High resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer during a molecular absorption measurement
Source: BAM, Inorganic Trace Analysis division
Forever chemicals is the name given to the class of compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), because they are chemically and physically inert and, once released into the environment, remain there unchanged for many years. In addition, they are bioaccumulative and are associated with various diseases. Therefore, monitoring of this substance class is necessary in order to identify PFAS entry pathways and hotspots and thus to initiate appropriate prevention and remediation measures.
The monitoring of such a complex and dynamic substance class - more than 6000 individual compounds in growing diversity - poses an (unsolvable?) challenge for target analysis. However, for a quick overview, comprehensive monitoring and identification of hotspots, the commonality of all these compounds - organically bound fluorine - can be exploited. Fluorine-selective detection techniques such as molecular absorption by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) in combination with suitable extraction methods can thus quantify the fraction of extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF).
In the publication presented here, Simon & Gehrenkemper et al. describe an optimized fast and simple extraction method for the quantification of PFAS contamination in soil samples, which, unlike previous sample preparations, does not require an expensive and time-consuming solid-phase extraction. This optimized extraction method can become a valuable tool for future PFAS monitoring and the development of urgent regulatory limits.
A fast and simple PFAS extraction method utilizing HR–CS–GFMAS for soil samples
Fabian Simon, Lennart Gehrenkemper, Marcus von der Au, Phillip Wittwer, Philipp Roesch, Jens Pfeifer, Antje Cossmer, Björn Meermann
published in Chemosphere, Vol. 133922, article no. 133922, pages 1-9, 2022.
BAM Inorganic Trace Analysis division