1
|
Behnami A, Zoroufchi Benis K, Pourakbar M, Yeganeh M, Esrafili A, Gholami M. Biosolids, an important route for transporting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from wastewater treatment plants into the environment: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171559. [PMID: 38458438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in diverse products has led to their introduction into wastewater systems, making wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) significant PFAS contributors to the environment. Despite WWTPs' efforts to mitigate PFAS impact through physicochemical and biological means, concerns persist regarding PFAS retention in generated biosolids. While numerous review studies have explored the fate of these compounds within WWTPs, no study has critically reviewed their presence, transformation mechanisms, and partitioning within the sludge. Therefore, the current study has been specifically designed to investigate these aspects. Studies show variations in PFAS concentrations across WWTPs, highlighting the importance of aqueous-to-solid partitioning, with sludge from PFOS and PFOA-rich wastewater showing higher concentrations. Research suggests biological mechanisms such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, transamine metabolism, and beta-oxidation are involved in PFAS biotransformation, though the effects of precursor changes require further study. Carbon chain length significantly affects PFAS partitioning, with longer chains leading to greater adsorption in sludge. The wastewater's organic and inorganic content is crucial for PFAS adsorption; for instance, higher sludge protein content and divalent cations like calcium and magnesium promote adsorption, while monovalent cations like sodium impede it. In conclusion, these discoveries shed light on the complex interactions among factors affecting PFAS behavior in biosolids. They underscore the necessity for thorough considerations in managing PFAS presence and its impact on environmental systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Behnami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khaled Zoroufchi Benis
- Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mojtaba Pourakbar
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran; Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Yeganeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Esrafili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mitra Gholami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nguyen HT, Thai PK, Kaserzon SL, O'Brien JW, Mueller JF. Nationwide occurrence and discharge mass load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent and biosolids: A snapshot from 75 wastewater treatment plants across Australia. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134203. [PMID: 38581874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as secondary sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) released into the environment. In this study, PFAS concentrations were measured in effluent and biosolids samples collected from 75 WWTPs across Australia during the 2016 Census period, which covers more than half of the Australian population. Twelve PFAS compounds, including six C5-C10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), four perfluoro sulfonic acids (PFSAs) such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfuorohexane sulfonic (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (PFDS), and one fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS), were detected in the effluent, with concentrations up to 504 ng/L (PFHxS). Among these, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluoropentanic acid (PFPeA) exhibited the highest median concentrations. In the biosolids, a total of 21 PFAS compounds were detected, encompassing ten C4-C14 PFCAs, four PFSAs, two FTS (6:2 and 8:2 FTS), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), two perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (NMethyl FOSAA and NEthyl FOSAA), and two perfluorooctane sulfonamido ethanol (FOSE), with dry weight (dw) concentrations approaching 235 ng/g (PFOS). The highest median and mean concentrations were observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and PFOS. An annual discharge of approximately 250 kg of the total 21 PFAS compounds was estimated through the effluent and biosolids of the participating WWTPs. Notably, PFOS and 6:2 FTS constituted the largest proportion of total PFAS in the WWTPs' output. While PFCAs were higher in effluent concentrations compared to influent levels across most WWTPs (92% of WWTPs for ∑8PFCAs), the concentrations of PFSAs either decreased or remained relatively stable (in 80% of WWTPs for ∑4PFSAs) throughout the wastewater treatment process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hue T Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; Faculty of Environment, University of Sciences, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 748500, Viet Nam.
