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Lu Y, Li Y, Yang W, Ma K, Zhang Y, Zhu L. Maximum concentration level for groundwater (MCL gw) and soil control value to protect groundwater (CVS pgw) of hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2025; 973:179178. [PMID: 40120412 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2025] [Revised: 03/17/2025] [Accepted: 03/17/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
As a widely used alternative to the conventional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) is of growing concern due to its toxicity and potential risks to human health. Water quality criteria of HFPO-TA for protecting human health were established, and 412 ng/L was set as the maximum concentration level for groundwater (MCLgw) to calculate the soil control value to protect groundwater (CVSpgw). Utilizing recommended default values for the properties of HFPO-TA and the soil, the generic CVSpgw value of 24.0 μg/kg was obtained. Subsequently, column experiments were conducted to investigate the transport of HFPO-TA in the site soil of a fluorochemical industrial park (FIP) in China. The resulted retardation factor (R) was applied to derive the site-specific CVSpgw, and a value of 2.48 μg/kg was obtained. Using the experimentally measured R instead of the default empirical values reduced the uncertainties in deriving the CVSpgw dramatically. The transport of 13 PFAS in the soil as a mixture was investigated and revealing a significant linear correlation between R and organic carbon-water partition coefficient (KOC) (r2 = 0.991, p < 0.01), which was utilized to predicted R values for PFAS compounds. Comparison to the site-specific CVSpgw, HFPO-TA in the soil near the FIP may pose a risk to the groundwater quality. HFPO-TA concentrations in the groundwater of certain areas around the FIP were higher than MCLgw and not recommended for directly consumption, while HFPO-TA in the tap water was at the safe level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueshu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yuqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Wenqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Kaiyuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China.
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
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Biswas B, Joseph A, Parveen N, Ranjan VP, Goel S, Mandal J, Srivastava P. Contamination of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in agricultural soils: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2025; 380:124993. [PMID: 40120441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2025] [Accepted: 03/13/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
Numerous reviews have focused on the chemistry, fate and transport, and remediation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across various environmental media. However, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding a comprehensive review specifically addressing PFAS contamination within agricultural soils. Recognizing the threat PFAS pose to ecosystems and human health, this review critically examines the sources of PFAS in agricultural environments, their uptake and translocation within plant systems, and recent advancements in soil remediation techniques. PFAS ingress into agricultural soils primarily occurs through the application of biowastes, wastewater, and pesticides, necessitating a thorough examination of their pathways and impacts. Factors such as carbon chain length, salinity, temperature, and pH levels affect PFAS uptake and distribution within plants, ultimately influencing their transfer through the food web. Moreover, this review explores a range of physical, chemical, and biological strategies currently employed for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishwatma Biswas
- Environmental Engineering and Management, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India.
| | - Anuja Joseph
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India.
| | - Naseeba Parveen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India; Civil Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Mizoram, Aizawl, Mizoram, 796012, India.
| | - Ved Prakash Ranjan
- Environmental Engineering and Management, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India.
| | - Sudha Goel
- Environmental Engineering and Management, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721 302, India.
| | - Jajati Mandal
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Environment, Industry Environments Program, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia.
| | - Prashant Srivastava
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Environment, Industry Environments Program, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia.
