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Wu H, Wang J, Du E, Guo H. Comparative analysis of UV-initiated ARPs for degradation of the emerging substitute of perfluorinated compounds: Does defluorination mean the sole factor? JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134687. [PMID: 38805816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Due to the increasing attention for the residual of per- and polyfluorinated compounds in environmental water, Sodium p-Perfluorous Nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) have been considered as an alternative solution for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). However, recent detections of elevated OBS concentrations in oil fields and Frontal polymerization foams have raised environmental concerns leading to the decontamination exploration for this compound. In this study, three advanced reduction processes including UV-Sulfate (UV-SF), UV-Iodide (UV-KI) and UV-Nitrilotriacetic acid (UV-NTA) were selected to evaluate the removal for OBS. Results revealed that hydrated electrons (eaq-) dominated the degradation and defluorination of OBS. Remarkably, the UV-KI exhibited the highest removal rate (0.005 s-1) and defluorination efficiency (35 %) along with the highest concentration of eaq- (K = -4.651). Despite that nucleophilic attack from eaq- on sp2 carbon and H/F exchange were discovered as the general mechanism, high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/Q-TOF-MS) analysis with density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed the diversified products and routes. Intermediates with lowest fluorine content for UV-KI were identified, the presence nitrogen-containing intermediates were revealed in the UV-NTA. Notably, the nitrogen-containing intermediates displayed the enhanced toxicity, and the iodine poly-fluorinated intermediates could be a potential-threat compared to the superior defluorination performance for UV-KI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Jingquan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Erdeng Du
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Hongguang Guo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
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2
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Glover CM, Pazoki F, Munoz G, Sauvé S, Liu J. Applying the modified UV-activated TOP assay to complex matrices impacted by aqueous film-forming foams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171292. [PMID: 38432371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large chemical family, and numerous chemical species can co-exist in environmental samples, especially those impacted by aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Given the limited availability of chemical standards, capturing the total amount of PFAS is challenging. Thus, the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay has been developed to estimate the total amount of PFAS via the oxidative conversion of precursors into perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs). This study aims to enhance the robustness of the TOP assay by replacing heat activation with UV activation. We evaluated the molar yields of known precursors in water in the presence of varying levels of Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) and in two soils. The impact of UV activation was also evaluated in two soils spiked with three well-characterized AFFFs, six AFFF-impacted field soils, and nine rinse samples of AFFF-impacted stainless-steel pipe. In the presence of 100 mg/L SNROM, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS), 8:2 FTS, and N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-EtFOSAA) in deionized water had good molar recovery as PFCAs (average of 102 ± 9.8 %); at 500 mg/L SNROM, the recovery significantly dropped to an average of 51 ± 19 %. In two soils (with 4 % and 8.8 % organic matter) with individual precursor spikes, the average molar recovery was 101 ± 9.4 %, except N-EtFOSAA, which had a reduced recovery in the soil with 8.8 % organic matter (OM). UV-activated assays outperformed heat-activated ones, especially in AFFF-impacted soils and pipe extract samples, with an average of 1.4-1.5× higher PFCA recovery. In almost all test samples, UV activation resulted in a notable shift towards longer PFCA chain lengths, particularly for samples with high OM content. The study confirmed the advantages of UV activation, including a significantly shortened exposure time (1 h vs. 6 h) and reduced matrix effects from OM due to the dual functions of UV in activating persulfate and photodegrading OM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Glover
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Faezeh Pazoki
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Département de chimie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Département de chimie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada.
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3
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Davern MJ, West GV, Eichler CMA, Turpin BJ, Zhang Y, Surratt JD. External liquid calibration method for iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometry enables quantification of gas-phase per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) dynamics in indoor air. Analyst 2024. [PMID: 38712891 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00100a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured chemicals that have been detected across the globe. Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) are one PFAS class commonly found in indoor air due to emissions from consumer products (e.g., textiles and food packaging) and are human metabolic, atmospheric oxidative, and industrial precursors of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). We developed a quantitative method for real-time analysis of gas-phase FTOHs, perfluoroalkyl acids (PFCAs and GenX), one perfluorooctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA), one fluorotelomer diol (FTdiOH), and one fluorinated ether (E2) using high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometry equipped with iodide reagent ion chemistry (I-HR-ToF-CIMS). Herein, we present a direct liquid injection method for external calibration, providing detection limits of 0.19-3.1 pptv for 3 s averaging and 0.02-0.44 pptv for 120 s averaging, with the exception of E2, which had detection limits of 1700 and 220 pptv for 3- and 120 s averaging, respectively. These calibrations enabled real-time gas-phase quantification of 6 : 2 FTOH in room air while microwaving popcorn, with an average peak air concentration of 31.6 ± 4.5 pptv measured 2 meters from a closed microwave. Additionally, 8 : 2 and 10 : 2 FTOH concentrations in indoor air were measured in the presence and absence of a rain jacket, with observed peak concentrations of 110 and 25 pptv, respectively. Our work demonstrates the ability of I-HR-ToF-CIMS to provide real-time air measurements of PFAS relevant to indoor human exposure settings and allow for PFAS source identification. We expect that real-time quantification of other gas-phase PFAS classes is possible, enabling advances in understanding PFAS sources, chemistry, and partitioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Davern
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27514.
| | - Gabrielle V West
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27514.
| | - Clara M A Eichler
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27599
| | - Barbara J Turpin
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27599
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA 77843.
| | - Jason D Surratt
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27514.