| | - Phong K Thai
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Sarit L Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen Y, Zhu J, Ma H, Gu Y, Liu T. Fe 2+-NTA synergized UV 254 photolytic defluorination of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS): Enhancing through intramolecular electron density perturbation via electron acquisition. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121421. [PMID: 38461601 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant posing a risk in environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and biotoxicity. This study was to reach a comprehensive and deeper understanding of PFOS elimination in a UV254 photolytic treatment with the co-presence of Fe2+ and nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt (NTA). PFOS defluorination was noticeably enhanced in the UV/Fe2+-NTA treatment compared with UV/NTA, UV/Fe2+ and our previously studied UV/Fe3+ treatments. UV-vis, FTIR, and UPLC/MS-MS results indicated the formation of PFOS-Fe2+-NTA complex in PFOS, Fe2+ and NTA mixture. The transition energy gap of PFOS-Fe2+-NTA decreased below the excitation energy supplied by UV254 irradiation, corresponding with red shift appearing in UV-vis scanning spectrum. This favored intramolecular electron transfer from Fe2+-NTA to PFOS under UV254 irradiation to form electron-accepting PFOS. Molecular electrostatic potential and atom charge distribution analyses suggested electron density rearrangement and perturbation in the perfluorinated carbon chain of electron-accepting PFOS, leading to the decrease in bond dissociation energies. Intermediate products detection suggested the parallel defluorination pathways of PFOS desulfonation, middle carbon chain scission and direct C-F cleavage. NTA exhibited crucial functions in the UV/Fe2+-NTA treatment by holding Fe2+/Fe3+ in soluble form as a chelant and favoring water activation to generate hydrated electrons (eaq-) under UV irradiation as a photosensitizer. Fe2+ acting as the conduit for electron transfer and the bridge of PFOS anion and NTA was thought functioning best at 200 µM in this study. The degree of UV/Fe2+-NTA -synergized PFOS defluorination also depended on eaq- yield and UV254 photon flux. The structure dependence on the electron transfer process of PFOS and PFOA was explored incorporating molecular structure descriptors. Because of possessing greater potential to acquire electrons or less likeliness to donate its electrons than PFOA, PFOS exhibited faster defluorination kinetics in the published "reduction treatments" than "oxidation" ones. Whereas, PFOA defluorination kinetics were at similar level in both "reduction" and "oxidation" treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Chen
- Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhu
- Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hang Ma
- Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yurong Gu
- Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tongzhou Liu
- Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Link GW, Reeves DM, Cassidy DP, Coffin ES. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in final treated solids (Biosolids) from 190 Michigan wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132734. [PMID: 37922581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Trends in concentration, distribution, and variability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids are characterized using an extensive dataset of 350 samples from 190 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Michigan. All samples are comprised of final treated solids generated at the end of the wastewater treatment process. Concentrations of both individual and Σ24 PFAS are lognormally distributed, with Σ24 PFAS concentrations ranging from 1-3200 ng/g and averaging 108 ± 277 ng/g dry wt. PFAS with carboxyl and sulfonic functional groups comprise 29% and 71% of Σ24 PFAS concentrations, respectively, on average. Primary sample variability in concentration is associated with long-chain PFAS with higher tendency for partitioning to biosolids. Short-chain carboxylic compounds, most notably PFHxA, are responsible for secondary concentration variability. Usage of FTSA and PFBS replacements to long-chain sulfonic compounds also contributes to variance in biosolids concentrations. Sulfonamide precursor compounds as a collective group are detected at a similar frequency as PFOS and often have higher concentrations. Trends in PFAS enrichment for individual PFAS vary at least 3 orders-of-magnitude and generally increase with compound hydrophobicity; however, partitioning of PFAS onto solids in WWTPs is a complex process not easily described nor constrained using experimentally-derived partitioning coefficients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Garrett W Link
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Donald M Reeves
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA.
| | - Daniel P Cassidy
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Ethan S Coffin
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lv L, Liu B, Zhang B, Yu Y, Gao L, Ding L. A systematic review on distribution, sources and sorption of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in soil and their plant uptake. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116156. [PMID: 37196690 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous in environment, which have attracted increasing concerns in recent years. This study collected the data on PFAAs concentrations in 1042 soil samples from 15 countries and comprehensively reviewed the spatial distribution, sources, sorption mechanisms of PFAAs in soil and their plant uptake. PFAAs are widely detected in soils from many countries worldwide and their distribution is related to the emission of the fluorine-containing organic industry. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are found to be the predominant PFAAs in soil. Industrial emission is the main source of PFAAs contributing 49.9% of the total concentrations of PFAAs (Ʃ PFAAs) in soil, followed by activated sludge treated by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (19.9%) and irrigation of effluents from WWTPs, usage of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFFs) and leaching of leachate from landfill (30.2%). The adsorption of PFAAs by soil is mainly influenced by soil pH, ionic strength, soil organic matter and minerals. The concentrations of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in soil are negatively correlated with the length of carbon chain, log Kow, and log Koc. The carbon chain lengths of PFAAs are negatively correlated with the root-soil concentration factors (RCFs) and shoot-soil concentration factors (SCFs). The uptake of PFAAs by plant is influenced by physicochemical properties of PFAAs, plant physiology and soil environment. Further studies should be conducted to make up the inadequacy of existing knowledge on the behavior and fate of PFAAs in soil-plant system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linyang Lv
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China
| | - Baolin Liu
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China.