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Vahedian F, Silva JAK, Šimůnek J, McCray JE. Influence of kinetic air-water interfacial partitioning on unsaturated transport of PFAS in sandy soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 957:177420. [PMID: 39532180 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 09/30/2024] [Accepted: 11/04/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of kinetic air-water partitioning on the transport of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within homogeneous and heterogeneous sandy vadose zones under transient unsaturated flow conditions. These experimental conditions are realistic for field behavior, where transient flow foments the continual growth and collapse of air-water interfaces (AWIs), and where layered heterogenous conditions enhance the perturbations of AWIs. Short-chain PFAS behave like conservative tracers with negligible air-water interface partitioning, whereas longer-chain PFAS demonstrate non-equilibrium retention behavior, especially in heterogeneous media. AWI partitioning kinetics were found to be important in controlling PFAS transport and mass flux, particularly during PFAS sorption to the air-water interface, which results because of the different nature and more rapid changes in AWI during drainage, wherein PFAS are moving toward the interface to achieve equilibrium, than during imbibition, where PFAS are leaving the interface to achieve equilibrium. Neglecting these kinetic AWI sorption processes can result in an underestimate of the PFAS transport velocities and mass flux reaching the water table. The presence of trapped air may also inhibit PFAS partitioning in a similar manner by causing longer diffusion paths from bulk water to a portion of the AWIs. The modified HYDRUS effectively captured the transport processes and provided an excellent match to the measured breakthrough curves. To assess relevance using realistic transient infiltration rates, simulations were conducted using precipitation data from an actual site. The results showed that accounting for kinetic AWI partitioning increases the cumulative PFOS mass flux to groundwater by a factor of 2.3 compared to equilibrium conditions, significantly impacting PFAS porewater concentrations. This difference was threefold under experimental conditions, suggesting that the importance of kinetic effects may vary significantly over the long term and under different climatic conditions or soil types, due to their strong dependence on water flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faran Vahedian
- Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
| | - Jeff A K Silva
- Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA; Arclight Research & Consulting, LLC, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
| | - Jiří Šimůnek
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - John E McCray
- Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Hydrologic Science & Engineering Program, ReNuWit-The Urban Water Engineering Research Center, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
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Kalbe U, Piechotta C, Bandow N. Comparing PFAS analysis in batch leaching and column leaching tests. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:65233-65251. [PMID: 39576439 PMCID: PMC11631822 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35510-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2024] [Indexed: 12/11/2024]
Abstract
Laboratory leaching tests are tools to assess the mobility of environmental contaminants released from granular materials. Comparative leaching tests were performed using four PFAS-contaminated soils whose concentration patterns of 10 selected perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) differed due to the two types of contamination sources. This study aimed to evaluate the equivalence of two usual laboratory-scale leaching test procedures, batch and column percolation tests, at liquid-to-solid ratios (L/S) of 2 l/kg, which is the current practice within the German assessment framework, and 10 l/kg (relevant for some EU regulations such as the landfill directive). The differences between the replicates of leaching tests investigating PFAS were smaller for column percolation tests than for batch tests, probably mainly due to the greater sample size and the better representativeness of the sample portion analyzed. It was observed that batch tests overestimate the release of shorter-chain PFAS, whereby the effect was greater with carboxylic than with sulfonic acids. Currently, the limits of detection of analyses given by the DIN standard with regard to PFCA and PFSA in soils are partly not sufficient to detect very low contents, whereas the detection of selected PFCA and PFSA in eluates is more sensitive, in accordance with the available standards. This results in limitations when calculating mass balances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Kalbe
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing: Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, 12200, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian Piechotta
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing: Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, 12200, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Bandow
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing: Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, 12200, Berlin, Germany
- German Environment Agency, Colditzstraße 34, 12099, Berlin, Germany
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Liu T, Yan S, Sun W, You X, Zheng L, Wang X. Analysis of the stereoselective fate and toxicity of penflufen in the water-sediment system for risk reduction. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 194:109159. [PMID: 39591765 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109159] [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: 08/09/2024] [Revised: 10/17/2024] [Accepted: 11/18/2024] [Indexed: 11/28/2024]
Abstract
Chiral succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides are widely used in agricultural production, but there is insufficient research on their environmental risk in water-sediment ecosystems. Here, the stereoselective fate and toxic effects of the chiral SDHI fungicide, penflufen, in the water-sediment system were investigated. The results showed that S-penflufen is more persistent in water, sediment, and zebrafish. Additionally, the sorption coefficient (Koc) in sediment and uptake rate constant (Ku) in zebrafish of S-penflufen were higher than those of R-penflufen. The acute toxicity of S-penflufen to zebrafish, Daphnia magna and Chironomus kiiensis were 32-, 6.1-, and 8.9-fold higher than those of R-penflufen. The AlphaFold2 and molecular docking results showed that S-penflufen had stronger binding capability with SDH in the three water-sediment organisms than R-penflufen. Therefore, S-penflufen induced stronger sub-chronic toxic effects on zebrafish than R-penflufen, even at 0.05 mg/L. The results of multi-omics analysis showed that S-penflufen affected the tricarboxylic acid cycle in zebrafish and induced antioxidant, detoxification, and immune system responses, ultimately affecting zebrafish metabolic processes and cellular function. The overall results indicate that S-penflufen has a higher risk in water-sediment systems. Moreover, combining multi-omics and AlphaFold2 techniques facilitates the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of the stereoselective toxic effects of chiral pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Liu
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Saihong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Xiangwei You
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Dioxin Pollution, National Research Center of Environmental Analysis and Measurement, Sino-Japan Friendship Center for Environmental Protection, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiuguo Wang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Qingdao 266101, China.
