Perfluorinated compounds in sediment samples from the wastewater canal of Pančevo (Serbia) industrial area

Perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) were analyzed in sediment samples from the wastewater canal draining the industrial complex of Pančevo, Serbia (oil refinery, petrochemical plant, and fertilizer factory). The canal is directly connected to Europe’s second largest river, the Danube, which drains its water into the Black Sea. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) up to 5.7 ng g−1 dry weight (dw) and total Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) up to 6.3 ng g−1 dw were detected. Compared to other reports, high levels of PFOS were found, even though PFCs are not used in the industrial production associated with this canal. The PFOS concentration in water was recalculated using the adsorption coefficient, KOC from literature. Using the average output of wastewater from the canal, a mass load of 1.38 kg PFOS per year discharged in the Danube River has been calculated, which undoubtedly points to the contribution to global persistent organic pollution of surface waters originating from this industrial place.

► This is the first report of the presence of PFCs in the samples from Serbia.
► PFOS up to 5.7 ng g−1 dw and total PFCs up to 6.3 ng g−1 dw were detected.
► Compared to other worldwide reports high levels of PFOS were found in the sediment.
► A mass load of 1.38 kg year−1 PFOS discharged in Danube River has been calculated.
► Our work contributes to identification of PFCs pollution of the Danube River Basin.