Open Access

In this project a sum parameter approach (extractable organic fluorine, EOF) is used to monitor a broad spectrum of PFAS in surface water. Herein, high resolution continuum source molecular adsorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) is employed for fast and sensitive measurements. An environmental study was carried out on the River Spree. Samples were collected over the course of one year to allow a more detailed look into seasonal changes. Following this, a range of options are being investigated with a view to removing PFAS from the environment regarding water samples. Potential adsorber materials are explored based on Graphene (in cooperation with the Haag-Group) and COFs (in cooperation with the Emmerling-Group). Initial experiments were performed, and the preliminary results are presented. Furthermore, experiments for PFAS adsorption are being improved and PFAS specific adsorption will be analyzed. Sum Parameter approaches have the chance to identify Hot-Spots in the environment and to cover a broad range of PFAS in a single measurement. Moreover, an overview of the environmental pollution is provided.

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental pollutants of concern regarding their persistency and bioaccumulation properties and impact on human health. Due to the wide range of existing physicochemical properties of PFAS molecules it is difficult to detect all compounds with one single method. In Target Analysis missing analytical standards poses a problem. Additional measurement time and manual effort for data assessment create difficulties in Non-Target Screening. Within our study complementary sum parameter tools (extractable organic fluorine, EOF) were developed as a fast-screening tool for river water samples. Through a long-term study of River Spree, we receive insights into the pollution situation regarding organic fluorinated compounds and organic trace substances. EOF measurements and subsequent complementary Target and Non-Target PFAS analysis give a more detailed insight into the environmental pollution situation with fluorinated compounds. Correlation assessment between fluorinated organic compounds and organic trace substances was conducted. The idea here was that, in the event of a correlation, it would be possible to infer exposure to PFAS from exposure to organic pollutants. Correlation tests showed increase of fluorinated compounds are coming with an increase of organic trace substances. However, the influence of season and weather leads to inconsistency of the significance of the correlation. Therefore, this study provides EOF as a Hot-Spot Screening Tool, shows the importance for improvement of analytical methods for PFAS detection and underlines the importance of long-term environmental studies as the time of sampling has an impact on their concentration.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known for their high chemical stability and persistence. They have the potential to bioaccumulate in organisms. Moreover, PFAS are environmental contaminants of concern due to their ubiquitous appearance in the environment. Consequently, there is a demand to develop and optimize new methods for analyzing these substances. In this project a comprehensive investigation of the pollution situation of the entire River Spree was performed. The sum parameter approach (extractable organic fluorine, EOF) is used to monitor a broad spectrum of PFAS in surface water. Herein, high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular adsorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) is employed for fast and sensitive measurements. The occurrence and fate of PFAS are detected with complementary target and non-target screening. Hot spots as well as seasonal aspects with influence on the pollution situation on the river were detected. Moreover, the correlation to other organic pollutants was investigated via statistical analysis. The question arises if routine organic trace substance monitoring can provide information about PFAS contamination.