Transport and fate of aqueous film forming foam in an urban estuary

Spatial and temporal distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detected after an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) spill

In 2015, > 460,000 L of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and fire suppressors containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were used to combat a fire at a petrochemical fuel storage terminal in the Port of Santos (Brazil). Sediments from seven sites were sampled repeatedly from 2 weeks to 1 year after the fire (n = 30). Ʃ15PFAS concentrations ranged from 115 to 15,931 pg g-1 dry weight (dw). Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the most frequently detected compound with concentrations ranging from 363 to 4517 (average = 1603) pg g-1dw to <47.1 to 642 (average = 401) pg g-1 dw, followed by perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (from 38.8 to 219 (average = 162) pg g-1 dw after 15 days and from <20.8 to 161 (average = 101) pg g-1 dw one year later). Together, the hydrodynamics and fire events documented in the region were important features explaining the spread of PFAS.

The untold story of PFAS alternatives: Insights into the occurrence, ecotoxicological impacts, and removal strategies in the aquatic environment

Due to increasing regulations on the production and consumption of legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the global use of PFAS substitutes increased tremendously, posing serious environmental risks owing to their bioaccumulation, toxicity, and lack of removal strategies. This review summarized the spatial distribution of alternative PFAS and their ecological risks in global freshwater and marine ecosystems. Further, toxicological effects of novel PFAS in various freshwater and marine species were highlighted. Moreover, degradation mechanisms for alternative PFAS removal from aquatic environments were compared and discussed. The spatial distribution showed that 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 CI-PFAES, also known as F-53B) was the most dominant emerging PFAS found in freshwater. Additionally, the highest levels of PFBS and PFBA were observed in marine waters (West Pacific Ocean). Moreover, short-chain PFAS exhibited higher concentrations than long-chain congeners. The ecological risk quotients (RQs) for phytoplankton were relatively higher >1 than invertebrates, indicating a higher risk for freshwater phytoplankton species. Similarly, in marine water, the majority of PFAS substitutes exhibited negligible risk for invertebrates and fish, and posed elevated risks for phytoplanktons. Reviewed studies showed that alternative PFAS undergo bioaccumulation and cause deleterious effects such as oxidative stress, hepatoxicity, neurotoxicity, histopathological alterations, behavioral and growth abnormalities, reproductive toxicity and metabolism defects in freshwater and marine species. Regarding PFAS treatment methods, photodegradation, photocatalysis, and adsorption showed promising degradation approaches with efficiencies as high as 90%. Finally, research gaps and future perspectives for alternative PFAS toxicological implications and their removal were offered.

Unregulated Active and Closed Textile Mills Represent a Significant Vector of PFAS Contamination into Coastal Rivers

Despite concerns over the ubiquity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), little is known about the diversity of input sources to surface waters and their seasonal dynamics. Frequent use of PFAS in textiles means both active and closed textile mills require evaluation as PFAS sources. We deployed passive samplers at seven sites in an urban river and estuary adjacent to textile mills in Southern Rhode Island (USA) over 12 months. We estimated monthly mass flows (g month-1) of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA: 45±56), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA: 30±45) from the upstream river influenced by an active mill. Average mass flows were 73-155% higher downstream, where historical textile waste lagoons contributed long chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA). Mass flows of PFNA increased from 7.5 to 21 g month-1 between the upstream and downstream portions of the rivers. Distinct grouping of the two main PFAS sources, active textile mills and historical waste lagoons, were identified using principal components analysis. Neither suspect screening nor extractable organofluorine analysis revealed measurable PFAS were missing beyond the targeted compounds. This research demonstrates that both closed and active textile mills are important ongoing PFAS sources to freshwater and marine regions and should be further evaluated as a source category.

Dietary exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Potential health impacts on human liver

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dubbed "forever chemicals", are widely present in the environment. Environmental contamination and food contact substances are the main sources of PFAS in food, increasing the risk of human dietary exposure. Numerous epidemiological studies have established the link between dietary exposure to PFAS and liver disease. Correspondingly, PFAS induced-hepatotoxicity (e.g., hepatomegaly, cell viability, inflammation, oxidative stress, bile acid metabolism dysregulation and glycolipid metabolism disorder) observed from in vitro models and in vivo rodent studies have been extensively reported. In this review, the pertinent literature of the last 5 years from the Web of Science database was researched. This study summarized the source and fate of PFAS, and reviewed the occurrence of PFAS in food system (natural and processed food). Subsequently, the characteristics of human dietary exposure PFAS (population characteristics, distribution trend, absorption and distribution) were mentioned. Additionally, epidemiologic evidence linking PFAS exposure and liver disease was alluded, and the PFAS-induced hepatotoxicity observed from in vitro models and in vivo rodent studies was comprehensively reviewed. Lastly, we highlighted several critical knowledge gaps and proposed future research directions. This review aims to raise public awareness about food PFAS contamination and its potential risks to human liver health.

