Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were analyzed
in surface soils along the Koshi River in Nepal, a typical
agricultural country with little industrialization and urbanization.
Sixteen target PFASs were quantified in soils from a hilly
region in central and eastern Nepal, but only ten PFASs were
detected. Concentrations of total PFASs ranged from nd (below
the detection limit) to 1.78 ng/g dw. The predominant
PFASs in soils were perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) and
perfluoro-butanesulfonate (PFBS) with concentrations that
ranged from nd to 0.26 ng/g dw and nd to 0.38 ng/g dw,
respectively. Results of mass balance analysis also revealed
weak associations among concentrations of PFASs, extractable
organic fluorine (EOF), and total fluorine (TF). PFASs
were relatively evenly distributed among locations.