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 27599
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4
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Jovanović M, Müller V, Feldmann J, Leitner E. Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in raw materials intended for the production of paper-based food contact materials - evaluating LC-MS/MS versus total fluorine and extractable organic fluorine. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2024; 41:525-536. [PMID: 38530104 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2332334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis has become crucial due to their presence in the environment, their persistence and potential health risks. These compounds are commonly used in food contact materials (FCM) as a coating to provide water and grease-repellent properties. One of the pathways for PFAS to enter the human body is either through direct consumption of contaminated food or indirectly through migration from FCM into food. The purpose of this study was to investigate where the initial contamination of paper FCM occurs. We analysed paper material consisting of fresh fibre and secondary materials, intended to produce food packaging for the presence of PFAS. The samples were extracted and analysed for 23 different PFAS substances using the targeted approach with LC tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This analytical technique detects specific, easily ionisable PFAS with high sensitivity. However, one drawback of this approach is that it allows the identification of less than 1% of the PFAS known today. For this reason, we used combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to determine the content of extractable organic fluorine compounds (EOF) and compare it to the total fluorine content. The targeted analysis using LC-MS/MS measured an average sum concentration of PFAS of 0.17 ng g-1 sample. Our research shows that the primary PFAS contamination happens during the recycling process since all of the samples in which the targeted PFAS were measured belonged to the secondary material. The most frequently detected analytes were PFOA and PFOS, detected in 90% and 62% of the samples, respectively, followed by PFBS (in 29% of the samples). CIC showed that measured PFAS via LC-MS/MS amount to an average of 2.7 × 10-4% of total fluorine content, whereas the EOF was under the LOD in all of the measured samples. This result highlights the complexity of the accurate determination of PFAS compounds, displaying what kind of information the chosen methods provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Jovanović
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Müller
- The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- TESLA - Analytical Chemistry, Institute for Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- TESLA - Analytical Chemistry, Institute for Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Erich Leitner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Graz, Austria
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Han G, Song S, Lu Y, Zhang M, Du D, Wu Q, Yang S, Wang R, Cui H, Yang L, Mao R, Sun B, Sweetman AJ, Wu Y. Simulating behavior of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the mainstream of a river system with sluice regulations. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141302. [PMID: 38286309 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141302] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent, anionic and ubiquitous contaminant that undergoes long-range transport within the environment. Its behavior has attracted wide-range academic and regulatory attention. In this article, a mass balance model was employed to simulate PFOS concentrations in the mainstream of Haihe River water system, encompassing sluices and artificial rivers. The dynamic simulation of PFOS concentrations in both sediment and freshwater took into account fluctuations in PFOS emissions, water levels and water discharge. Furthermore, the study delved into exploring the impacts of sluices and artificial rivers on the behavior of PFOS. The simulated concentrations of PFOS in steady state agreed with the measured concentrations in surveys carried out in Nov. 2019, July 2020, Oct. 2020, and June 2021. Every year, approximately 24 kg PFOS was discharged into the Bohai Sea with Chaobai New River being the largest contributor for 44 %. Moreover, the transport of PFOS in the original rivers is likely to be restricted by sluices and replaced by artificial rivers. Monte Carlo analysis showed that model predictions of PFOS concentrations in sediment were subject to greater uncertainty than those in freshwater as the former is impacted by more parameters, such as density of sediment. This study provides a scientific basis for the local government to manage and control PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuai Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yonglong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Di Du
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shengjie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Haotian Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Andrew J Sweetman
- Lancaster Environmental Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Yanqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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6
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Kim Y, Pike KA, Gray R, Sprankle JW, Faust JA, Edmiston PL. Non-targeted identification and semi-quantitation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US rainwater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1771-1787. [PMID: 36341487 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00349j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to screen for emerging per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in precipitation samples collected in summer 2019 at seven sites in the United States. We previously quantified the concentration of ten PFAS in the rainwater samples using the method of isotopic dilution (Pike et al., 2021). Nine of these targeted analytes belonged to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Screening Level list, herein referred to as EPA-monitored analytes. In this new work, we identify emerging PFAS compounds by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Several emerging PFAS were detected across all samples, with the most prevalent compounds being C3-C8 hydrogen-substituted perfluorocarboxylic acids (H-PFCAs) and fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs). Concentrations of emerging PFAS were in the 10-1000 ng L-1 range (approximately 1-2 orders of magnitude greater than EPA-monitored PFAS) at all sites except Wooster, OH, where concentrations were even higher, with a maximum estimated ΣPFAS of 16 400 ng L-1. The elevated levels of emerging PFAS in the Wooster samples were predominantly even and odd chain-length H-PFCAs and FTCAs comprised of complex mixtures of branched isomers. This unique composition did not match any known manufactured PFAS formulation reported to date, but it could represent thermally transformed by-products emitted by a local point source. Overall, the results indicate that PFAS outside of the standard analyte lists make up a significant and previously unappreciated fraction of contaminants in rainwater collected within the central U.S.-and potentially world-wide-especially in proximity to localized point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
| | - Kyndal A Pike
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
- Department of Mathematical & Computational Sciences, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
| | - Rebekah Gray
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
| | - Jameson W Sprankle
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
| | | | - Paul L Edmiston
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
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7
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Mendo Diaz O, Tell A, Knobloch M, Canonica E, Walder C, Buser AM, Stalder U, Bigler L, Kern S, Bleiner D, Heeb NV. Fingerprinting of chlorinated paraffins and their transformation products in plastic consumer products. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139552. [PMID: 37480948 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139552] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) can be classified according to their length as short-chain (SC, C10-C13), medium-chain (MC, C14-C17) and long-chain (LC, C ≥ 18) CPs. Technical CP-mixtures can contain a wide range of carbon- (C-, nC = 10-30) and chlorine- (Cl-, nCl = 3-19) homologues. CPs are high-production volume chemicals (>106 t/y). They are used as flame-retardants, plasticizers and coolant fluids. Due to the persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range environmental transport potential and adverse effects, SCCPs are regulated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention. Transformation of CPs can lead to the formation of unsaturated compounds such as chlorinated mono- (CO), di- (CdiO) and tri-olefins (CtriO). Such transformation reactions can occur at different stages of CP manipulation providing characteristic C-/Cl-homologue distributions. All this results in unique patterns that collectively create a fingerprint, which can be distinguished from CP-containing samples. Therefore, CP-fingerprinting can develop into a promising tool for future source apportionment studies and with it, the reduction of environmental burden of CPs and hazards to humans. Herein, CP-containing plastics were studied to establish fingerprints and develop this method. We analyzed four household items by reverse-phase liquid-chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source and an Orbitrap mass analyzer (RP-LC-APCI-Orbitrap-MS) operated at a resolution of 120000 (FWHM at m/z 200). MS-data of different CP-, CO-, CdiO- and CtriO-homologues were efficiently processed with an R-based automatic mass spectra evaluation routine (RASER). From the 16720 ions searched for, up to 4300 ions per sample were assigned to 340 C-/Cl-homologues of CPs and their transformation products. Specific fingerprints were deduced from the C-/Cl-homologues distributions, the carbon- (nC) and chlorine- (nCl) numbers and saturation degree. These fingerprints were compared with the ones obtained by a GC-ECNI-Orbitrap-MS method.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Mendo Diaz
