Additional surveys are necessary to decrease the uncertainties in the concentration
and flux estimates. However, these results clearly show that additional significant
sources of plastic fragments occur within the urban area, such as the inputs linked to
storm water or the fragmentation of plastic litter on the river banks. Their relative
contributions are undetermined so far.
This type of multiscalar study of plastics at the catchment scale is rare, and the
results produced in recent years in the Seine catchment are therefore original.
However, additional studies are clearly required to achieve a more comprehensive
overview of the dynamics of both micro- and macroplastics in the environment and
further insight into the ecotoxicological consequences of their presence in freshwater
ecosystems. From a water quality management point of view, the relevant figures
and numbers necessary to engage efficient actions are still missing.
3 Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)
3.1 Context
Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) constitute a vast family of molecules
bearing a fluorinated aliphatic chain (C n F 2n+1 ) [25]. The industrial synthesis of these
compounds began around 1950, and world production exceeded three million tons in
2000. The numerous applications of PFASs include additives in the synthesis of
fluoropolymers, water and oil repellents for textiles, firefighting foams, lubricants,
coatings and food packaging [25]. Less than 20 years ago, perfluorooctane sulfonate
(PFOS) was found to be globally distributed in wildlife [26] and humans [27], while
concerns were raised about its adverse effects [28] before it was officially classified
as a Persistent Organic Pollutant in 2009 [29]. Since then, a large number of studies
have addressed the issues of PFAS sources and environmental fate [30]. Besides
airports and military bases, industrial sites such as fluorochemical facilities, metal
plating industries, textile mills and power plants, urban areas are also considered as
key sources of PFASs to hydrosystems [31, 32], due to either point source contamination (e.g. wastewater discharge) or diffuse contamination (e.g. urban runoff).
However, the dynamics of these chemicals in urban rivers still remain poorly
understood. In this context, the aims of the studies conducted within the PIRENSeine programme since 2010 were twofold: (1) investigate the occurrence and the
spatio-temporal dynamics of PFASs in the Seine River under contrasted hydrological conditions and (2) investigate the transfer of these chemicals to biota in urban
rivers.
362
P. Labadie et al.
and flux estimates. However, these results clearly show that additional significant
sources of plastic fragments occur within the urban area, such as the inputs linked to
storm water or the fragmentation of plastic litter on the river banks. Their relative
contributions are undetermined so far.
This type of multiscalar study of plastics at the catchment scale is rare, and the
results produced in recent years in the Seine catchment are therefore original.
However, additional studies are clearly required to achieve a more comprehensive
overview of the dynamics of both micro- and macroplastics in the environment and
further insight into the ecotoxicological consequences of their presence in freshwater
ecosystems. From a water quality management point of view, the relevant figures
and numbers necessary to engage efficient actions are still missing.
3 Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)
3.1 Context
Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) constitute a vast family of molecules
bearing a fluorinated aliphatic chain (C n F 2n+1 ) [25]. The industrial synthesis of these
compounds began around 1950, and world production exceeded three million tons in
2000. The numerous applications of PFASs include additives in the synthesis of
fluoropolymers, water and oil repellents for textiles, firefighting foams, lubricants,
coatings and food packaging [25]. Less than 20 years ago, perfluorooctane sulfonate
(PFOS) was found to be globally distributed in wildlife [26] and humans [27], while
concerns were raised about its adverse effects [28] before it was officially classified
as a Persistent Organic Pollutant in 2009 [29]. Since then, a large number of studies
have addressed the issues of PFAS sources and environmental fate [30]. Besides
airports and military bases, industrial sites such as fluorochemical facilities, metal
plating industries, textile mills and power plants, urban areas are also considered as
key sources of PFASs to hydrosystems [31, 32], due to either point source contamination (e.g. wastewater discharge) or diffuse contamination (e.g. urban runoff).
However, the dynamics of these chemicals in urban rivers still remain poorly
understood. In this context, the aims of the studies conducted within the PIRENSeine programme since 2010 were twofold: (1) investigate the occurrence and the
spatio-temporal dynamics of PFASs in the Seine River under contrasted hydrological conditions and (2) investigate the transfer of these chemicals to biota in urban
rivers.
362
P. Labadie et al.