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Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in Groundwater and Surface Water: Mapping, Trends and Regulatory Perspectives

Åkesson, Måns LU (2026) In TVVR 5000 VVRM05 20261
Division of Water Resources Engineering
Abstract
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an ultra-short chain PFAS, is highly persistent, mobile in water, and currently not explicitly regulated in Swedish- or other European water legislation apart from in Denmark. This thesis investigates the occurrence, trends, and potential pesticide-derived formation of TFA in Swedish ground- and surface waters along with regulatory implications on a national and international level. A dataset of 437 Swedish TFA measurements from 2023-2026 was analysed, covering 19 of 21 counties and 111 of 290 municipalities in Sweden. Results show that TFA is widespread across Sweden, with a national mean concentration of approximately 360 ng/l with indications of a southward concentration gradient. Skåne County had both the... (More)
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an ultra-short chain PFAS, is highly persistent, mobile in water, and currently not explicitly regulated in Swedish- or other European water legislation apart from in Denmark. This thesis investigates the occurrence, trends, and potential pesticide-derived formation of TFA in Swedish ground- and surface waters along with regulatory implications on a national and international level. A dataset of 437 Swedish TFA measurements from 2023-2026 was analysed, covering 19 of 21 counties and 111 of 290 municipalities in Sweden. Results show that TFA is widespread across Sweden, with a national mean concentration of approximately 360 ng/l with indications of a southward concentration gradient. Skåne County had both the highest mean and highest maximum concentration measuring 600 ng/l and 2700 ng/l respectively. Trend analyses from 29 monitoring stations and 128 observations indicated increasing concentrations, with Linear Mixed Model and Robust Linear Model estimates showing annual increases in Sweden of 19.65% and 16.86%, respectively. Swedish pesticide sales data from 2000-2024 showed increasing input of TFA-precursor substances, with 2024 reaching the highest studied level. Mass-balance modelling suggests potential pesticide-derived TFA accumulation in Swedish waters of 130-150 tonnes by 2025 since year 2000. The conclusion is that expanded monitoring, improved knowledge of pesticide degradation pathways, and precautionary regulation are needed due to TFA’s persistence and uncertain long-term effects on human health and the ecosystem. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Trifluorättiksyra (TFA), en ultrakortkedjig PFAS, är mycket ihärdig, rörlig i vatten och för närvarande inte uttryckligen reglerad i svensk eller annan europeisk vattenlagstiftning med undantag för Danmark. Denna avhandling undersöker förekomst, trender och potentiell pesticidbildad TFA i svenska grund- och ytvatten samt regulatoriska implikationer på nationell och internationell nivå. Ett dataset med 437 svenska TFA-mätningar från 2023–2026 analyserades, vilket omfattade 19 av 21 län och 111 av 290 kommuner i Sverige. Resultaten visar att TFA är utbrett i Sverige, med en nationell medelkoncentration på cirka 360 ng/l och indikationer på en sydlig koncentrationsgradient. Skåne län hade både den högsta medelkoncentrationen och den högsta... (More)
Trifluorättiksyra (TFA), en ultrakortkedjig PFAS, är mycket ihärdig, rörlig i vatten och för närvarande inte uttryckligen reglerad i svensk eller annan europeisk vattenlagstiftning med undantag för Danmark. Denna avhandling undersöker förekomst, trender och potentiell pesticidbildad TFA i svenska grund- och ytvatten samt regulatoriska implikationer på nationell och internationell nivå. Ett dataset med 437 svenska TFA-mätningar från 2023–2026 analyserades, vilket omfattade 19 av 21 län och 111 av 290 kommuner i Sverige. Resultaten visar att TFA är utbrett i Sverige, med en nationell medelkoncentration på cirka 360 ng/l och indikationer på en sydlig koncentrationsgradient. Skåne län hade både den högsta medelkoncentrationen och den högsta maximala koncentrationen på 600 ng/l respektive 2700 ng/l. Trendanalyser från 29 mätstationer och 128 observationer indikerade ökande koncentrationer, där skattningar från en Linear Mixed Model och Robust Linear Model visade årliga ökningar på 19,65 % respektive 16,86 %. Svenska försäljningsdata för pesticider från år 2000–2024 visade en ökande tillförsel av TFA-bildande ämnen, där 2024 nådde den högsta nivån under den studerade perioden. Massbalansmodellering antyder en potentiell ackumulering av pesticidbildad TFA i svenska vatten på 130–150 ton år 2025, räknat från år 2000. Slutsatsen är att utökad övervakning, förbättrad kunskap om pesticiders nedbrytningsprocesser och förebyggande regleringsåtgärder behövs på grund av TFA:s ihärdighet och osäkerheter kring dess långtidseffekter på ekosystem och människors hälsa. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Åkesson, Måns LU
supervisor
organization
course
VVRM05 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
TFA, Trifluoroacetic acid, Pesticides, Drinking Water Directive, Groundwater
publication/series
TVVR 5000
report number
TVVR25/5004
ISSN
1101-9824
language
English
additional info
Examiner: Magnus Larson
id
9233458
date added to LUP
2026-06-09 10:18:53
date last changed
2026-06-09 10:18:53
@misc{9233458,
  abstract     = {{Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an ultra-short chain PFAS, is highly persistent, mobile in water, and currently not explicitly regulated in Swedish- or other European water legislation apart from in Denmark. This thesis investigates the occurrence, trends, and potential pesticide-derived formation of TFA in Swedish ground- and surface waters along with regulatory implications on a national and international level. A dataset of 437 Swedish TFA measurements from 2023-2026 was analysed, covering 19 of 21 counties and 111 of 290 municipalities in Sweden. Results show that TFA is widespread across Sweden, with a national mean concentration of approximately 360 ng/l with indications of a southward concentration gradient. Skåne County had both the highest mean and highest maximum concentration measuring 600 ng/l and 2700 ng/l respectively. Trend analyses from 29 monitoring stations and 128 observations indicated increasing concentrations, with Linear Mixed Model and Robust Linear Model estimates showing annual increases in Sweden of 19.65% and 16.86%, respectively. Swedish pesticide sales data from 2000-2024 showed increasing input of TFA-precursor substances, with 2024 reaching the highest studied level. Mass-balance modelling suggests potential pesticide-derived TFA accumulation in Swedish waters of 130-150 tonnes by 2025 since year 2000. The conclusion is that expanded monitoring, improved knowledge of pesticide degradation pathways, and precautionary regulation are needed due to TFA’s persistence and uncertain long-term effects on human health and the ecosystem.}},
  author       = {{Åkesson, Måns}},
  issn         = {{1101-9824}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{TVVR 5000}},
  title        = {{Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in Groundwater and Surface Water: Mapping, Trends and Regulatory Perspectives}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}