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6
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Alam MS, Abbasi A, Chen G. Fate, distribution, and transport dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in the environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 371:123163. [PMID: 39515017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 10/17/2024] [Accepted: 10/31/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants with significant environmental and health impacts due to their widespread occurrence, bioaccumulation potential, and resistance to degradation. This paper comprehensively reviews current knowledge of PFAS fate and transport mechanisms by correlating PFAS leaching, retention, and movement to their physicochemical properties and environmental factors based on observing PFAS fate and transport in unsaturated zones, surface water, sediments, plants, and atmosphere. The complex and unique physiochemical properties of PFASs, such as their carbon-fluorine bonds and amphiphilic nature, determine their environmental behavior and persistence. Recent studies emphasize that concentration-dependent affinity coefficients predict the transport of diverse PFAS mixtures by considering the impact of the Air-Water Interface (AWI). These studies highlight the complex interactions that influence PFAS behavior in environmental systems and the need for refined modeling techniques to account for transport dynamics. Competitive adsorption at the AWI, influenced by PFAS physicochemical properties and environmental factors, is crucial. PFAS chain length profoundly affects PFAS volatility and mobility, i.e., longer chains show higher solid matrix adsorption, while shorter chains exhibit greater atmospheric deposition potential. Solution chemistry, encompassing pH and ionic strength, variably alters PFAS sorption behaviors. Mathematical models, such as the Leverett Thermodynamic Model (LTM) and Surface Roughness Multipliers (SRM), effectively predict PFAS retention, offering enhanced accuracy for surface-active solutes through empirical adjustments. Co-contaminants' presence influences the transport behavior of PFASs in the environment. Microbial activity alters PFAS retention, while microplastics, especially polyamide, contribute to their adsorption. These complex interactions govern PFAS fate and transport in the environment. The paper identifies critical gaps in current understanding, including the fate of PFASs, analytical challenges, ecological risk assessment methods, and the influence of episodic events on PFAS transport dynamics. This paper also investigates the research gap in refining current models and experimental approaches to predict PFAS transport accurately and enhance risk mitigation efforts. Addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing remediation strategies and regulatory frameworks to mitigate PFAS contamination effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shahin Alam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
| | - Alireza Abbasi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
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Bayode AA, Emmanuel SS, Akinyemi AO, Ore OT, Akpotu SO, Koko DT, Momodu DE, López-Maldonado EA. Innovative techniques for combating a common enemy forever chemicals: A comprehensive approach to mitigating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 261:119719. [PMID: 39098711 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119719] [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: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," in water systems poses a significant threat to both the environment and public health. PFAS are persistent organic pollutants that are incredibly resistant to degradation and have a tendency to accumulate in the environment, resulting in long-term contamination issues. This comprehensive review delves into the primary impacts of PFAS on both the environment and human health while also delving into advanced techniques aimed at addressing these concerns. The focus is on exploring the efficacy, practicality, and sustainability of these methods. The review outlines several key methods, such as advanced oxidation processes, novel materials adsorption, bioremediation, membrane filtration, and in-situ chemical oxidation, and evaluates their effectiveness in addressing PFAS contamination. By conducting a comparative analysis of these techniques, the study aims to provide a thorough understanding of current PFAS remediation technologies, as well as offer insights into integrated approaches for managing these persistent pollutants effectively. While acknowledging the high efficiency of adsorption and membrane filtration in reducing persistent organic pollutants due to their relatively low cost, versatility, and wide applicability, the review suggests that the integration of these methods could result in an overall enhancement of removal performance. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for researcher attention in key areas and underscores the necessity of collaboration between researchers, industry, and regulatory authorities to address this complex challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajibola A Bayode
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, China; Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, 232101, Ede, Nigeria.