| | - Bimi Zhang
- Food and Drug Engineering Institute, Jilin Province Economic Management Cadre College, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Lei Gao
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China
| | - Lingjie Ding
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang J, Gao L, Bergmann D, Bulatovic T, Surapaneni A, Gray S. Review of influence of critical operation conditions on by-product/intermediate formation during thermal destruction of PFAS in solid/biosolids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158796. [PMID: 36115408 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic organofluorine compounds. Over 4700 PFAS compounds have been produced and used in our daily life since the 1940s. PFAS have received considerable interest because of their toxicity, environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and wide existence in the environment. Various treatment methods have been developed to overcome these issues. Thermal treatment such as combustion and pyrolysis/gasification have been employed to treat PFAS contaminated solids and soils. However, short-chain PFAS and/or volatile organic fluorine is produced and emitted via exhaust gas during the thermal treatment. Combustion can achieve complete mineralisation of PFAS at large scale operation using temperatures >1000 °C. Pyrolysis has been used in treatment of biosolids and has demonstrated that it could remove PFAS completely from the generated biochar by evaporation and degradation. Although pyrolysis partially degrades PFAS to short-chain fluorine containing organics in the syngas, it could not efficiently mineralise PFAS. Combustion of PFAS containing syngas at 1000 °C can achieve complete mineralisation of PFAS. Furthermore, the by-product of mineralisation, HF, should also be monitored due to its low regulated atmospheric discharge values. Alkali scrubbing is normally required to lower the HF concentration in the exhaust gas to acceptable discharge concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Zhang
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia.
| | - Li Gao
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia; South East Water Corporation, PO Box 2268, Seaford, Victoria 3198, Australia
| | - David Bergmann
- South East Water Corporation, PO Box 2268, Seaford, Victoria 3198, Australia
| | - Tamara Bulatovic
- South East Water Corporation, PO Box 2268, Seaford, Victoria 3198, Australia
| | - Aravind Surapaneni
- South East Water Corporation, PO Box 2268, Seaford, Victoria 3198, Australia
| | - Stephen Gray
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bolan N, Sarkar B, Vithanage M, Singh G, Tsang DCW, Mukhopadhyay R, Ramadass K, Vinu A, Sun Y, Ramanayaka S, Hoang SA, Yan Y, Li Y, Rinklebe J, Li H, Kirkham MB. Distribution, behaviour, bioavailability and remediation of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in solid biowastes and biowaste-treated soil. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 155:106600. [PMID: 33964642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foam, used in firefighting, and biowastes, including biosolids, animal and poultry manures, and composts, provide a major source of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) input to soil. Large amounts of biowastes are added to soil as a source of nutrients and carbon. They also are added as soil amendments to improve soil health and crop productivity. Plant uptake of PFAS through soil application of biowastes is a pathway for animal and human exposure to PFAS. The complexity of PFAS mixtures, and their chemical and thermal stability, make remediation of PFAS in both solid and aqueous matrices challenging. Remediation of PFAS in biowastes, as well as soils treated with these biowastes, can be achieved through preventing and decreasing the concentration of PFAS in biowaste sources (i.e., prevention through source control), mobilization of PFAS in contaminated soil and subsequent removal through leaching (i.e., soil washing) and plant uptake (i.e., phytoremediation), sorption of PFAS, thereby decreasing their mobility and bioavailability (i.e., immobilization), and complete removal through thermal and chemical oxidation (i.e., destruction). In this review, the distribution, bioavailability, and remediation of PFAS in soil receiving solid biowastes, which include biosolids, composts, and manure, are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanthi Bolan
- The Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia, The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Gurwinder Singh
- The Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Raj Mukhopadhyay
- Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal 132001, India
| | - Kavitha Ramadass
- The Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Ajayan Vinu
- The Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sammani Ramanayaka
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom; Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Son A Hoang
- The Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia, The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Yubo Yan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an 223300, China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, Faculty of Architecture und Civil Engineering, Institute of Soil Engineering, Waste- and Water Science, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea.
