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A simultaneous sampling of atmospheric and seawater samples was performed in the Taiwan Western Strait, western Arctic Ocean, and the Antarctic Ocean. Analysis of both particle and gas phase PFAS in oceanic air was conducted using cascade impactor particle fractionator, cryogenic air sampler and activated charcoal fiber sorbent for the first time with application in the Taiwan Western Strait. Mean concentration of Σ 12 PFAS in surface seawater and atmospheric samples were 1178 pg/L and 24 pg/m3 in the Taiwan Western Strait, 430 pg/L and 6 pg/m3 in the western Arctic Ocean, and 456 pg/L and 3 pg/m3 in the Antarctic Ocean. In oceanic air from the Taiwan Western Strait, fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) and the ionic PFAS [perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA)] were found in 76% and 7% respectively. Regional comparison of air/water exchange (K AW) and gas-particle (K p) partition coefficients of PFAS in the oceanic environment indicated potential partitioning of ionic PFAS between surface seawater and oceanic air. These findings highlight the advancement in atmospheric PFAS measurements through combined novel technologies, namely size-fractionated particle sampling with cryogenic air trapping and/or activated charcoal sorption. Correlation between K p and carbon chain length of PFAS was observed using both hyphenated techniques. [Display omitted] • Ionic PFAS in surface water and atmosphere were analyzed from the Taiwan Western Strait, Arctic Ocean and Antarctic Ocean. • New air sampling techniques were firstly applied in the marine environment for PFAS. • Not only fluorotelomer alcohol also new class of neutral PFAS were detected in oceanic air from the Taiwan Western Strait. • Gas-particle partition coefficient (K p) and air-water partition coefficient (K AW) were estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method is preliminarily validated for the simultaneous analysis of ionic and neutral per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in both particulate and gaseous phases in air using a nanosampler-20 air sampler (NS20) composed of quartz fiber filters (QFFs), polyurethane foam (PUF) and artificial activated charcoal (GAIAC™). Perfluoroalkane sulfonamido ethanols (FOSEs) mainly remained in PUF, whereas the other neutral analytes were mainly found in GAIAC. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained for FOSEs, fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), fluorotelomer iodides (FTIs), ranging fron 70%–120%, moderate recoveries were achieved for perfluorinated iodine alkanes (FIAs) and diiodofluoroalkanes (FDIAs), ranging from 50%–70%, while poor recoveries were found for perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FOSAs). Breakthrough experiments revealed that almost all the target analytes were well trapped in GAIAC™, including the very volatile 4:2 FTOH. Applying to real sampling, our results showed that 6:2 and 8:2 FTOH were the most abundant species, with levels detected at 190 pg/m3 and 160 pg/m3. To the best of our knowledge, FDIAs were detected in ambient air for the first time at an average level of 8.3 pg/m3. Overall, the profiles observed from the real air samples reflected current industrial transition from longer chain to shorter chain in PFAS production. Our results revealed that the current method is promising for a more comprehensive understanding on the fates of PFASs in air. [Display omitted] • New research tool enables simultaneous analysis of neutral and ionizable per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in air were developed. • New air sampler satisfactory recoveries for not only most PFAS but also for some emerging PFAS (fluorotelomer iodides, perfluorinated iodine alkanes and diiodofluoroalkanes. • Validation experiment shown that there was environmental alteration of original PFAS in air during traditional sampling procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]