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - A Tell
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Zürich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - M Knobloch
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - E Canonica
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Zürich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - C Walder
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - A M Buser
- Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, Monbijoustrasse 40, 3003, Bern, Switzerland
| | - U Stalder
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - L Bigler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - S Kern
- Zürich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - D Bleiner
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - N V Heeb
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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Joseph NT, Schwichtenberg T, Cao D, Jones GD, Rodowa AE, Barlaz MA, Charbonnet JA, Higgins CP, Field JA, Helbling DE. Target and Suspect Screening Integrated with Machine Learning to Discover Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Source Fingerprints. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14351-14362. [PMID: 37696050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
This study elucidates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) fingerprints for specific PFAS source types. Ninety-two samples were collected from aqueous film-forming foam impacted groundwater (AFFF-GW), landfill leachate, biosolids leachate, municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent (WWTP), and wastewater effluent from the pulp and paper and power generation industries. High-resolution mass spectrometry operated with electrospray ionization in negative mode was used to quantify up to 50 target PFASs and screen and semi-quantify up to 2,266 suspect PFASs in each sample. Machine learning classifiers were used to identify PFASs that were diagnostic of each source type. Four C5-C7 perfluoroalkyl acids and one suspect PFAS (trihydrogen-substituted fluoroethernonanoic acid) were diagnostic of AFFF-GW. Two target PFASs (5:3 and 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acids) and two suspect PFASs (4:2 fluorotelomer-thia-acetic acid and N-methylperfluoropropane sulfonamido acetic acid) were diagnostic of landfill leachate. Biosolids leachates were best classified along with landfill leachates and N-methyl and N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid assisted in that classification. WWTP, pulp and paper, and power generation samples contained few target PFASs, but fipronil (a fluorinated insecticide) was diagnostic of WWTP samples. Our results provide PFAS fingerprints for known sources and identify target and suspect PFASs that can be used for source allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayantara T Joseph
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Trever Schwichtenberg
- Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Dunping Cao
- Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Gerrad D Jones
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Alix E Rodowa
- National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Morton A Barlaz
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Joseph A Charbonnet
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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9
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Dewapriya P, Nilsson S, Ghorbani Gorji S, O’Brien JW, Bräunig J, Gómez Ramos MJ, Donaldson E, Samanipour S, Martin JW, Mueller JF, Kaserzon SL, Thomas KV. Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Discovered in Cattle Exposed to AFFF-Impacted Groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13635-13645. [PMID: 37648245 PMCID: PMC10501377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from Australian firefighting training grounds has resulted in extensive contamination of groundwater and nearby farmlands. Humans, farm animals, and wildlife in these areas may have been exposed to complex mixtures of PFASs from aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). This study aimed to identify PFAS classes in pooled whole blood (n = 4) and serum (n = 4) from cattle exposed to AFFF-impacted groundwater and potentially discover new PFASs in blood. Thirty PFASs were identified at various levels of confidence (levels 1a-5a), including three novel compounds: (i) perfluorohexanesulfonamido 2-hydroxypropanoic acid (FHxSA-HOPrA), (ii) methyl((perfluorohexyl)sulfonyl)sulfuramidous acid, and (iii) methyl((perfluorooctyl)sulfonyl)sulfuramidous acid, belonging to two different classes. Biotransformation intermediate, perfluorohexanesulfonamido propanoic acid (FHxSA-PrA), hitherto unreported in biological samples, was detected in both whole blood and serum. Furthermore, perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides, including perfluoropropane sulfonamide (FPrSA), perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), and perfluorohexane sulfonamide (FHxSA) were predominantly detected in whole blood, suggesting that these accumulate in the cell fraction of blood. The suspect screening revealed several fluoroalkyl chain-substituted PFAS. The results suggest that targeting only the major PFASs in the plasma or serum of AFFF-exposed mammals likely underestimates the toxicological risks associated with exposure. Future studies of AFFF-exposed populations should include whole-blood analysis with high-resolution mass spectrometry to understand the true extent of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Dewapriya
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Sara Ghorbani Gorji
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Jake W. O’Brien
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
- Van
‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Bräunig
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - María José Gómez Ramos
- Department
of Chemistry and Physics, University of
Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3
(ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento
s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería 04120, Spain
| | - Eric Donaldson
- Aviation
Medical Specialist, The Australasian Faculty of Occupational &
Environmental Medicine (AFOEM), The Royal
Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
| | - Saer Samanipour
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
- Van
‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan W. Martin
- Department
of Environmental Science (ACES, Exposure & Effects), Science for
Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Jochen F. Mueller
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Sarit L. Kaserzon
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin V. Thomas
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
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10
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Jacob P, Helbling DE. Exploring the Evolution of Organofluorine-Containing Compounds during Simulated Photolithography Experiments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12819-12828. [PMID: 37590049 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
One potential source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in electronics fabrication wastewater are the organofluorine-containing compounds used in photolithography materials such as photoresists and top antireflective coatings (TARCs). However, the exact identities of these constituents are unknown and transformation reactions that may occur during photolithography may result in the formation of unknown or unexpected PFASs. To address this knowledge gap, we acquired five commercially relevant photolithography materials, characterized the occurrence of organofluorine-containing compounds in each material, and performed simulated photolithography experiments to stimulate any potential transformation reactions. We found that photoresists and TARCs have total fluorine (TF) concentrations in the g L-1 range, similar to the levels of other industrial and commercial products. However, the target and suspect PFASs present in these materials can only explain up to 20% of the TF in a material. We evaluated wastewater samples collected after simulated photolithography experiments and used a mass balance approach to assess the extent of transformations. Although a number of target, suspect, and nontarget PFASs were identified in the wastewater samples, the extent of transformation was limited and the fluorine contained in the PFASs could not explain more than an additional 1% of the TF in the photolithography materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Jacob
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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11