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Point AD, Holsen TM, Fernando S, Hopke PK, Crimmins BS. Trends (2005-2016) of perfluoroalkyl acids in top predator fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146151. [PMID: 33711592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This work presents the first assessment of temporal trends (2005-2016) for perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in top predator fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes except Lake Ontario, for which we provide a post-2008 update. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) or walleye (Sander vitreus; Lake Erie only) collected annually from 2005 to 2016 were analyzed for 12 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and 4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) with carbon chain lengths between 4 and 16 (C4-C16). Individual analyte concentrations generally decreased in fish basin-wide between 2005 and 2016, including Lake Ontario lake trout previously found to lack declining PFAA concentrations up until 2008. Declining fish PFAA burden reflects a positive response to the industrial phase-outs of these chemicals. Notable exceptions to this general decline included most analytes in lake trout collected from Lake Superior near Keweenaw Point and C6 and C8 PFSAs and C9 PFCAs in Lake Erie lake trout and walleye, which exhibited constant or increasing concentrations in recent years. Recent increases in Lake Superior shoreline development and mobilization from increased sediment resuspension and contamination from biosolids-amended agricultural soils in the Lake Erie watershed are plausible explanations for these cases. However, data scarcity prohibits confirmation of these suspected causes. The lingering lack of declining concentrations noted in this study together with the ongoing evolution of the fluorinated chemical industry emphasize the vigilance needed to better understand how past and future emissions will affect the Great Lakes and global ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Point
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States of America
| | - Thomas M Holsen
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States of America; Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States of America
| | - Sujan Fernando
- Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States of America
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States of America; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America.
| | - Bernard S Crimmins
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States of America; AEACS, LLC, New Kensington, PA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lenka SP, Kah M, Padhye LP. A review of the occurrence, transformation, and removal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 199:117187. [PMID: 34010737 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise more than 4,000 anthropogenically manufactured compounds with widescale consumer and industrial applications. This critical review compiles the latest information on the worldwide distribution of PFAS and evaluates their fate in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A large proportion (>30%) of monitoring studies in WWTPs were conducted in China, followed by Europe (30%) and North America (16%), whereas information is generally lacking for other parts of the world, including most of the developing countries. Short and long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were widely detected in both the influents (up to 1,000 ng/L) and effluents (15 to >1,500 ng/L) of WWTPs. To date, limited data is available regarding levels of PFAS precursors and ultra-short chain PFAS in WWTPs. Most WWTPs exhibited low removal efficiencies for PFAS, and many studies reported an increase in the levels of PFAAs after wastewater treatment. The analysis of the fate of various classes of PFAS at different wastewater treatment stages (aerobic and/aerobic biodegradation, photodegradation, and chemical degradation) revealed biodegradation as the primary mechanism responsible for the transformation of PFAS precursors to PFAAs in WWTPs. Remediation studies at full scale and laboratory scale suggest advanced processes such as adsorption using ion exchange resins, electrochemical degradation, and nanofiltration are more effective in removing PFAS (~95-100%) than conventional processes. However, the applicability of such treatments for real-world WWTPs faces significant challenges due to the scaling-up requirements, mass-transfer limitations, and management of treatment by-products and wastes. Combining more than one technique for effective removal of PFAS, while addressing limitations of the individual treatments, could be beneficial. Considering environmental concentrations of PFAS, cost-effectiveness, and ease of operation, nanofiltration followed by adsorption using wood-derived biochar and/or activated carbons could be a viable option if introduced to conventional treatment systems. However, the large-scale applicability of the same needs to be further verified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie Kah
