PFAS in sediment – New accredited method and packs

As the need for monitoring and assessment of PFAS in different environmental matrices grows, sediments start to receive more attention. For example, PFAS was one of the contaminant groups that was studied in the recent government assignment for sediments RUFS (2019-2023) carried out by a number of Swedish authorities. As part of this assignment, a report was published by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management HAV (2024:4), reporting that PFAS was found in both lake and coastal top sediments. In April, the Swedish EPA (NV 2024a) published a new “industry list” for contaminated land, where PFAS was mentioned as an “industry specific” pollutant in sediments for 16 industrial segments. Moreover, PFAS is in focus in the ongoing Swe-EPA survey program (2023-2025) for sediments, alongside different PFAS contaminated sites and operations (NV, 2023).

PFAS in environmental monitoring

Concerning levels and composition in sediments the HAV (2024:4) report showed that the average sum of 35 PFAS (2.4 µg/kg DM; n=53) in top sediments from fresh waters, was significantly higher than that from coastal waters (1.1 µg/kg DM; n=82). PFOS was the most frequently found substance, but also C9-C14 PFCA (PFNA, PFDA etc), PFOSA and PFHxS were common. Also, investigations of offshore sediments from the Baltic Sea and the Swedish west coast (SGU, 2019) have shown the prevalence of PFOS and long PFCA, as well as PFOA. Total concentrations have varied between 1-25 µg/kg DM. The findings in these studies are comparable to a compilation of monitoring data (2000-2015) for areas with diffuse contamination (NV/LST, 2015). However, in sediments close to firefighting training sites the mean level of the dominant substance, PFOS, was 16 500 µg/kg DM (n=67). A recent finding is the detection of diPAP (e.g. 8:2 and 10:2) in sediments outside a number of Swedish pulp and paper mills, with concentrations summing up to 1100 µg/kg DM. In addition, diSAmPAP and different FOSAA compounds were found (NV/OrU, 2022). In the Tyrifjorden case in Norway, also related to paper industry, PFOS and PreFOS together with long-chained (8:2-14:2) FTS were observed (total PFAS up to 3500 µg/kg DM; NGI, 2018).

There is a limited number of guidelines and quality standards for sediment. Norwegian quality standards for PFOS (0.23/2.3 µg/kg DM; marine/fresh water) and PFOA (71/713 µg/kg DM; marine/fresh water) are frequently used. In Denmark, an EQS value of 13.5 μg/kg DM (5% OC) for PFOS has been derived for fresh water sediments (MST, 2023).

New packs for PFAS in sediment

Eurofins now introduces a new, market leading accredited method for sediments with low limits of quantification (LOQ). The limit for PFAS4, C10-C14 PFCA and a number of PreFOS are all at 0.03 µg/kg DM in line with the lowest LOQs for soil. Initially three packs are offered. Drying and milling of the sample is included, and the optimal sample weight is 250g (100g min unless very low DM content). The delivery time (TAT) is 10 working days together with an express option of 5 working days. The same 400 ml plastic jar as for soil can be used. Please see our online catalogue for more detailed information.

Links

Eurofins search engine
HAV (2024:4)
MST (2023)
NGI (2018)
NV/LST (2015)
NV/OrU (2022)
NV (2023)
NV (2024)
SGU (2019)

Contact Eurofins experts!

Questions about PFAS can be answered by our analytical advisory service, which can be reached via the customer support, 010-490 8110 or e-mail: sh-analys.miljo.se@etn.eurofins.com