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Gobelius L, Glimstedt L, Olsson J, Wiberg K, Ahrens L. Mass flow of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a Swedish municipal wastewater network and wastewater treatment plant. CHEMOSPHERE 2023:139182. [PMID: 37302497 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PER: and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitously distributed in wastewater, due to their numerous uses in industry and consumer products, but little is known of PFAS mass flows in municipal wastewater network systems and within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study assessed mass flows of 26 PFAS in a wastewater network and WWTP, to provide new insights into their sources, transport, and fate in different treatment steps. Wastewater and sludge samples were collected from pumping stations and the main WWTP in Uppsala, Sweden. PFAS composition profiles and mass flows were used to identify sources within the sewage network. Wastewater from one pumping station showed elevated concentrations of C3-C8 PFCA, likely caused by an industrial source, and two stations had elevated concentrations of 6:2 FTSA, probably originating from a nearby firefighter training facility. Within the WWTP, short-chain PFAS dominated in wastewater, whereas long-chain PFAS dominated in sludge. The ratio of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA) and ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (EtFOSAA) to ∑26PFAS decreased during the WWTP process, likely due to sorption to sludge, but also transformation (EtFOSAA). Overall, PFAS were not efficiently removed in the WWTP, with mean removal efficiency of 10 ± 68% for individual PFAS, resulting in discharge of 7000 mg d-1 ∑26PFAS into the recipient. This shows that conventional WWTPs are inefficient in removing PFAS from wastewater and sludge, so advanced treatment techniques are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gobelius
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linda Glimstedt
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jesper Olsson
- Uppsala Vatten Och Avfall AB, Box 1444, 75144, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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12
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Simon F, Gehrenkemper L, Becher S, Dierkes G, Langhammer N, Cossmer A, von der Au M, Göckener B, Fliedner A, Rüdel H, Koschorreck J, Meermann B. Quantification and characterization of PFASs in suspended particulate matter (SPM) of German rivers using EOF, dTOPA, (non-)target HRMS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 885:163753. [PMID: 37121317 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we compare analytical methods for PFAS determination-target analysis, non-target screening (NTS), direct total oxidizable precursor assay (dTOPA) and extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF). Therefore, suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples from German rivers at different locations in time series from 2005 to 2020 were analyzed to investigate temporal and spatially resolved trends. In this study 3 PFAS mass balances approaches were utilized: (i) PFAA target vs. PFAS dTOPA, (ii) PFAS target vs. EOF and (iii) PFAS target vs. PFAS dTOPA vs. organofluorines NTS vs. EOF. Mass balance approach (i) revealed high proportions of precursor substances in SPM samples. For the time resolved analysis an increase from 94% (2005) to 97% in 2019 was observable. Also for the spatial resolved analysis precursor proportions were high with >84% at all sampling sites. Mass balance approach (ii) showed that the unidentified EOF (uEOF) fraction increased over time from 82% (2005) to 99% (2019). Furthermore, along the river courses the uEOF increased. In the combined mass balance approach (iii) using 4 different analytical approaches EOF fractions were further unraveled. The EOF pattern was fully explainable at the sampling sites at Saar and Elbe rivers. For the time resolved analysis, an increased proportion of the EOF was now explainable. However, still 27% of the EOF for the time resolved analysis and 25% of the EOF for the spatial resolved analysis remained unknown. Therefore, in a complementary approach, both the EOF and dTOPA reveal unknown gaps in the PFAS mass balance and are valuable contributions to PFAS risk assessment. Further research is needed to identify organofluorines summarized in the EOF parameter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Simon
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Gehrenkemper
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Becher
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Department G2 - Aquatic Chemistry, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Georg Dierkes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Department G2 - Aquatic Chemistry, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Nicole Langhammer
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antje Cossmer
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus von der Au
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Göckener
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Fraunhofer IME), 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Annette Fliedner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Fraunhofer IME), 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Heinz Rüdel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Fraunhofer IME), 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Jan Koschorreck
- German Environment Agency (UBA), 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Björn Meermann
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
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13
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Mu H, Wang J, Chen L, Hu H, Wang J, Gu C, Ren H, Wu B. Identification and characterization of diverse isomers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Chinese municipal wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119580. [PMID: 36638730 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Linear and branched isomers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are simultaneously present in the environment. However, isomer profiles of PFASs in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are still unknown because of the limitations of standards. Here, influent and effluent samples from 148 municipal WWTPs in China were collected. Ion mobility spectrometry was introduced into high-resolution mass spectrometry-based suspect screening methods to identify the target and suspect PFAS isomers. A total of 38 branched isomers of 14 typical PFASs were identified in wastewater samples. Linear PFASs had higher detection rates (22.3%-100%) than branched isomers (2.0%-98%). Compared to the influents, proportions of branched isomers of most PFASs (except for perfluoropentanoic acid and perfluorohexanoic acid) increased in the effluents. The conventional biological treatment processes (such as anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic and oxidation ditch treatments) had poor removal efficiency for linear PFASs (<21.4%) and branched isomers (<13.4%). No difference on removal efficiency among treatment processes was found. Furthermore, isomer composition in the WWTPs showed obvious differences between East China region and other regions, and the usage of short-chain PFASs (perfluorobutanesulfonic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid) may be a key factor for driving this difference. This study sheds lights on the identification and characterization of PFAS isomers in WWTPs, which would be useful for development of monitoring and control strategies of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Haidong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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14
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Balgooyen S, Remucal CK. Impacts of Environmental and Engineered Processes on the PFAS Fingerprint of Fluorotelomer-Based AFFF. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:244-254. [PMID: 36573898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Balgooyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Christina K Remucal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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15
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Pickard HM, Ruyle BJ, Thackray CP, Chovancova A, Dassuncao C, Becanova J, Vojta S, Lohmann R, Sunderland EM. PFAS and Precursor Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Recreational Fish: Implications for Fish Advisories. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15573-15583. [PMID: 36280234 PMCID: PMC9670858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that include perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), which are widely used in modern commerce. Many products and environmental samples contain abundant precursors that can degrade into terminal PFAA associated with adverse health effects. Fish consumption is an important dietary exposure source for PFAS that bioaccumulate in food webs. However, little is known about bioaccumulation of PFAA precursors. Here, we identify and quantify PFAS in recreational fish species collected from surface waters across New Hampshire, US, using a toolbox of analytical methods. Targeted analysis of paired water and tissue samples suggests that many precursors below detection in water have a higher bioaccumulation potential than their terminal PFAA. Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), a short-chain precursor produced by electrochemical fluorination, was detected in all fish samples analyzed for this compound. The total oxidizable precursor assay interpreted using Bayesian inference revealed fish muscle tissue contained additional, short-chain precursors in high concentration samples. Suspect screening analysis indicated these were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors with three and five perfluorinated carbons. Fish consumption advisories are primarily being developed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), but this work reinforces the need for risk evaluations to consider additional bioaccumulative PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M. Pickard
