Concentrations and Patterns of Pereluoroalkyl Acids in Georgia, USA Surface Waters Near and Distant to a Major Use Source

Concentrations and patterns of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in Georgia, USA surface waters near and distant to a major use source are assessed. Concentrations of measured PFAAs were highest in the Conasauga River, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) occurring at the highest mean concentration, followed by perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOS), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA). The highest PFOS concentrations observed were lower than the PFOS concentrations found in a Canadian creek after an accidental release of firefighting foam and in groundwater at a firefighting U.S. Air Force base in Michigan. The elevated PFOS concentrations were greater than those found in the Tennessee River in Alabama downstream of a manufacturing facility.