Annual dynamics of perfluorinated compounds in sediment: A case study in the Morava River in Zlín district, Czech Republic

• Annual dynamics of PFCs in river sediment was assessed in an industrial area.
• PFC levels in sediment were up to 6.8 μg kg−1 dry weight.
• Mainly short-chain PFASs including PFOS were detected.
• The concentrations of detected PFCs were correlated with organic carbon content.
• Temporal changes in PFC concentrations were mainly due to episodic high flow events.

Two groups of perfluorined compounds (PFCs), i.e. perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFASs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) were analysed during a period of 1 year in monthly collected riverbed sediment samples from five sampling sites in an industrial region in Morava River catchment in Czech Republic. Levels of PFCs determined in sediment samples were up to 6.8 μg kg−1 of dry weight. Among PFCs analysed, mainly short-chain PFASs (C6 to C8) including PFOS were found in sediment samples and their levels were similar to those found in comparable river basins in other parts of Europe. Concentrations of PFCs were correlated with organic carbon content and their variations were mainly correlated by high flow events on Morava River and its tributaries. The changes in PFC concentrations were induced by displacing of PFCs containing particles to the river sediment during these elevated flow events.