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Bridger J. Ruyle
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Colin P. Thackray
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Adela Chovancova
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Eastern
Research Group, Inc., Arlington, Virginia 22201, United States
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Simon Vojta
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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16
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Londhe K, Lee CS, McDonough CA, Venkatesan AK. The Need for Testing Isomer Profiles of Perfluoroalkyl Substances to Evaluate Treatment Processes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15207-15219. [PMID: 36314557 PMCID: PMC9670843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Many environmentally relevant poly-/perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exist in different isomeric (branched and linear) forms in the natural environment. The isomeric distribution of PFASs in the environment and source waters is largely controlled by the source of contamination and varying physicochemical properties imparted by their structural differences. For example, branched isomers of PFOS are relatively more reactive and less sorptive compared to the linear analogue. As a result, the removal of branched and linear PFASs during water treatment can vary, and thus the isomeric distribution in source waters can influence the overall efficiency of the treatment process. In this paper, we highlight the need to consider the isomeric distribution of PFASs in contaminated matrices while designing appropriate remediation strategies. We additionally summarize the known occurrence and variation in the physicochemical properties of PFAS isomers influencing their detection, fate, toxicokinetics, and treatment efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Londhe
- Department
of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- New
York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Cheng-Shiuan Lee
- New
York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Research
Center for Environmental Changes, Academia
Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Carrie A. McDonough
- Department
of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Arjun K. Venkatesan
- Department
of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- New
York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794, United States
- School
of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony
Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
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17
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Liu L, Lu M, Cheng X, Yu G, Huang J. Suspect screening and nontargeted analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in representative fluorocarbon surfactants, aqueous film-forming foams, and impacted water in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107398. [PMID: 35841727 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Massive usage of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing fluorocarbon surfactants (FS) is one of the major sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, which poses negative environmental and health effects. However, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding PFAS chemical compositions in high consumption FS products which were used in AFFFs on the Chinese market and in water impacted by such products. This study firstly applied a comprehensive suspect screening and nontargeted analysis (NTA) workflow to investigate the main ionic and neutral PFAS in FS products from the largest Chinese vendor and compared with two international brands to unveil the PFAS used in AFFF. Overall, 24 classes of PFAS, including 69 compounds, were tentatively identified in FS products, and high concentrations of neutral PFAS were found in polymer-based products, indicating potential environmental risk. In addition, we applied a simplified data mining process to capture 36 PFAS from the impacted water, and the relationship among FS, AFFF concentrates and impacted water was explored. This study parsed the PFAS characteristics in AFFF-related industrial products and impacted water in China, which is instrumental for managing and controlling prioritized PFAS in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liquan Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Meiling Lu
- Agilent Technologies (China) Co. Ltd, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Xue Cheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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18
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Battye NJ, Patch DJ, Roberts DMD, O'Connor NM, Turner LP, Kueper BH, Hulley ME, Weber KP. Use of a horizontal ball mill to remediate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155506. [PMID: 35483472 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for destructive technologies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil. While planetary ball mill have been shown successful degradation of PFAS, there are issues surrounding scale up (maximum size is typically 0.5 L cylinders). While having lower energy outputs, horizontal ball mills, for which scale up is not a limiting factor, already exist at commercial/industrial sizes from the mining, metallurgic and agricultural industries, which could be re-purposed. This study evaluated the effectiveness of horizontal ball mills in degrading perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA), and aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) spiked on nepheline syenite sand. Horizontal ball milling was also applied to two different soil types (sand dominant and clay dominant) collected from a firefighting training area (FFTA). Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to track 21 target PFAS throughout the milling process. High-resolution accurate mass spectrometry was also used to identify the presence and degradation of 19 non-target fluorotelomer substances, including 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamido betaine (FtSaB), 7:3 fluorotelomer betaine (FtB), and 6:2 fluorotelomer thioether amido sulfonate (FtTAoS). In the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH), used as a co-milling reagent, PFOS, 6:2 FTSA, and the non-target fluorotelomer substances in the AFFF were found to undergo upwards of 81%, 97%, and 100% degradation, respectively. Despite the inherent added complexity associated with field soils, better PFAS degradation was observed on the FFTA soils over the spiked NSS, and more specifically, on the FFTA clay over the FFTA sand. These results held through scale-up, going from the 1 L to the 25 L cylinders. The results of this study support further scale-up in preparation for on-site pilot tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Battye
- Environmental Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - David J Patch
- Environmental Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan M D Roberts
- Environmental Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Natalia M O'Connor
- Environmental Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Lauren P Turner
- Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Bernard H Kueper
- Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Michael E Hulley
- Environmental Sciences Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Kela P Weber
- Environmental Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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19
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Tansel B. PFAS risk propagation terminology in spatial and temporal scales: Risk intensification, risk attenuation, and risk amplification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155503. [PMID: 35483458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155503] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and per fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that are used in many industrial applications to improve performance and durability of products. The CF bond is one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry which makes PFAS highly persistent in the environment. Therefore, PFAS levels have increased in different environmental compartments (air, water, soil) at global scale over time since the early 1950s. Terminology used for describing potential risks and those used in risk communication can be confusing as different disciplines use risk concepts and vocabulary that are different from those used for exposure and/or health risk assessment for hazardous materials. For example, terms such as emergent risk, emerging risk, risk intensification, risk awareness, risk perception, risk attenuation, risk amplification, and risk absorption are often misused or misinterpreted, especially in describing and communicating risks associated with PFAS in the environment or PFAS exposure. In addition, appropriate risk terms associated with psychological, social, institutional, and cultural elements are often misused. Here, appropriate risk terminology for describing and quantifying risks and health risks in reference to PFAS exposure and PFAS related risk propagation in spatial and temporal scales are explained with examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berrin Tansel
- Florida International University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, FL, USA.