| | - Stephen Sunday Emmanuel
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
| | - Amos O Akinyemi
- Department of Toxicology & Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Odunayo T Ore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Achievers University, P.M.B. 1030, Owo, Nigeria
| | - Samson O Akpotu
- Department of Chemistry, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, 1900, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Daniel T Koko
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, 232101, Ede, Nigeria
| | - David E Momodu
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, 232101, Ede, Nigeria
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Liang D, Li C, Chen H, Sørmo E, Cornelissen G, Gao Y, Reguyal F, Sarmah A, Ippolito J, Kammann C, Li F, Sailaukhanuly Y, Cai H, Hu Y, Wang M, Li X, Cui X, Robinson B, Khan E, Rinklebe J, Ye T, Wu F, Zhang X, Wang H. A critical review of biochar for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated soil and water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:174962. [PMID: 39059650 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present significant environmental and health hazards due to their inherent persistence, ubiquitous presence in the environment, and propensity for bioaccumulation. Consequently, the development of efficacious remediation strategies for soil and water contaminated with PFAS is imperative. Biochar, with its unique properties, has emerged as a cost-effective adsorbent for PFAS. Despite this, a comprehensive review of the factors influencing PFAS adsorption and immobilization by biochar is lacking. This narrative review examines recent findings indicating that the application of biochar can effectively immobilize PFAS, thereby mitigating their environmental transport and subsequent ecological impact. In addition, this paper reviewed the sorption mechanisms of biochar and the factors affecting its sorption efficiency. The high effectiveness of biochars in PFAS remediation has been attributed to their high porosity in the right pore size range (>1.5 nm) that can accommodate the relatively large PFAS molecules (>1.02-2.20 nm), leading to physical entrapment. Effective sorption requires attraction or bonding to the biochar framework. Binding is stronger for long-chain PFAS than for short-chain PFAS, as attractive forces between long hydrophobic CF2-tails more easily overcome the repulsion of the often-anionic head groups by net negatively charged biochars. This review summarizes case studies and field applications highlighting the effectiveness of biochar across various matrices, showcasing its strong binding with PFAS. We suggest that research should focus on improving the adsorption performance of biochar for short-chain PFAS compounds. Establishing the significance of biochar surface electrical charge in the adsorption process of PFAS is necessary, as well as quantifying the respective contributions of electrostatic forces and hydrophobic van der Waals forces to the adsorption of both short- and long-chain PFAS. There is an urgent need for validation of the effectiveness of the biochar effect in actual environmental conditions through prolonged outdoor testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhan Liang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Caibin Li
- Yancao Industry Biochar-Based Fertilizer Engineering Research Center of China, Bijie Yancao Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, Guizhou 550700, China
| | - Hanbo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, School of Environmental and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science & Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Erlend Sørmo
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), 0484 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1430 Ås, Norway
| | - Gerard Cornelissen
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), 0484 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1430 Ås, Norway
| | - Yurong Gao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Febelyn Reguyal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Ajit Sarmah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jim Ippolito
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Claudia Kammann
- Department of Applied Ecology, Geisenheim University, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Fangbai Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Yerbolat Sailaukhanuly
- Laboratory of Engineering Profile, Satbayev University, 22a Satpaev Str., Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan
| | - Heqing Cai
- Yancao Industry Biochar-Based Fertilizer Engineering Research Center of China, Bijie Yancao Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, Guizhou 550700, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Yancao Industry Biochar-Based Fertilizer Engineering Research Center of China, Bijie Yancao Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, Guizhou 550700, China
| | - Maoxian Wang
- Yancao Industry Biochar-Based Fertilizer Engineering Research Center of China, Bijie Yancao Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, Guizhou 550700, China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Xinglan Cui
- National Engineering Research Center for Environment-friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
| | - Brett Robinson
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Eakalak Khan
- Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4015, USA
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Tingjin Ye
