled at the end of the carbon chain which gives PFASs their different properties. PFASs have been used in aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) to decrease the surface tension of water and form a film on the fuel surfaces. AFFF is one of the main sources of PFASs pollution in the environment. A previous study has shown high PFASs concentrations in surface water in Lake Vänern. This study has analysed PFASs in sediment samples. The main detected PFASs was perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS, with concentrations below limit of detection to 51700 pg/g wet weight (ww). The compound detected in the highest concentration in Vissbäcken was PFOS at 7290 pg/g ww, this was followed by 6:2 fluorotelomersulfonate , 6:2FTS, at 516 pg/g ww. In outlet 4 (utlopp 4), PFOS had the highest concentration at 51800 pg/g ww, followed by perfluorohexane sulfonate, PFHxS, at 1790 pg/g ww. The only detected compound in the sediment cores was PFOS with approximately 100 pg/g ww. The high concentration of PFOS might be due to extensive use with subsequent release of firefighting foam in the area and degradation of other PFAS substances into PFOS.