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20
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Tansel B. PFAS use in electronic products and exposure risks during handling and processing of e-waste: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 316:115291. [PMID: 35584593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have been and are used in electronic products due to their unique properties that improve product quality and performance. Ubiquities and persistence of some PFAS detected in environmental samples (water, soil, air) have attracted much attention and regulatory actions in recent years. This review provides an overview of PFAS use in electronic components; trends in quantities of e-waste generation; PFAS exposure pathways during e-waste handling and processing; reported PFAS in environmental samples and samples of serum, blood, and hair collected from people living near and working at e-waste processing sites. Processes used for manufacturing electronic components (e.g., embedded processes, additive manufacturing) make recycling or materials recovery from discarded electronic units and components very difficult and unfeasible. Exposure during numerous processing steps for materials recovery and scavenging at disposal sites can result in PFAS intake through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes. Chemical risk assessment approaches have been continuously evolving to consider chemical-specific dosimetric and mechanistic information. While the metabolic fate of PFAS is not well understood, some PFAS bioaccumulate and bind to proteins (but not to lipids) in biota and humans due to their surface-active characteristics and very low solubility in water and fat. It is difficult to associate the adverse health effects due to exposure to e-waste directly to PFAS as there are other factors that could contribute to the observed adverse effects. However, PFAS have been detected in the samples collected from different environmental compartments (e.g., water, soil, leachate, blood sera, rainwater) at and near e-waste processing sites, landfills, and near electronics and optoelectronics industries indicating that e-waste collection, processing, and disposal sites are potential PFAS exposure locations. Better monitoring of e-waste handling sites and detailed epidemiological studies for at risk populations are needed for assessing potential health risks due to PFAS exposure at these sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berrin Tansel
- Florida International University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Florida, USA.
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21
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Titaley IA, Khattak J, Dong J, Olivares CI, DiGuiseppi B, Lutes CC, Field JA. Neutral Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Butyl Carbitol, and Organic Corrosion Inhibitors in Aqueous Film-Forming Foams: Implications for Vapor Intrusion and the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10785-10797. [PMID: 35852516 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), butyl carbitol, and corrosion inhibitors are components of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Volatile (neutral) fluorotelomerization (FT)- and electrochemical fluorination (ECF)-based PFAS, butyl carbitol, and organic corrosion inhibitors were quantified in 39 military specification (MilSpec), non-MilSpec, and alcohol resistant-AFFF concentrates (undiluted) from 1974 to 2010. Fluorotelomer alcohols were found only in FT-based AFFFs and N-methyl- and N-ethyl-perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides, and sulfonamido ethanols were found only in ECF-based AFFFs. Neutral PFAS and benzotriazole, 4-methylbenzotriazole, and 5-methybenzotriazole occurred at mg/L levels in the AFFFs, while butyl carbitol occurred at g/L levels. Neutral PFAS concentrations in indoor air due to vapor intrusion of a nearby undiluted AFFF release are estimated to be anywhere from 2 to >10 orders of magnitude higher than documented background indoor air concentrations. Estimated butyl carbitol and organic corrosion inhibitor concentrations were lower than and comparable to indoor concentrations recently measured, respectively. The wide range of neutral PFAS concentrations and Henry's law constants indicate that field, soil-gas measurements are needed to validate the estimations. Co-discharged butyl carbitol likely contributes to oxygen depletion in AFFF-impacted aquifers and may hinder the natural PFAS aerobic biotransformation. Organic corrosion inhibitors in AFFFs indicate that these are another source of corrosion inhibitors in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan A Titaley
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | | | - Jialin Dong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Christopher I Olivares
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | | | | | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
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22
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Stults JF, Choi YJ, Schaefer CE, Illangasekare TH, Higgins CP. Estimation of Transport Parameters of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in Unsaturated Porous Media: Critical Experimental and Modeling Improvements. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7963-7975. [PMID: 35549168 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the transport of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the vadose zone is critically important for PFAA site cleanup and risk mitigation. PFAAs exhibit several unusual and poorly understood transport behaviors, including partitioning to the air-water interface, which is currently the subject of debate. This study develops a novel use of quasi-saturated (residual air saturation) column experiments to estimate chemical partitioning parameters of both linear and branched perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in unsaturated soils. The ratio of linear-to-branched air-water interfacial partitioning constants for all six experiments was 1.62 ± 0.24, indicating significantly greater partitioning of linear PFOS isomers at the air-water interface. Standard breakthrough curve analysis and numerical inversion of HYDRUS models support the application of a Freundlich isotherm for PFOS air-water interfacial partitioning below a critical reference concentration (CRC). Data from this study and previously reported unsaturated column data on perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) were reevaluated to examine unsaturated systems for transport nonidealities. This reanalysis suggests both transport nonidealities and Freundlich isotherm behavior for PFOA below the CRC using drainage-based column methods, contrary to the assertions of the original authors. Finally, a combined Freundlich-Langmuir isotherm was proposed to describe PFAA air-water interfacial partitioning across the full range of relevant PFAA concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Stults
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 3557, United States
| | - Youn Jeong Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 3557, United States
| | - Charles E Schaefer
- CDM Smith, 110 Fieldcrest Avenue, #8, 6th Floor, Edison, New Jersey 08837, United States
| | - Tissa H Illangasekare
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 3557, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 3557, United States
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23
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Charbonnet J, McDonough CA, Xiao F, Schwichtenberg T, Cao D, Kaserzon S, Thomas KV, Dewapriya P, Place BJ, Schymanski EL, Field JA, Helbling DE, Higgins CP. Communicating Confidence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Identification via High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2022; 9:473-481. [PMID: 35719859 PMCID: PMC9202347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are important environmental contaminants, yet relatively few analytical reference standards exist for this class. Nontarget analyses performed by means of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) are increasingly common for the discovery and identification of PFASs in environmental and biological samples. The certainty of PFAS identifications made via HRMS must be communicated through a reliable and harmonized approach. Here, we present a confidence scale along with identification criteria specific to suspect or nontarget analysis of PFASs by means of nontarget HRMS. Confidence levels range from level 1a-"Confirmed by Reference Standard," and level 1b-"Indistinguishable from Reference Standard," to level 5-"Exact Masses of Interest," which are identified by suspect screening or data filtering, two common forms of feature prioritization. This confidence scale is consistent with general criteria for communicating confidence in the identification of small organic molecules by HRMS (e.g., through a match to analytical reference standards, library MS/MS, and/or retention times) but incorporates the specific conventions and tools used in PFAS classification and analysis (e.g., detection of homologous series and specific ranges of mass defects). Our scale clarifies the level of certainty in PFAS identification and, in doing so, facilitates more efficient identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph
A. Charbonnet
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Department
of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Carrie A. McDonough
- Department
of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Feng Xiao
- Department
of Civil Engineering, University of North
Dakota, Grand
Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
| | - Trever Schwichtenberg
- Department
of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Dunping Cao
- Department
of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Sarit Kaserzon
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kevin V. Thomas
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Pradeep Dewapriya
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Place
- National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Emma L. Schymanski
- Luxembourg
Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University
of Luxembourg, Belvaux 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Jennifer A. Field
- Department
of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Damian E. Helbling
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Christopher P. Higgins
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Phone: 720-984-2116.