- School of Environment, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lokesh P Padhye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Moodie D, Coggan T, Berry K, Kolobaric A, Fernandes M, Lee E, Reichman S, Nugegoda D, Clarke BO. Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Australian biosolids. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 270:129143. [PMID: 33429237 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biosolids samples were collected from 19 Australian WWTPs during 2018 that cover a range of catchment types (urban, rural, industrial waste discharges) and treatment technologies. Samples were analysed for 44 PFAS using isotope dilution and alkaline extraction coupled with quantification with LC-MS/MS. The Σ44PFAS mean concentration was 260 ng/g dry weight (dw) and ranged between 4.2 and 910 ng/g dw. The dominant compound class detected were the di-substituted phosphate esters (Σ3PAPs mean 140 ng/g dw; range ND - 730 ng/g dw) which contributed 45% of the total mean Σ44PFAS mass, followed by perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (Σ11PFCAs mean 39 ng/g dw; range 2.3-120 ng/g dw) contributing 17%, and the perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (Σ8PFSAs mean 28 ng/g dw; range 0.9-220 ng/g) which contributed 16%. Using the population data supplied by the participating WWTPs, the mean annual estimated biosolids-associated PFAS contribution is 6 mg per person per year and ranged between 0.6 mg and 15 mg. A similar population normalised concentration regardless of WWTP, region or capacity suggests that the domestic environment provides the baseline PFAS loading. Statistically significant higher Σ44PFAS and PFOS concentrations were observed at urban locations. A weak correlation was observed between annual mass of PFAS associated with each individual WWTP and their percentage industrial waste contribution. This may be important for elevated PFAS concentrations observed in WWTPs with higher industrial waste inputs and requires further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien Moodie
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia; Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Timothy Coggan
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Kathryn Berry
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Adam Kolobaric
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Milena Fernandes
- SA Water, GPO Box 1751, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Elliot Lee
- Water Corporation, Leederville, Western Australia, 6007, Australia
| | - Suzie Reichman
- Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM), School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Dayanthi Nugegoda
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Riva F, Zuccato E, Pacciani C, Colombo A, Castiglioni S. A multi-residue analytical method for extraction and analysis of pharmaceuticals and other selected emerging contaminants in sewage sludge. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:526-535. [PMID: 33447838 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay02027c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment processes, and may be employed in agriculture as a fertilizer or in forestry for land reclamation. It is an important source of nutrients but its reuse can arouse concern on account of the wide range of contaminants that are retained and may persist during treatments. Information on the emerging contaminants (ECs) in sewage sludge in Italy is limited. The present study developed and applied a reliable analytical method for the analysis of 44 ECs in sewage sludge. ECs were extracted by accelerated solvent extraction followed by a clean-up step on solid-phase cartridges. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used for analysis. The ECs, selected on the basis of their use and documented presence in the environment, were 42 pharmaceuticals belonging to 12 therapeutic categories and 2 perfluorinated substances. The method performance was good, with recoveries higher than 70%, good repeatability (<20%) and sensitivity in the low ng g-1 range, allowing measurement of the analytes selected. The method was applied for analysis of sludge from 12 wastewater treatment plants in Italy. The most abundant compounds were antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and antihypertensives and ranged up to 5 μg g-1 (ciprofloxacin). Seasonal differences were found for some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs as well as some differences - in terms of concentration - with other European countries. This is the first Italian study to investigate the presence of a large number of ECs in sewage sludge and the results may be useful to drive future regulatory actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Riva
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Semerád J, Hatasová N, Grasserová A, Černá T, Filipová A, Hanč A, Innemanová P, Pivokonský M, Cajthaml T. Screening for 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including GenX in sludges from 43 WWTPs located in the Czech Republic - Evaluation of potential accumulation in vegetables after application of biosolids. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 261:128018. [PMID: 33113642 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Highly persistent, toxic and bioaccumulative per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represents a serious problem for the environment and their concentrations and fate remain largely unknown. The present study consists of a PFAS screening in sludges originating from 43 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Czech Republic. To analyze an extended group of PFAS consisting of 32 PFAS, including GenX and other new replacements of older and restricted PFAS in sludge, a new method was optimized and validated using pressurized solvent extraction, followed by the SPE clean-up step to eliminate the observed matrix effects and LC-MS/MS. The results revealed high PFAS contamination of sewage sludge, reaching values from 5.6 to 963.2 ng g-1. The results showed that in the majority of the samples (about 