Determination of background values of PFAS in representative soil samples in Germany
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and ever-growing class of chemicals that are widely used. Due to the strength of the C-F bond, they do not decompose but accumulate in the environment posing a risk for nature and humans alike. While the use of some PFAS, like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid (PFOS) is already regulated in the EU, new ‘precursor’ substances are used to replace them. However, these precursors may be equally harmful to the environment. In recent years, many ‘hot spot’ sites with high PFAS contaminations in the soils have been distinguished,but no German-wide background values have been determined yet. Knowing these background values is crucial to understand the degree of PFAS contamination, underpinning future regulatory decisions. 600 soil samples are freshly taken at different sites all over Germany. PFAS are extracted from all samples. The extracts are analysed using LC-MS/MS with 30 PFAS as target compounds.Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and ever-growing class of chemicals that are widely used. Due to the strength of the C-F bond, they do not decompose but accumulate in the environment posing a risk for nature and humans alike. While the use of some PFAS, like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid (PFOS) is already regulated in the EU, new ‘precursor’ substances are used to replace them. However, these precursors may be equally harmful to the environment. In recent years, many ‘hot spot’ sites with high PFAS contaminations in the soils have been distinguished,but no German-wide background values have been determined yet. Knowing these background values is crucial to understand the degree of PFAS contamination, underpinning future regulatory decisions. 600 soil samples are freshly taken at different sites all over Germany. PFAS are extracted from all samples. The extracts are analysed using LC-MS/MS with 30 PFAS as target compounds. Eluates are produced and analysed using targeted LC-MS/MS. To determine the amount of precursor substances not included in the targeted list, total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assays are performed with different approaches. Additionally, 50 samples taken at the same locations in 2012 are analysed to determine temporal trends of PFAS contamination. The determination of total extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) is planned for comparison. The aim of the project is to obtain a broad overview of the status and development of the PFAS contamination in soil in Germany. By the preparation and analysis of eluates, the leaching behaviour of the analytes and thereby their mobility in the environment is investigated, helping to understand the transport of PFAS from contaminated soil to water. The use of different TOP assay methods allows to compare their results and usability in routine analysis, thereby giving insights into the amount of PFAS contamination hidden to targeted analysis and helping inspire future analysis strategies. The future comparison of these results to EOF analysis may further underline this point. The large number of samples and the geographic distribution of the sampling is unprecedented in Germany and allows to determine high-risk sites and ‘hot spots’. In the future, the insights from the project may be used as a guide for the political regulation of uses of PFAS.…
Autor*innen: | Luisa Lamberta HantschkeORCiD |
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Koautor*innen: | Tanja Westphalen, Stephanie Kluge, Katja Kaminski, Juliane Scholl, Matthias KochORCiD, Christian Piechotta |
Dokumenttyp: | Posterpräsentation |
Veröffentlichungsform: | Präsentation |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2023 |
Organisationseinheit der BAM: | 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien |
1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien / 1.8 Umweltanalytik | |
DDC-Klassifikation: | Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik |
Freie Schlagwörter: | BBodSChV Background values; PFAS; Soil contamination |
Themenfelder/Aktivitätsfelder der BAM: | Umwelt |
Veranstaltung: | ANAKON23 |
Veranstaltungsort: | Vienna, Austria |
Beginndatum der Veranstaltung: | 11.04.2023 |
Enddatum der Veranstaltung: | 14.04.2023 |
Verfügbarkeit des Dokuments: | Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") |
Datum der Freischaltung: | 23.06.2023 |
Referierte Publikation: | Nein |