Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the major rivers of Korea: Distribution in the environment and bioaccumulation in crucian carp fish

The concentration of thirteen PFASs in water (n = 21), sediment (n = 21) and crucian carp fish muscle samples (n = 57) collected from three major rivers of Korea, including Namhan River, Yeongsan River and Nakdong River in June 2019 were determined to assess the potential risk of PFASs to aquatic life using bio-accumulation factor (BAF). The mean PFASs concentration in water (ng/L) were in order Nakdong River (69.63) > Yeongsan River (51.47) > Namhan River (13.30). The detection frequency rate of the long-chain PFASs, include PFHxA, PFOA and PFOS were high in river water samples. The PFASs in sediment samples were observed at low concentrations (<2 ng/g dw) in three rivers. The sediment/water partition coefficient (K_d) values of PFHpA were greatest in three rivers. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of PFHxA, PFUnDA and PFHpA were dominant in crucian carp fish samples. However, all the BAF levels for the carp samples were found to be <2000 (L/kg). Although the BAF values in crucian carp fish did not exceed the bioaccumulative level, several high long-chain PFASs concentrations were observed in water samples from surrounding hotspot sampling sites in Nakdong and Yeongsan River. Further study and monitoring of PFASs in various fish species and/or trophic level investigations are necessary to assess the impact of these pollutants on the river ecosystems.