Theoretical and experimental simulation of the fate of semifluorinated n-alkanes during snowmelt.

Semifluorinated n-alkanes (SFAs) are highly fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that are released into the environment through their use in ski waxes. Nothing is known about their environmental partitioning in general and their fate during snowmelt in particular. Properties were estimated for a range of SFAs with different chain lengths and degrees of fluorination using the SPARC calculator and poly parameter linear free energy relationships (ppLFERs). The calculations resulted in very low water solubility and vapor pressures and, consequently, high log KOW and log KOA values. Artificially produced snow in a cold room was spiked with a range of SFAs and subsequently melted with infrared lamps. Melt water, particles, and air samples taken during melting were analyzed. Both calculations and experiments showed that SFAs used in ski waxes will bind to particles or snow grain surfaces during snowmelt and thus are predicted to end up on the soil surface in skiing areas.