- IronMan Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Foshan 528041, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xiaokai Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
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9
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Garza-Rubalcava U, Klevan C, Pennell KD, Abriola LM. Transport and competitive interfacial adsorption of PFOA and PFOS in unsaturated porous media: Experiments and modeling. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 268:122728. [PMID: 39522483 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 10/30/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
Among emerging contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have captured public attention based upon their environmental ubiquity and potential risks to human health. Due to their typical surface release conditions and amphiphilic properties, PFAS tend to sorb to soil and accumulate at the air-water interface within the vadose zone. These processes can result in substantial plume attenuation. Although there is a growing body of literature on vadose zone transport, few studies have explored PFAS mixture transport, particularly under conditions where nonlinear sorption processes are important. The present study aims to advance our understanding of PFAS transport in variably saturated porous media through integration of experiments and mathematical modeling. Experiments include batch studies to quantify sorption to the solid phase, interfacial tension (IFT) measurements to estimate adsorption at the air-water interface (AWI), and column studies with F-70 Ottawa sand at 100 % and ca. 50 % water saturation to explore transport mechanisms. Employed PFAS solutions encompass individual solutes and binary mixtures of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at concentration levels spanning four orders of magnitude to assess competitive and nonlinear sorption at the AWI. Observations demonstrate that concentration levels and competitive effects substantially influence PFAS transport in unsaturated systems. In the presence of PFOS, PFOA experienced less retention than would be anticipated based on single-solute behavior, and effluent breakthrough curves exhibited chromatographic peaking. The presented mathematical model for simultaneous flow and transport of PFAS was able to capture experimental observations with a consistent set of parameters and minimal curve fitting. These results demonstrate the robustness of the model formulation that included rate-limited interfacial mass transfer, an extended Langmuir-Szyszkowski model for adsorption at the AWI, and a scaled Leverett thermodynamic model to predict the AWI specific area. Overall, the results of this work underscore the importance of the AWI in PFAS transport and highlight the relevance of competition effects in adsorption formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig Klevan
- School of Engineering, Brown University. 184 Hope St. Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University. 184 Hope St. Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Linda M Abriola
- School of Engineering, Brown University. 184 Hope St. Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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Usman M, Chaudhary A, Hanna K. Efficient PFAS removal from contaminated soils through combined washing and adsorption in soil effluents. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135118. [PMID: 38981229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates soil washing as a viable strategy to remove poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated soils using various washing agents including water, methanol, ethanol, and cyclodextrin ((2-Hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin HPCD)). Water was less effective (removing only 30 % of PFAS), especially for long-chain hydrophobic PFAS. Methanol (50 % v/v) or HPCD (10 mg g-1 soil) achieved > 95 % PFAS removal regardless of PFAS type, soil size fraction (0-400 µm or 400-800 µm), or experimental setups (batch or column, at liquid/solid (L/S) = 1). Column optimization studies revealed improved efficiency at L/S = 10 with diluted washing solutions, where HPCD exhibited rapid PFAS mobilization even at lower concentrations (1 mg mL-1). We then applied a first-order decay model to effectively predict PFAS breakthrough curves and mobilization within soil columns. Subsequent treatment of wash effluents by activated carbon and biochar effectively reduced PFAS concentrations below detection limits. The performance of both soil washing and subsequent adsorption was found to depend strongly on the specific characteristics of PFAS compounds. These findings highlight the significant potential of methanol and HPCD in soil washing and the effectiveness of integrated soil washing and adsorption for optimizing PFAS removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Usman
- Université de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Aaifa Chaudhary
- Université de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France; Environmental Mineralogy & Chemistry, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Khalil Hanna
- Université de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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11
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Saha B, Ateia M, Fernando S, Xu J, DeSutter T, Iskander SM. PFAS occurrence and distribution in yard waste compost indicate potential volatile loss, downward migration, and transformation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024; 26:657-666. [PMID: 38312055 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00538k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
