Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Three-North Shelter Forest in northern China: First survey on the effects of forests on the behavior of PFAS

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2022-04, Vol.427, p.128157-128157, Article 128157
• Main Authors: Wang, Qi, Ruan, Yuefei, Zhao, Zhen, Zhang, Lu, Hua, Xia, Jin, Litao, Chen, Hao, Wang, Yu, Yao, Yiming, Lam, Paul K.S., Zhu, Lingyan, Sun, Hongwen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 8:2 FTOH; Air; China; Environmental Monitoring; Fluorocarbons - analysis; Forests; KOA; Leaves; Soil
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128157

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of anthropogenic chemicals, that have attracted increasing attention since the early 2000 s. Although forests have been shown to act as a filter and important sink for nonpolar persistent organic pollutants (POPs), relevant reports on PFAS are lacking. Air, soil, and leaf samples were collected inside and outside the forest from two regions of the Three-North Shelter Forest in northern China between 2017 and 2018. Twenty-seven PFAS were analyzed to study the effect of forest on the transport and fate of PFAS. The average ratios of PFAS in the air outside to inside the forest (Qair) ranged from 2.83 ± 0.78–10.6 ± 3.1. A significant positive correlation was found between Qair and the n-octanol−air partition coefficient of individual PFAS (p = 0.041). Higher Qair values for most ionic PFAS were found in broad-leaved forests than in coniferous forests. Soil samples outside the forests showed higher PFAS levels than those inside. The measured concentrations of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol, a volatile neutral PFAS, in leaf samples were two orders of magnitude higher than those estimated using the equilibrium leaf−air partition of nonpolar POPs, indicating that it may not fit the case of PFAS with surface activity. [Display omitted] •PFAS in air, soil, and leaf samples from the TNSF region were at low levels.•The effect of the forest on PFAS distributions was reported for the first time.•Lower PFAS levels were found in the air and soil inside the forests than outside.•KOA is an important factor in the removal of i-PFAS from the air in the forest.•Broad-leaved forests could remove more air borne i-PFAS than coniferous ones.