Development and Applications of Novel DGT Passive Samplers for Measuring 12 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Natural Waters and Wastewaters

Extensive and long-term use of per- polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has caused their widespread distribution in aquatic systems. A new diffusive gradients thin-films (DGT) passive sampling method based on weak anion exchanger (WAX) binding layer is developed here for monitoring five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluoroalkanesulfonic (PFSAs) two PFASs (6:2 FTSA GenX) waters. Performance WAX-DGTs was independent environmental conditions, namely pH (3.03–8.96), ionic strength (1–500 mM), DOM content (4–30 mg L–1). Diffusion coefficients (D) the 12 gels were measured, 9 first time. Linear correlations between D chain lengths (CF2) established to obtain congener chemicals with similar functional group structure. The capacity WAX-DGT sampler at least 440 ?g per sampler, sufficient applications waters across a wide range conditions concentrations. Successful WAX DGT samplers wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) three rivers demonstrated that powerful tool monitoring, surveillance research these systems, can be extended wider suites PFs future.