Method for detecting and quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel method for detecting and quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) in an aquatic environment by combining passive sampling of the compounds with the Total Oxidable Precursors (TOP) oxidation method. Passive sampling allows for the calculation of average PFAS concentrations over several days or even weeks, while lowering the limits of quantification and reducing potential biases during the transport, storage, and pre-concentration of spot samples. Furthermore, the TOP method, which is based on the principle of oxidizing all perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), which are analyzable compounds, allows for a more comprehensive assessment of PFAS. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Claims

passive sampling includes a receiving phase (4) and a diffusive membrane (5).

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the passive sampling device is a POCIS device (10), said passive sampling complex comprises a receiving phase (15) interposed between two diffusive membranes (14, 16)

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the receiving phase (4, 15) is in the form of an agarose or polyacrylamide hydrogel or any other component containing specific binding sites adapted to the elements to be sampled, said sites being a copolymer of nonpolar divinylbenzene and polar N-vinylpyrrolidone (HLB), a weak anion exchange resin (WAX), a polymeric adsorptive resin (XAD) or any other component enabling the irreversible trapping of the compounds of interest under deployment conditions.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the diffusive membrane (5) is a polyacrylamide hydrogel crosslinked with an agarose derivative (APA), a polyacrylamide hydrogel crosslinked with bis-acrylamide (BIS), an agarose hydrogel (AGA), a filter membrane made of PES, polycarbonate, ceramic or any other component enabling the diffusion of the compounds of interest. [Fig. 1] FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 3 [Fig. 4] FIG. 4