You are here:
PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS IN THE CAPE FEAR DRAINAGE BASIN IN NORTH CAROLINA
Citation:
NAKAYAMA, S., M. J. STRYNAR, L. HELFANT, P. P. EGEGHY, X. YE, AND A. B. LINDSTROM. PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS IN THE CAPE FEAR DRAINAGE BASIN IN NORTH CAROLINA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Indianapolis, IN, 41(15):5271-5276, (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this task is to provide data and tools to support implementation of PM NAAQS. Specifically, this task will provide:
(1) Monitoring methods to determine compliance with NAAQS.
(2) Atmospheric chemistry models to enhance air quality models used for development, evaluation, and adjustment of State Implementation Plans (SIP).
(3) Receptor modeling tools and applications to identify sources contributing to air pollution in non-attainment areas to support development, evaluation, and adjustment of SIPs.
Description:
Concern over perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs), e.g., perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is due to a number of recent studies which show that the PFCs are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. Despite sustained interest in this topic, little information is available concerning the environmental distributions of the compounds. In this study, a new method was developed for the analysis of 10 target PFCs and its performance was examined in a systematic evaluation of the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina, USA. One hundred samples from 80 different locations were collected during the spring of 2006. Detectable levels of the target PFCs were found in all samples, with maximum PFOS at 132 ng/L, PFOA at 287 ng/L, perfluorononanoic acid (C9) at 194 ng/L, and perfluoroheptanoic acid (C7) at 329 ng/L. In general, the lowest concentrations of the PFCs were found in the smallest tributaries while the highest levels were found in middle reaches of the Drainage Basin. Variability of PFC concentrations suggests a series of source inputs throughout the Basin. Seventeen sample sites (22%) had PFOS concentrations greater than 43 ng/L, a conservative safe water concentration estimated to be protective of avian life. In addition, a total of 26 sites (32%) had PFOA concentrations above 40 ng/L.