PFECA-substituted PFAS

Enhanced partitioning by suspended sediment

In the sediment-laden Yellow River, perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) exhibit a pronounced substitution trend, and suspended sediment acts as a dynamic trap that significantly enhances PFAS accumulation in sediments and benthic fish, offering a new analytical framework for source apportionment and driving mechanisms of trace organic contaminants in turbid river systems.

Li, Yanan · Li, Yawen · Pan, Yitao · He, Qiusheng · Huo, Lijuan · Cui, Yang · Zhang, Ke · Dai, Jiayin · Tang, Jianhui

Journal of Hazardous Materials 2026

Specifications

PFECA concentration before Wei River confluence

{'zh': '57.1', 'en': '57.1'} ng/L

PFECA concentration after Wei River confluence

{'zh': '329.9', 'en': '329.9'} ng/L

Water PFAS concentration (downstream start)

{'zh': '117.3', 'en': '117.3'} ng/L

Water PFAS concentration (downstream end)

{'zh': '289.3', 'en': '289.3'} ng/L

Sediment PFAS concentration

{'zh': '0.14', 'en': '0.14'} ng/g dw

Sediment PFAS concentration

{'zh': '2.07', 'en': '2.07'} ng/g dw

Fish PFAS concentration

{'zh': '3.71', 'en': '3.71'} ng/g dw

Fish PFAS concentration

{'zh': '61.8', 'en': '61.8'} ng/g dw

Advantages

Reveals PFAS distribution mechanisms in turbid rivers

Geographically weighted regression and Random Forest identified land-use patterns, industrial activities, and population density as dominant drivers of PFAS heterogeneity, offering a framework for source apportionment in similar turbid systems.

Clarifies PFECA substitution trend

After the Wei River confluence, PFECA levels surged from 57.1 to 329.9 ng/L, indicating rapid replacement of legacy PFAS by emerging substitutes and providing key data for risk assessment.

Suspended sediment enhances PFAS deposition

High suspended sediment load enhances PFAS partitioning to particles, especially in elevated hanging-river sections with fine particles and high organic matter, accelerating accumulation in sediment.

Identifies elevated risk for benthic fish

Elevated sedimentary PFAS levels increased exposure risks for benthic/filter-feeding fish inhabiting the lower water column, providing species-specific evidence for ecological risk assessment.

Applications

• Water environment monitoring：Optimize PFAS sampling and monitoring strategies using suspended sediment partitioning characteristics to improve detection reliability in turbid waters.
• Environmental pollutant sensing：Integrate machine learning-based pollution prediction models to provide region-specific parameters for sensor data calibration and early warning.
• Microplastic and pollutant analysis in water：Refer to PFAS co-partitioning with fine particles to guide combined analysis of microplastics and associated pollutants.
• Irrigation water quality safety：Assess bioavailability risks of pollutants in Yellow River irrigation water using PFAS partitioning data at the sediment-water interface.