60%), PFOS was the most abundant among the targeted PFAS, reaching 932.9 ng g-1. Approximately 20% of the analyzed samples contained more short-chain PFAS, suggesting the replacement of long-chain PFAS (especially restricted PFOA and PFOS). GenX was detected in 9 samples, confirming the trend in the use of new PFAS. The results revealed that significantly higher contamination was detected in the samples from large WWTPs (population equivalent > 50,000; p-value <0.05). Concerning the application of sludge in agriculture, our prediction using the respective PFAS bioconcentration factors, the observed concentrations, and the legislatively permitted management of biosolids in Czech Republic agriculture revealed that PFAS can cause serious contamination of cereals and vegetables (oat, celery shoots and lettuce leaves), as well as general secondary contamination of the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Semerád
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Nicolette Hatasová
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Grasserová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Černá
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Filipová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Hanč
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Innemanová
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic; Dekonta a.s., Dřetovice 109, CZ-273 42 Stehelčeves, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pivokonský
- Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Pod Paťankou 30/5, CZ-166 12, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Cajthaml
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sleep JA, Juhasz AL. REMOVED: Perfluoroalkyl, fluorotelomer sulfonate, and perfluorooctane sulfonamide contamination in biosolids: Composition, co-contamination and re-use implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115120. [PMID: 32682161 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This article has been removed: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been removed at the request of the Authors. This article has been retracted because the authors did not seek or receive appropriate approvals to use these materials for the purposes of this publication. The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Sleep
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia.
| | - Albert L Juhasz
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kim Lazcano R, Choi YJ, Mashtare ML, Lee LS. Characterizing and Comparing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Commercially Available Biosolid and Organic Non-Biosolid-Based Products. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:8640-8648. [PMID: 32567309 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing concern over the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids, while sales in commercially available biosolid-based products used as soil amendments are also increasing. Here, the occurrence of 17 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) present in 13 commercially available biosolid-based products, six organic composts (manure, mushroom, peat, and untreated wood), and one food and yard waste compost were studied. The PFAA concentration ranges observed are as follows: biosolid-based products (9.0-199 μg/kg) > food and yard waste (18.5 μg/kg) > other organic products (0.1-1.1 μg/kg). Analysis of 2014, 2016, and 2018 bags produced from one product line showed a temporal decrease in the total PFAAs (181, 101, and 74 μg/kg, respectively). The total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay revealed the presence of PFAA precursors in the biosolid-based products at much higher levels, when the soluble carbon was removed by the ENVI-Carb clean-up prior to the TOP assay. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of three sulfonamides, two fluorotelomer sulfonates, and several polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters. Pore-water concentrations of water-saturated products were primarily of short-chain PFAAs and increased with increasing PFAA concentrations in the products. A strong positive log-linear correlation between organic carbon (OC)-normalized PFAA partition coefficients and the number of CFn units indicates that OC is a good predictor of PFAA release concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rooney Kim Lazcano
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering-Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Youn Jeong Choi
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering-Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Michael L Mashtare
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering-Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Linda S Lee
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering-Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lasters R, Groffen T, Lopez-Antia A, Bervoets L, Eens M. Variation in PFAA concentrations and egg parameters throughout the egg-laying sequence in a free-living songbird (the great tit, Parus major): Implications for biomonitoring studies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:237-248. [PMID: 30557797 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, there has been growing scientific attention and public concern towards perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), due to their widespread presence in the environment and associations with adverse effects on various organisms. Bird eggs have often been used as less-invasive biomonitoring tools for toxicological risk assessments of persistent organic pollutants, including some PFAAs. Hereby, it is