We discovered high concentrations of PFAS (18.53 ± 1.5 μg kg-1) in yard waste compost, a compost type widely acceptable to the public. Seventeen out of forty targeted PFAS, belonging to six PFAS classes were detected in yard waste compost, with PFCAs (13.51 ± 0.99 μg kg-1) and PFSAs (4.13 ± 0.19 μg kg-1) being the dominant classes, comprising approximately 72.5% and 22.1% of the total measured PFAS. Both short-chain PFAS, such as PFBA, PFHxA, and PFBS, and long-chain PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, were prevalent in all the tested yard waste compost samples. We also discovered the co-occurrence of PFAS with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. Total PFAS concentrations in LDPE and PET separated from incoming yard waste were 7.41 ± 0.41 μg kg-1 and 1.35 ± 0.1 μg kg-1, which increased to 8.66 ± 0.81 μg kg-1 in LDPE and 5.44 ± 0.56 μg kg-1 in PET separated from compost. An idle mature compost pile revealed a clear vertical distribution of PFAS, with the total PFAS concentrations at the surface level approximately 58.9-63.2% lower than the 2 ft level. This difference might be attributed to the volatile loss of short-chain PFCAs, PFAS's downward movement with moisture, and aerobic transformations of precursor PFAS at the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biraj Saha
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, 1410 14th Ave N, CIE 201, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, USA.
| | - Mohamed Ateia
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Sujan Fernando
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, USA
| | - Jiale Xu
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, 1410 14th Ave N, CIE 201, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, USA.
| | - Thomas DeSutter
- Department of Soil Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, USA
| | - Syeed Md Iskander
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, 1410 14th Ave N, CIE 201, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, USA.
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University, 1410 14th Ave N, CIE 201, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, USA
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12
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Bui TH, Zuverza-Mena N, Dimkpa CO, Nason SL, Thomas S, White JC. PFAS remediation in soil: An evaluation of carbon-based materials for contaminant sequestration. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123335. [PMID: 38211874 PMCID: PMC10922530 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils is a global concern as these emerging contaminants are highly resistant to degradation and cause adverse effects on human and environmental health at very low concentrations. Sequestering PFAS in soils using carbon-based materials is a low-cost and effective strategy to minimize pollutant bioavailability and exposure, and may offer potential long-term remediation of PFAS in the environment. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of current insights on sequestration of PFAS in soil using carbon-based sorbents. Hydrophobic effects originating from fluorinated carbon (C-F) backbone "tail" and electrostatic interactions deriving from functional groups on the molecules' "head" are the two driving forces governing PFAS sorption. Consequently, varying C-F chain lengths and polar functional groups significantly alter PFAS availability and leachability. Furthermore, matrix parameters such as soil organic matter, inorganic minerals, and pH significantly impact PFAS sequestration by sorbent amendments. Materials such as activated carbon, biochar, carbon nanotubes, and their composites are the primary C-based materials used for PFAS adsorption. Importantly, modifying the carbon structural and surface chemistry is essential for increasing the active sorption sites and for strengthening interactions with PFAS. This review evaluates current literature, identifies knowledge gaps in current remediation technologies and addresses future strategies on the sequestration of PFAS in contaminated soil using sustainable novel C-based sorbents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trung Huu Bui
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Nubia Zuverza-Mena
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Christian O Dimkpa
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Sara Thomas
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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13
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Sun R, Babalol S, Ni R, Dolatabad AA, Cao J, Xiao F. Efficient and fast remediation of soil contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by high-frequency heating. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132660. [PMID: 37898088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a novel thermal technology (high-frequency heating, HFH) for the decontamination of soil containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Ultra-fast degradation of short-chain PFAS, long-chain homologs, precursors, legacy PFAS, emerging PFAS was achieved in a matter of minutes. The concentrations of PFAS and the soil type had a negligible impact on degradation efficiency, possibly due to the ultra-fast degradation rate overwhelming potential differences. Under the current HFH experiment setup, we achieved near-complete degradation (e.g., >99.9%) after 1 min for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and 2 min for perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids. Polyfluoroalkyl precursors in AFFFs were found to degrade completely within 1 min of HFH; no residual cationic, zwitterionic, anionic, or non-ionic intermediate products were detected following the treatment. The gaseous byproducts were considered. Most of gaseous organofluorine products of PFAS at low-and-moderate temperatures disappeared when temperatures reached 890 °C, which is in the temperature zone of HFH. For the first time, we demonstrated minimal loss of PFAS in water during the boiling process, indicating a low risk of PFAS entering the atmosphere with the water vapor. The findings highlight HFH its potential as a promising remediation tool for PFAS-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Samuel Babalol