Emerging and legacy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water around three international airports in China

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large category of crucial environmental contaminants of global concerns. There are limited data on PFAS in surface water around international airports in China. The present study investigated the concentrations, distributions, and sources of emerging and legacy PFAS in surface waters around Beijing Capital International Airport (BC), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (SP), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (GB) in China. Twenty-seven target compounds were quantified. The Σ27PFAS concentrations ranged from 19.0 to 62.8 ng/L (mean 36.1 ng/L) in BC, 25.6-342 ng/L (mean 76.0 ng/L) in SP, 7.35-72.7 ng/L (mean 21.6 ng/L) in GB. The dominant compound was perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which accounted for an average of 27% (5%-65%) of the Σ27PFAS concentrations. The alternatives with -C6F12- group had detection frequencies ranging from 72% to 100%. The partition coefficient results indicate that the longer chain PFAS (C > 8) tend to be more distributed in the particle phase. Fifty suspect and nontarget PFAS were identified. In GB, 44 PFAS were identified, more than SP of 39 and BC of 38. An ultra short-chain (C = 2) precursor, N-methylperfluoroethanesulfonamido acetic acid (MeFEtSAA), was identified and semi-quantified. Domestic wastewater discharges might be the main sources around BC, while industrial and aviation activities might be the main sources around SP and GB.

Ecological characteristics impact PFAS concentrations in a U.S. North Atlantic food web

This is the first comprehensive study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a coastal food web of the U.S. North Atlantic, in which we characterize the presence and concentrations of 24 targeted PFAS across 18 marine species from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and surrounding waters. These species reflect the diversity of a typical North Atlantic Ocean food web with organisms from a variety of taxa, habitat types, and feeding guilds. Many of these organisms have no previously reported information on PFAS tissue concentrations. We found significant relationships of PFAS concentrations with respect to various ecological characteristics including species, body size, habitat, feeding guild, and location of collection. Based upon the 19 PFAS detected in the study (5 were not detected in samples), benthic omnivores (American lobsters = 10.5 ng/g ww, winter skates = 5.77 ng/g ww, Cancer crabs = 4.59 ng/g ww) and pelagic piscivores (striped bass = 8.50 ng/g ww, bluefish = 4.30 ng/g ww) demonstrated the greatest average ∑PFAS concentrations across all species sampled. Further, American lobsters had the highest concentrations detected in individuals (∑PFAS up to 21.1 ng/g ww, which consisted primarily of long-chain PFCAs). The calculation of field-based trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for the top 8 detected PFAS determined that perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) associated with the pelagic habitat biomagnified, whereas perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) associated with the benthic habitat demonstrated trophic dilution in this food web (calculated trophic levels ranged from 1.65 to 4.97). While PFAS exposure to these organisms may have adverse implications for ecological impacts via toxicological effects, many of these species are also key recreational and commercial fisheries resulting in potential for human exposure via dietary consumption.

Impacts of Environmental and Engineered Processes on the PFAS Fingerprint of Fluorotelomer-Based AFFF

Forensic analysis can potentially be used to determine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) sources at contaminated sites. However, fluorotelomer aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) sources are difficult to identify because the polyfluorinated active ingredients do not have authentic standards and because the parent compounds can undergo transformation and differential transport, resulting in alteration of the PFAS distribution or fingerprint. In this study, we investigate changes in the PFAS fingerprint of fluorotelomer-derived AFFF due to environmental and engineered processes, including groundwater transport, surface water flow, and land application of contaminated biosolids. Fingerprint analysis supplemented by quantification of precursors and identification of suspected active ingredients shows a clear correlation between a fluorotelomer AFFF manufacturer and surface water of nearby Lake Michigan, demonstrating contamination (>100 ng/L PFOA) of the lake due to migration of an AFFF-impacted groundwater plume. In contrast, extensive processing during wastewater treatment and environmental transport results in large changes to the AFFF fingerprint near agricultural fields where contaminated biosolids were spread. At biosolids-impacted sites, the presence of active ingredients confirms contamination by fluorotelomer AFFF. While sediments can retain longer-chain PFAS, this study demonstrates that aqueous samples are most relevant for PFAS fingerprinting in complex sites, particularly where shorter-chain compounds have been used.

Field Validation of a Novel Passive Sampler for Dissolved PFAS in Surface Waters

Numerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of growing concern worldwide due to their ubiquitous presence, bioaccumulation and adverse effects. Surface waters in the United States have displayed elevated concentrations of PFAS, but so far discrete water sampling has been the commonly applied sampling approach. In the present study we field-tested a novel integrative passive sampler, a microporous polyethylene tube, and derived sampling rates (Rs ) for nine PFAS in surface waters. Three sampling campaigns were conducted, deploying polyethylene tube passive samplers in the effluent of two wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and across Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) for 1 month each in 2017 and 2018. Passive samplers exhibited linear uptake of PFAS in the WWTP effluents over 16-29 days, with in situ Rs for nine PFAS ranging from 10 ml day-1 (perfluoropentanoic acid) to 29 ml day-1 (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid). Similar sampling rates of 19 ± 4.8 ml day-1 were observed in estuarine field deployments. Applying these Rs values in a different WWTP effluent predicted dissolved PFAS concentrations mostly within 50% of their observations in daily composite water samples, except for perfluorobutanoic acid (where predictions from passive samplers were 3 times greater than measured values), perfluorononanoic acid (1.9 times), perfluorodecanoic acid (1.7 times), and perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (0.1 times). These results highlight the potential use of passive samplers as measurement and assessment tools of PFAS in dynamic aquatic environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2375-2385. © 2022 SETAC.