Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Spatial distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids in surface sediments of the German Bight, North Sea
Zhao, Z.; Xie, Z.; Tang, J.; Zhang, G.; Ebinghaus, R. (2015). Spatial distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids in surface sediments of the German Bight, North Sea. Sci. Total Environ. 511: 145-152. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.12.063
In: Science of the Total Environment. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0048-9697; e-ISSN 1879-1026, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Perfluoroalkyl acids; Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; Surface sediment; German Bight

Authors  Top 
  • Zhao, Z.
  • Xie, Z.
  • Tang, J.
  • Zhang, G.
  • Ebinghaus, R., more

Abstract
    Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been determined in the environment globally. However, studies on the occurrence of PFAAs in marine sediment remain limited. In this study, 16 PFAAs are investigated in surface sediments from the German Bight, which provided a good overview of the spatial distribution. The concentrations of ΣPFAAs ranged from 0.056 to 7.4 ng/g dry weight. The highest concentration was found at the estuary of the River Ems, which might be the result of local discharge source. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the dominant compound, and the enrichment of PFOS in sediment might be strongly related to the compound structure itself. The geographical condition of the German Bight influenced the movement of water and sediment, resulting in complex distribution. Following normalization according to total organic carbon (TOC) content, PFAA distributions showed a different picture. Significant linear relationships were found between total PFAA concentrations and TOC (R2 = 0.50, p < 0.01). Compared with a previous study conducted in the same area, a declining trend was presented for the concentrations of PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Compound structure, geographical condition, and organic carbon in the sediment influence the distribution of PFAAs in the German Bight. Environmental risk assessment indicated that the risk from PFOA is negligible, whereas PFOS in marine sediment may present a risk for benthic organisms in the German Bight.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors