Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in the Surface Waters of China: A Meta-Analysis

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are recognized as persistent emerging pollutants worldwide, and long-term exposure will seriously harm natural ecosystems and human health. However, as the largest producer and consumer of fluorochemicals, China has limited research on the environmental fate and influencing factors of PFOA and PFOS in surface waters. To address this gap, a meta-analysis was conducted using 34 articles related to PFAS pollution in China’s surface waters, published between 2000 and 2023, selected from the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Existing investigations indicate that the average concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in the surface water from industrial areas in southeast China are 1615.17 ng/L and 8.41 ng/L, respectively, with industrial wastewater being the primary pollution source. Meanwhile, the analysis revealed that PFOA and PFOS concentrations are positively correlated with surface water pH but negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon of sediment, and salinity. Additionally, monitoring data show that PFOA/PFOS pollution levels in European countries have declined since 2015, which is attributed to restrictive measures on the usage of PFAS. In conclusion, this study provides a scientific basis for developing PFOA/PFOS pollution control and management strategies for surface water in China.