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Halogenated methanesulfonic acids (HMSAs) are an important new class of organic compounds as they were universal in the water cycle and drinking water sources. However, no study has investigated the presence of HMSAs in surface water and sediment from China. The present study reports the occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution of seven HMSAs in water and sediment samples from Hangzhou Bay, China. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMSA) was the main contributor to the concentrations of HMSAs in water and sediment samples from spring, summer, autumn and winter which were 30.8–541 ng/L, n. d.-86.6 ng/L, 4.22–70.9 ng/L and 8.86–192 ng/L, separately, while in sediment samples were n. d.-11.1 ng/g, n. d.-12.9 ng/g, n. d.-22.5 ng/g, n. d.-4.60 ng/g, respectively. The levels of HMSAs in water from winter and spring were higher than those in summer and autumn, and the concentrations of the target HMSAs in water presents a seasonal pattern affected by the temperature, the precipitation and river flow variations. Nevertheless, the levels of HMSAs in sediment were highest in the area near the industrial area and the confluences of rivers. Correlation analysis revealed that the concentrations of TFMSA were significantly positively correlated with total organic carbon (TOC) in water samples. Although TFMSA is regarded as low toxic based on the EC 50 value of acute toxicity, the potential risks to aquatic ecology should be paid more attention due to its high concentrations in the aquatic system and the environmental persistency. [Display omitted] • HMSAs were observed in Hangzhou Bay's water and sediment for the first time. • Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid was the main contributor to the concentrations of HMSAs. • Detection frequencies of HMSAs in water were much higher than those in sediment. • The levels of TFMSAs in water showed distinct seasonal patterns. • TOC was the important factor affecting the levels of TFMSAs in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]