Perfluoroalkyl substances in the Maltese environment – (II) sediments, soils and groundwater.

The presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in sediments and groundwater on the Maltese Islands is reported here for the first time. Sediments and soil samples were collected from 24 sites and groundwater was collected from 10 boreholes. PFASs were extracted from water and solid samples using solid phase extraction. The extracts were then analysed using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem (UPLC-MS/MS). All sediment, soil and groundwater samples were contaminated with at least one PFAS. PFOS (<LOQ – 5.91 ng/g), PFOA (<LOQ – 0.58 ng/g) and PFDA (<LOQ – 1.05 ng/g) were the major PFASs being detected in 100% of the sediment and soil samples. Meanwhile PFOA (<LOD – 2.68 ng/L) was the PFAS detected in all groundwater samples. The concentrations of PFASs observed in groundwater on the Maltese Islands were below the parameters set by the Directive 98/83/EC. Unlabelled Image • Occurrence and distribution of 7 perfluoroalkyl substances in the Maltese soil, sediment and groundwater were investigated. • PFOS, PFOA and PFDA were the most abundant PFASs in soil and sediment with the highest PFAS concentration always being PFOS. • All PFAS analysed were found in groundwater with PFOA being the most abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]