Perfluoroalkyl substances in the Maltese environment - (II) sediments, soils and groundwater

“The presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in sediments and groundwater on the Maltese Islands is reported here for the first time. Sediments and soil samples were collected from 24 sites and groundwater was collected from 10 boreholes. PFASs were extracted from water and solid samples using solid phase extraction. The extracts were then analysed using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem (UPLC-MS/MS). All sediment, soil and groundwater samples were contaminated with at least one PFAS. PFOS (