Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater in Thailand: occurrence, source identification and spatial distribution

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have the potential to leach into groundwater, particularly in areas with pollution sources, such as landfills. The composition distribution of per- substances, well soil characteristics, are useful for identifying sources substances. objectives present study were characterise substance levels groundwater Thailand, identify their highlight spatial distribution. Groundwater samples collected hosting municipal industrial waste disposal sites. Seven extracted from using solid-phase extraction technique analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These contain mostly perfluorooctanoic acid perfluorooctane sulfonate, highest concentrations 34.96 25.88 ng L –1 , respectively, obtained site areas. presence perfluorohexane sulfonate most suggests its usage a substitute sulfonate-based products. In addition disposal, hierarchical cluster analysis reveals that other likely influence Thailand. Livestock farming ponds near wells probably impact associated groundwater. shows characteristics interactions between negatively charged components cations soils significantly contamination studied.