24th Pacific Science Congress (PSC-24)

In coastal “hyper-development” regions, the environmental pollution characteristics of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances  often reflects decades of rapid industrialization. As the fluorochemical industry has evolved, its corresponding emission profiles have shifted, with different manufacturing processes and developmental stages releasing distinct types of PFAS.  This study aims to address this gap through systematic analysis of sediment cores from Shenzhen's coastal zone. The isotopic dating was used to establish a precise chronological framework. And then the concentrations  of 40 PFAS were analyzed to examine their spatiotemporal distribution trends, to construct a high-resolution pollution history profile. The profile was interpreted in conjunction with key physicochemical parameters to investigate PFAS enrichment and preservation mechanisms. Then the spatiotemporal trends and compositional changes of PFAS were coupled to the historical development of fluorochemical industry. By analyzing the coupling mechanism, this study provide a robust scientific foundation for developing practical environmental regulatory measures and offer critical insights for the sustainable development of fluorochemical industry.
 

PFAS; Sediment Core; Pollution History; Fluorochemical Industry