UHPLC–MS/MS-Based Multiresidue Determination of PFAS in Marine Matrices

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting, widely spread pollutants found in marine environments that can build up over time and pose risks to ecosystems. However, measuring them in seawater, sediment, and suspended particles is difficult because of high salt levels and complex sample mixtures, and existing methods often struggle to capture a wide range of compounds accurately. To address this, a joint study conducted by researchers at the Guangdong University of Technology and the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (both in China) developed an improved analytical approach to measure 30 different PFAS compounds across multiple marine samples. They refined sample preparation methods for each type of material—optimizing extraction steps for seawater, sediment, and suspended particles—and then used ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) to detect the compounds. A paper based on their work was published in Marine Pollution Bulletin.¹

What Are the Challenges Involved with Measuring PFAS in the Environment?

Developing reliable methods to measure PFAS in the environment requires carefully adjusting how samples are prepared, since different materials like water, sediment, and suspended particles behave differently. The choice of materials used to trap PFAS, the acidity of the samples, and the washing and extraction steps all affect how well these chemicals can be captured and measured. For solid samples like sediment, factors such as how much sample is used and which solvents are applied are also important to ensure good extraction and reduce interference from other substances. If these conditions are not well optimized, results can become less accurate or unreliable.^2-6

How Can PFAS Pollutants Be Accurately Measured in Different Marine Environments?

To determine how PFAS pollutants are distributed and behave in seawater, sediment, and suspended particles, the researchers improved and adjusted testing methods so they could measure 30 different PFAS compounds at the same time in these different environmental samples. They refined how samples are prepared for each type of material, carefully adjusting steps like how chemicals are captured, how acidity is controlled, and how unwanted substances are removed in seawater, as well as choosing the best extraction approach for sediment and suspended particles. This resulted in a set of optimized procedures tailored to each environmental medium. Careful quality checks showed that the method produced consistent and reliable results, with most measurements falling within acceptable accuracy ranges and low variation between tests. When applied to real marine samples, the method revealed that PFAS levels differ depending on where they are found, showing clear differences between seawater, suspended particles, and sediment, as well as variations across locations and over time.¹

The researchers report that their final method showed strong performance, with the ability to detect very low concentrations, consistent results, and good accuracy across tests. When applied to real samples from the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea, it successfully revealed how PFAS are distributed and vary across different regions and environmental compartments, making it a useful tool for studying marine pollution and supporting future risk assessments.¹

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References

1. Chen, N.: Feng, J. C.; Tang, L. et al. A Robust Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of 30 Legacy and Emerging Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Across Multiple Marine Media. Mar Pollut Bull. 2026, 230, 119829. DOI: DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119829
2. Xiao, J.; Wang, J.; Fan, H. et al.Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Int. J. Environ. Anal. Chem.2016, 96 (5), 407-435. DOI: 10.1021/ac400016e
3. Umeh, A. C.; Hassan, M.; Egbuatu, M. et al. Multicomponent PFAS Sorption and Desorption in Common Commercial Adsorbents: Kinetics, Isotherm, Adsorbent Dose, pH, and Index Ion and Ionic Strength Effects. Sci Total Environ.2023, 904, 166568. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166568
4. Brumovský, M.; Bečanová, J.; Karásková, P. et al. Retention Performance of Three Widely Used SPE Sorbents for the Extraction of Perfluoroalkyl Substances from Seawater. Chemosphere 2018, 193, 259-269. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.174
5. Olomukoro, A. A.; Lüthy, L.; Flug, T. et al. Evaluation of Extraction Methodologies for PFAS Analysis in Mascara: A Comparative Study of SPME and Automated µSPE. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2026, 418 (2), 619-632. DOI: 10.1007/s00216-025-05908-x
6. Nanjappa, V.; Goonetilleke, A.; Ayoko, G. A. et al.Optimization of Solid Phase Extraction Method for the Extraction and Clean-Up of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water and Sediment Samples. Microchem. J.2025, 218, 115640. DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2025.115640