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24
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Choi YJ, Helbling DE, Liu J, Olivares CI, Higgins CP. Microbial biotransformation of aqueous film-forming foam derived polyfluoroalkyl substances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153711. [PMID: 35149076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) used in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) comprise some perfluoroalkyl substances but a larger variety of polyfluoroalkyl substances. Despite their abundance in AFFF, information is lacking on the potential transformation of these polyfluoroalkyl substances. Due to the biological and chemical stability of the repeating perfluoroalkyl -(CF2)n- moiety common to all known AFFF-derived PFASs, it is not immediately evident whether the microbial biotransformation mechanisms observed for other organic contaminants also govern the microbial biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances. Herein, we aim to: 1) review the literature on the aerobic or anaerobic microbial biotransformation of AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental media; 2) compile and summarize proposed microbial biotransformation pathways for major classes of polyfluoroalkyl substances; 3) identify the dominant biotransformation intermediates and terminal biotransformation products; and 4) discuss these findings in the context of environmental monitoring and source allocation. This analysis revealed that much more is currently known about aerobic microbial biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances, as compared to anaerobic biotransformation. Further, there are some similarities in microbial biotransformations of fluorotelomer and electrochemical fluorination-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances, but differences may be largely due to head group composition. Dealkylation, oxidation, and hydrolytic reactions appear to be particularly important for microbial biotransformation of AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances, and these biotransformations may lead to formation of some semi-stable intermediates. Finally, this review discusses key knowledge gaps and opportunities for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn Jeong Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA; Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christopher I Olivares
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA.
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25
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Valdiviezo A, Aly NA, Luo YS, Cordova A, Casillas G, Foster M, Baker ES, Rusyn I. Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay following a large-scale industrial fire using ion-mobility-spectrometry-mass spectrometry. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 115:350-362. [PMID: 34969462 PMCID: PMC8724578 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants of concern because of their ubiquitous presence in surface and ground water; analytical methods that can be used for rapid comprehensive exposure assessment and fingerprinting of PFAS are needed. Following the fires at the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) in Deer Park, TX in 2019, large quantities of PFAS-containing firefighting foams were deployed. The release of these substances into the Houston Ship Channel/Galveston Bay (HSC/GB) prompted concerns over the extent and level of PFAS contamination. A targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based study of temporal and spatial patterns of PFAS associated with this incident revealed presence of 7 species; their levels gradually decreased over a 6-month period. Because the targeted LC-MS/MS analysis was focused on about 30 PFAS molecules, it may have missed other PFAS compounds present in firefighting foams. Therefore, we utilized untargeted LC-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-IMS-MS)-based analytical approach for a more comprehensive characterization of PFAS in these water samples. We analyzed 31 samples from 9 sites in the HSC/GB that were collected over 5 months after the incident. Our data showed that additional 19 PFAS were detected in surface water of HSC/GB, most of them decreased gradually after the incident. PFAS features detected by LC-MS/MS correlated well in abundance with LC-IMS-MS data; however, LC-IMS-MS identified a number of additional PFAS, many known to be components of firefighting foams. These findings therefore illustrate that untargeted LC-IMS-MS improved our understanding of PFAS presence in complex environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Valdiviezo
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Noor A Aly
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yu-Syuan Luo
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Alexandra Cordova
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gaston Casillas
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - MaKayla Foster
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Erin S Baker
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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26
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Yu Y, Che S, Ren C, Jin B, Tian Z, Liu J, Men Y. Microbial Defluorination of Unsaturated Per- and Polyfluorinated Carboxylic Acids under Anaerobic and Aerobic Conditions: A Structure Specificity Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:4894-4904. [PMID: 35373561 PMCID: PMC9465985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered microbial reductive defluorination of two C6 branched and unsaturated fluorinated carboxylic acids (FCAs) provided valuable insights into the environmental fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and potential bioremediation strategies. However, a systematic investigation is needed to further demonstrate the role of C═C double bonds in the biodegradability of unsaturated PFASs. Here, we examined the structure-biodegradability relationships of 13 FCAs, including nine commercially available unsaturated FCAs and four structurally similar saturated ones, in an anaerobic defluorinating enrichment and an activated sludge community. The anaerobic and aerobic transformation/defluorination pathways were elucidated. The results showed that under anaerobic conditions, the α,β-unsaturation is crucial for FCA biotransformation via reductive defluorination and/or hydrogenation pathways. With sp2 C-F bonds being substituted by C-H bonds, the reductive defluorination became less favorable than hydrogenation. Moreover, for the first time, we reported enhanced degradability and defluorination capability of specific unsaturated FCA structures with trifluoromethyl (-CF3) branches at the α/β-carbon. Such FCA structures can undergo anaerobic abiotic defluorination in the presence of reducing agents and significant aerobic microbial defluorination. Given the diverse applications and emerging concerns of fluorochemicals, this work not only advances the fundamental understanding of the fate of unsaturated PFASs in natural and engineered environments but also may provide insights into the design of readily degradable fluorinated alternatives to existing PFAS compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaochun Yu
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A235 Bourns Hall, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Shun Che
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A235 Bourns Hall, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Changxu Ren
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A235 Bourns Hall, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Bosen Jin
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A235 Bourns Hall, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Zhenyu Tian
- College
of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jinyong Liu
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A235 Bourns Hall, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Yujie Men
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, A235 Bourns Hall, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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27
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Dávila-Santiago E, Shi C, Mahadwar G, Medeghini B, Insinga L, Hutchinson R, Good S, Jones GD. Machine Learning Applications for Chemical Fingerprinting and Environmental Source Tracking Using Non-target Chemical Data. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:4080-4090. [PMID: 35297611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A frequent goal of chemical forensic analyses is to select a panel of diagnostic chemical features─colloquially termed a chemical fingerprint─that can predict the presence of a source in a novel sample. However, most of the developed chemical fingerprinting workflows are qualitative in nature. Herein, we report on a quantitative machine learning workflow. Grab samples (n = 51) were collected from five chemical sources, including agricultural runoff, headwaters, livestock manure, (sub)urban runoff, and municipal wastewater. Support vector classification was used to select the top 10, 25, 50, and 100 chemical features that best discriminate each source from all others. The cross-validation balanced accuracy was 92-100% for all sources (n = 1,000 iterations). When screening for diagnostic features from each source in samples collected from four local creeks, presence probabilities were low for all sources, except for wastewater at two downstream locations in a single creek. Upon closer investigation, a wastewater treatment facility was located ∼3 km upstream of the nearest sample location. In addition, using simulated in silico mixtures, the workflow can distinguish presence and absence of some sources at 10,000-fold dilutions. These results strongly suggest that this workflow can select diagnostic subsets of chemical features that can be used to quantitatively predict the presence/absence of various sources at trace levels in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Dávila-Santiago
