Spatial and vertical distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the water columns of the regional seas of South Korea

This study focused on analyzing the spatial and vertical distributions of 28 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which comprised five precursors and three alternatives, in the water columns of the regional seas surrounding South Korea, such as the Yellow Sea (YS, Y1-Y10), East China Sea (ECS, EC1-EC6), South Sea (SS, S1-S5), and East Sea (ES, E1-E7). The concentrations of these PFASs detected in 204 seawater samples varied from below the limit of detection (<LOD) to 17 ng L^-1 in the YS, 0.26-17 ng L^-1 in the ECS, 0.08-3.4 ng L^-1 in the SS, and <LOD to 1.4 ng L^-1 in the ES, with perfluorooctanoic acid being identified as the most abundant compound. Principal component analysis grouped water masses and regions based on PFASs concentrations and compositions, enabling the identification of PFASs sources and their fate. PFASs are mainly derived from land and are transported via ocean currents, where their compositions tend to remain conservative. PFASs entering the YS are likely conveyed to the ES through ECS and SS, following the northward movement of the Taiwan Warm Current and Kuroshio Current. The ECS serves as a mixing zone for PFASs from various sources. This study provides valuable baseline data for understanding PFASs transport and the characteristics of water masses in the regional seas around South Korea.