Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in rivers of southern India: Spatial distribution, sources, and ecotoxicological and human health risk assessments
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Peer-reviewed scientific article |
| Magazine / Source | Environmental Pollution |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749126005014 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128131 |
| Keywords | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFASs; Surface water; Groundwater; Sources apportionment; Risk assessment; Risk assessment |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in diverse industrial and consumer applications. In this study, we investigated 16 PFASs in waters along urban and suburban/rural transects of seven major rivers in southern India. The selected PFASs were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The mean & sum;(16)PFAS concentration in river water along the urban transect (96.9 +/- 84.8 ng/L) was about sevenfold higher than that in the suburban/rural transect (13.5 +/- 22.2 ng/L). Source apportionment using compositional profiles, statistical models, and diagnostic ratios revealed domestic and commercial wastewater as the major contributors, along with agricultural surface runoff, landfill leachate, and atmospheric inputs. Overall, short-chain (SC) perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids were more abundant in urban transects, while SC-perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids were relatively higher in suburban/rural transects. This pattern suggests increasing use and environmental persistence of SC-PFASs as replacements for long-chain compounds. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) showed strong and significant correlations (R-2 > 0.8; p < 0.01) with SC-PFASs due to their weaker sorption affinity for particulate matter and higher solubility compared to long-chain (LC) PFASs. A low ecotoxicological risk from exposure to PFOA, PFDA, and PFOS was observed for daphnids, and from PFOA for mysids, at selected sites. Furthermore, PFOS concentrations in the present study exceeded the European Union Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) for inland surface waters (0.65 ng/L) at over 80% of sites in the urban transect and at approximately 50% of sites in suburban/rural transects, indicating potential concern for aquatic ecosystems in urban-influenced areas. Human risk quotients indicate low risk; however, chronic exposure may still lead to accumulation over time. |
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