Occurrence, region-specific distribution and potential source of legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in grassland soils from remote pastoral areas, China

Abstract

The globally concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were widely detected in the environment, yet their environmental occurrences and behaviors remain elusive in the grassland soils. In this study, the region-specific distributions, sources and potential ecological risk of 31 legacy and novel PFASs were investigated in 74 grassland soils from Xilingol League, China. The 20 out of 31 PFASs were detected with the detection frequencies > 50%, and the total concentrations of 31 PFASs were in the range of 263.7–16795.8 pg/g dry weight (d.w.). The novel PFASs were the dominant congeners, followed by legacy PFASs and PFAS precursors, indicating the widespread contamination of novel PFASs in the grassland soils. Elevated PFAS concentrations were detected in the soils adjacent to the industrial and urban areas. Industrial, fire-fighting and household activities, and long-range atmospheric transport were discovered as the main sources of PFASs in the grassland soils from Xilingol League. The calculated risk quotient values (< 0.01) only indicated the low ecological risk of 12 target PFASs in the grassland soils. Our work enriches the data of PFAS contamination in the grassland soils, which provides the critical reference for the implementation of Action Plan on Controlling New Pollutants in China.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances / Region-specific distributions / Source appointment / Ecological risk assessment / Grassland soils

Highlight

	● 31 legacy and novel PFASs were analyzed in 74 grassland soils from pastoral area.
	● High PFAS concentrations were detected in soils closed to industrial and urban areas.
	● Concentrations of novel PFASs exceeded those of legacy PFASs in grassland soils.
	● HFPO-DA and N-MeFOSA predominated in novel PFASs and PFAS precursors, respectively.
	● Industrial, fire-fighting and household activities, and atmosphere were main sources of PFASs.

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