typically assumed that one random egg is representative for the PFAA concentrations of the whole clutch. However, variation of PFAA concentrations within clutches due to laying sequence influences can have important implications for the egg collection strategy and may impede interpretations of the quantified concentrations. Therefore, the main objective of this paper was to study variation patterns and possible laying sequence associations with PFAA concentrations in eggs of the great tit (Parus major). Eight whole clutches (4-8 eggs) were collected at a location in the Antwerp region, situated about 11 km from a known PFAA point source. The ∑ PFAA concentrations ranged from 8.9 to 75.1 ng g-1 ww. PFOS concentrations ranged from 6.7 to 55.1 ng g-1 ww and this compound was the dominant contributor to the total PFAA profile (74%), followed by PFDoA (7%), PFOA (7%), PFDA (5%), PFTrA (4%) and PFNA (3%). The within-clutch variation (70.7%) of the ∑ PFAA concentrations was much larger than the among-clutch variation (29.3%) and concentrations decreased significantly for some PFAA compounds throughout the laying sequence. Nevertheless, PFAA concentrations were positively and significantly correlated between some egg pairs within the same clutch, especially between egg 1 and egg 3. For future PFAA biomonitoring studies, we recommend to consistently collect the same egg along the laying sequence, preferably the first or third egg if maximizing egg exposure metrics is the main objective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lasters
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Thimo Groffen
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Ana Lopez-Antia
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stefanac T, McCrindle R, McAlees AJ, Riddell N, Brazeau AL, Chittim BC. Characterization of Nine Isomers in Commercial Samples of Perfluoroethylcyclohexanesulfonate and of Some Minor Components Including PFOS Isomers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:9937-9945. [PMID: 30063347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical fluorination of 4-ethylbenzenesulfonyl halides produces a mixture of compounds that has found extensive use as an erosion inhibitor in aircraft hydraulic fluids. This paper reports a study of the composition of commercial samples of this material from two industrial scale manufacturers in terms of the structures and relative concentrations of their components, the major of which is perfluoroethylcyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS). Fractionation of one of these mixtures by column chromatography produced fractions in which all significant components were of sufficient purity to allow assignment of their structures by 19F NMR spectroscopy. Assessment of the relevant signals in the 19F NMR spectra of the commercial mixtures by integration revealed the presence of 14 constituents at levels ≥0.5% in terms of molar contributions. Ten of these involve five pairs of geometric isomers, including cis- and trans-PFECHS which accounted for between 55% and 60% of the components present. Three constituents were determined to be isomers of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), two branched and the other linear PFOS itself. The availability of samples of the various components also allowed us to identify the compounds responsible for the peaks observed when the commercial samples were analyzed by LC/MS using either C18 or perfluorophenyl stationary phases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Stefanac
- Wellington Laboratories Incorporated , Research Division , Guelph , Ontario N1G 3M5 , Canada
| | - Robert McCrindle
- Wellington Laboratories Incorporated , Research Division , Guelph , Ontario N1G 3M5 , Canada
- Department of Chemistry , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario N1G 2W1 , Canada
| | - Alan J McAlees
- Wellington Laboratories Incorporated , Research Division , Guelph , Ontario N1G 3M5 , Canada
| | - Nicole Riddell
- Wellington Laboratories Incorporated , Research Division , Guelph , Ontario N1G 3M5 , Canada
| | - Allison L Brazeau
- Wellington Laboratories Incorporated , Research Division , Guelph , Ontario N1G 3M5 , Canada
| | - Brock C Chittim
- Wellington Laboratories Incorporated , Research Division , Guelph , Ontario N1G 3M5 , Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li Y, Oliver DP, Kookana RS. A critical analysis of published data to discern the role of soil and sediment properties in determining sorption of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 628-629:110-120. [PMID: 29428853 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Widespread usage of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has caused major environmental contamination globally. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of PFASs affect the sorption behaviour and suggest organic carbon may not be the only factor affecting sorption. We reviewed the quality of all data published in peer-reviewed literature on sorption of PFASs to critically evaluate the role organic carbon (OC) and other properties have in sorption of PFASs in soils or sediments. The largest data sets available were for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, n = 147) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS, n = 178), and these analyses showed very weak correlations between sorption coefficient (Kd) and OC alone (R2 = 0.05-0.07). When only laboratory-derived Kd values of PFASs and OC were analysed, the R2 values increased for PFOA (R2 = 0.24, n = 42), PFOS (R2 = 0.38, n = 69), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA, R2 = 0.77 n = 12), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA, R2 = 0.78, n = 13). However, the relationships were heavily skewed by one or two high OC values. Similarly there was no significant relationship between Kd values and pH for PFOS (R2 = 0.06) and PFOA (R2 = 0.07), across a range of environmental pH values. Our analyses showed sorption behaviour of a range of PFASs could not be explained by a single soil or sediment property. Multiple regression models better explained the sorption behaviour of a number of PFASs. Regressions of OC and pH together explained a significant proportion of the variation in Kd values for 9 out of 14 PFASs and 8 of these regressions had ≥10 data points. This review highlighted that at least OC, pH and clay content are properties having significant effect on sorption. There is a clear need for more data and studies with thorough characterisation of soils or sediments to better understand their role in PFASs sorption. Current assessments based on OC alone are likely to be erroneous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasong Li
- CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, 5064, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Danielle P Oliver
- CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, 5064, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Rai S Kookana
- CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, 5064, South Australia, Australia; University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, 5064, South Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hamid H, Li LY. Fate of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in sewage sludge during microwave-assisted persulfate oxidation treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:10126-10134. [PMID: 29484619 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1576-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The fate of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been investigated for an emerging sludge treatment technique using microwave heating-assisted persulfate (PS) oxidation. The effect of heating temperature (20, 50, and 70 °C) and PS dose (PS1: 0.01; PS2: 0.1; PS3: 0.2 g/g wet sludge) was studied in sludge spiked with PFOA at an environmentally relevant concentration (200 ng/g wet weight). Control degradation experiments using spiked sludge without PS addition and background sludge (no PFOA spike) with PS addition were also conducted at each temperature. Sludge samples were analyzed for eight perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) (C4 - C11) using LC-MS/MS. At 20 °C (PS2 dose), minimal (~ 5%) removal of the spiked PFOA was observed after 72 h, suggesting the need for elevated treatment temperature. For the same PS dose (0.1 g /g sludge), treatment at 50 and 70 °C showed a decrease in PFOA concentration with increasing temperature, with ~ 28 and ~ 42% removal following 4 h of treatment. No significant increase in degradation was observed for the highest dose (PS3) after 2 h, possibly indicating self-scavenging of PS at high dosage. Due to the low initial spiking concentration of PFOA and low extraction recovery, all shorter-chain PFCAs (< C8), the degradation products of PFOA, were below quantification limits in all sludge samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Hamid
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Loretta Y Li
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Heydebreck F, Tang J, Xie Z, Ebinghaus R. Emissions of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in a Textile Manufacturing Plant in China and Their Relevance for Workers' Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:10386-10396. [PMID: 27617679 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The manufacturing of high-performance fabrics requires numerous chemical treatment steps that involve the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) to protect apparel against water, stain, and oil penetration. However, air and wastewater emissions of PFASs generated during this manufacturing are a potential threat to both factory workers and the environment. We investigated the occurrence and distribution of PFASs in wastewater, air, airborne particles, and settled dust in a textile manufacturing plant in China. PFOA and PFDA or their precursor compounds 8:2 FTOH and 10:2 FTOH were the dominant compounds in all environmental media tested, revealing that long-chain PFASs were preferably used for the manufacturing of functional garments. Besides, PFASs were detected along the textile manufacturing chain, indicating that they were used as durable water repellents and as surfactants in, for example, coating agents. The workers' exposure to FTOHs via air inhalation was up to 5 orders of magnitude higher than the background exposure of the general western population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study providing information regarding the emission of PFASs during the manufacturing of textiles via various environmental media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Heydebreck
- Department for Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht , Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg , Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jianhui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, CAS , Yantai 264003, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyong Xie
- Department for Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht , Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ralf Ebinghaus
- Department for Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht , Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| |
Collapse
|