Distribution characteristics of perfluorinated compounds in major river water and sediment

We have developed analysis method of PFCs in river water and sediment, and determined seven species of PFCs such as PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA and PFDA. Water and sediment samples were collected from 21 and 13 different sites along the Nakdong, Seomjin and Nam River, respectively. The water samples were pretreated with HLB cartridge and sediment samples were concentrated after extracted by sonication, and the levels of PFCs were determined by LC-MS/MS. The coefficient of determination (R-2) values of calibration curves were higher than 0.99. The method detection limits ranged 0.09 similar to 0.63 ng/L in water and 0.013 similar to 0.020 ng/g in sediment. The recovery rates of PFCs was found to be 74 similar to 98% for water and 87 similar to 111% for sediment. PFOA was the major species in water samples and followed by PFHpA and PFOS. In sediment, PFOA, PFOS and PFDA showed similar levels. Both water and sediment samples collected from the Nakdong River showed the highest concentrations of PFCs among the three rivers.