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
| | - Cheng Shi
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
| | - Gouri Mahadwar
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
| | - Bridgette Medeghini
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
| | - Logan Insinga
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
| | - Rebecca Hutchinson
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501, United States
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3803, United States
| | - Stephen Good
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
| | - Gerrad D Jones
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3906, United States
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28
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Young RB, Pica NE, Sharifan H, Chen H, Roth HK, Blakney GT, Borch T, Higgins CP, Kornuc JJ, McKenna AM, Blotevogel J. PFAS Analysis with Ultrahigh Resolution 21T FT-ICR MS: Suspect and Nontargeted Screening with Unrivaled Mass Resolving Power and Accuracy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2455-2465. [PMID: 35099180 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large family of thousands of chemicals, many of which have been identified using nontargeted time-of-flight and Orbitrap mass spectrometry methods. Comprehensive characterization of complex PFAS mixtures is critical to assess their environmental transport, transformation, exposure, and uptake. Because 21 tesla (T) Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) offers the highest available mass resolving power and sub-ppm mass errors across a wide molecular weight range, we developed a nontargeted 21 T FT-ICR MS method to screen for PFASs in an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) using suspect screening, a targeted formula database (C, H, Cl, F, N, O, P, S; ≤865 Da), isotopologues, and Kendrick-analogous mass difference networks (KAMDNs). False-positive PFAS identifications in a natural organic matter (NOM) sample, which served as the negative control, suggested that a minimum length of 3 should be imposed when annotating CF2-homologous series with positive mass defects. We putatively identified 163 known PFASs during suspect screening, as well as 134 novel PFASs during nontargeted screening, including a suspected polyethoxylated perfluoroalkane sulfonamide series. This study shows that 21 T FT-ICR MS analysis can provide unique insights into complex PFAS composition and expand our understanding of PFAS chemistries in impacted matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Young
- Chemical Analysis & Instrumentation Laboratory, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Nasim E Pica
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Weston Solutions, Lakewood, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Hamidreza Sharifan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Natural Science, Albany State University, Albany, Georgia 31705, United States
| | - Huan Chen
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Holly K Roth
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Greg T Blakney
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Thomas Borch
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - John J Kornuc
- NAVFAC EXWC, 1100 23rd Avenue, Port Hueneme, California 93041, United States
| | - Amy M McKenna
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
- Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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Dasu K, Xia X, Siriwardena D, Klupinski TP, Seay B. Concentration profiles of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in major sources to the environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 301:113879. [PMID: 34619593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A review of published literature was conducted to present the concentrations and composition profiles of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from significant sources to the environment. The major sources of PFAS to the environment are categorized under direct and indirect sources. The characteristic compounds and concentrations are summarized as found from direct sources such as manufacturing facilities, aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) applications, metal coating operations, and textile and paper coating operations; and from indirect sources such as landfills and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The major findings are: 1) among the aqueous matrices for which data were reviewed, groundwater impacted by AFFF contamination showed the highest median concentrations for both perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), while the second-highest median concentrations were associated with landfill leachates for PFOA and metal-plating sources for PFOS; 2) many of the unknown polyfluorinated precursors present in AFFF-impacted sites could potentially convert to persistent PFAS by abiotic or biotic transformation, and therefore could act as the long-term source of contamination to the environment; 3) part per billion (ppb) concentrations of PFAS were detected in water bodies surrounding fluorochemical manufacturing plants; 4) in consumer products such as textile, paper, and personal care products, PFOA concentrations were an order of magnitude higher compared to other PFAS; 5) biotransformation products such as fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs) and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are detected in landfill leachates and WWTP effluents; and 6) many studies have shown increased PFAA concentrations in WWTP effluents compared to influents. This work provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the PFAS concentration and composition trends of select non-polymeric PFAS in different sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Dasu
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA.
| | - Xiaoyan Xia
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | | | | | - Brannon Seay
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
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Guelfo JL, Korzeniowski S, Mills MA, Anderson J, Anderson RH, Arblaster JA, Conder JM, Cousins IT, Dasu K, Henry BJ, Lee LS, Liu J, McKenzie ER, Willey J. Environmental Sources, Chemistry, Fate, and Transport of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: State of the Science, Key Knowledge Gaps, and Recommendations Presented at the August 2019 SETAC Focus Topic Meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:3234-3260. [PMID: 34325493 PMCID: PMC8745034 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Focused Topic Meeting (FTM) on the environmental management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) convened during August 2019 in Durham, North Carolina (USA). Experts from around the globe were brought together to critically evaluate new and emerging information on PFAS including chemistry, fate, transport, exposure, and toxicity. After plenary presentations, breakout groups were established and tasked to identify and adjudicate via panel discussions overarching conclusions and relevant data gaps. The present review is one in a series and summarizes outcomes of presentations and breakout discussions related to (1) primary sources and pathways in the environment, (2) sorption and transport in porous media, (3) precursor transformation, (4) practical approaches to the assessment of source zones, (5) standard and novel analytical methods with implications for environmental forensics and site management, and (6) classification and grouping from multiple perspectives. Outcomes illustrate that PFAS classification will continue to be a challenge, and additional pressing needs include increased availability of analytical standards and methods for assessment of PFAS and fate and transport, including precursor transformation. Although the state of the science is sufficient to support a degree of site-specific and flexible risk management, effective source prioritization tools, predictive fate and transport models, and improved and standardized analytical methods are needed to guide broader policies and best management practices. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3234-3260. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction EngineeringTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Stephen Korzeniowski
- American Chemistry CouncilWashingtonDCUSA
- Associated General Contractors of AmericaExtonPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Marc A. Mills
- Office of Research and DevelopmentUS Environmental Protection Agency, CincinnatiOhioUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical ChemistryStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | | | | | - Linda S. Lee
- Department of AgronomyPurdue University, West LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil EngineeringMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Erica R. McKenzie
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Janice Willey
- Naval Sea Systems Command, Laboratory Quality and Accreditation Office, Goose CreekSouth CarolinaUSA
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