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Ruichong Ni
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 8155, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Alireza Arhami Dolatabad
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jiefei Cao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Feng Xiao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Wanzek TA, Field JA, Kostarelos K. Repeated Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Applications: Impacts on Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Retention in Saturated Soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1659-1668. [PMID: 38198694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04595] [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: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Historical practices at firefighter-training areas involved repeated aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) applications, resulting in source zones characterized by high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Repeated applications of AFFF composed of 14 anionic and 23 zwitterionic perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were conducted on a single one-dimensional saturated soil column to quantify PFAS retention. An electrofluorination-based (3M) Milspec AFFF, which was above the mixture's critical micelle concentration (CMC), was at application strength (3%, v/v). Retention and retardation of PFAS mass increased with each successive AFFF addition, although the PFAS concentration profiles for subsequent applications differed from the initial. Greater degree of mass retention and retardation correlated with longer PFAS carbon-fluorine chain length and charged-headgroup type and as a function of AFFF application number. Anionic PFAS were increasingly retained with each subsequent AFFF application, while zwitterionic PFAS exhibited an alternating pattern of sorption and desorption. Surfactant-surfactant adsorption and competition during repeat AFFF applications that are at concentrations above the CMC resulted in adsorbed PFAS from the first application, changing the nature of the soil surface with preferential sorption of anionic PFAS and release of zwitterionic PFAS due to competitive elution. Applying a polyparameter quantitative structure-property relationship developed to describe sorption of AFFF-derived PFAS to uncontaminated, saturated soil was attempted for our experimental conditions. The model had been derived for data where AFFF is below the apparent CMC and our experimental conditions that included the presence of mixed micelles (aggregates consisting of different kinds of surfactants that exhibit characteristics properties different from micelles composed of a single surfactant) resulted in overall PFAS mass retained by an average of 27.3% ± 2.7% (standard error) above the predicted values. The correlation was significantly improved by adding a "micelle parameter" to account for cases where the applied AFFF was above the apparent CMC. Our results highlight the importance of interactions between the AFFF components that can only be investigated by employing complex PFAS mixtures at concentrations present in actual AFFF at application strength, which are above their apparent CMC. In firefighter-training areas (AFFF source zones), competitive desorption of PFAS may result in downgradient PFAS retention when desorbed PFAS become resorbed to uncontaminated soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Wanzek
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Konstantinos Kostarelos
- UH Energy Technology Innovation Center, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
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15
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Umeh AC, Naidu R, Olisa E, Liu Y, Qi F, Bekele D. A systematic investigation of single solute, binary and ternary PFAS transport in water-saturated soil using batch and 1-dimensional column studies: Focus on mixture effects. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132688. [PMID: 37797575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the transport and release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as single solutes and binary and ternary mixtures, and associated competitive sorption effects in water-saturated soil. Batch sorption isotherm and desorption, and one-dimensional miscible displacement studies were conducted. For the batch study, the mixtures exhibited extensive sorption isotherm nonlinearity at aqueous concentrations exceeding 20 µg/L. At and above this threshold, competitive effects significantly decreased PFAS sorption, mostly affecting perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). Importantly, mixture effects exacerbated isotherm nonlinearity and may increase the leaching of PFAS in subsurface soil and groundwater. Further, up to 100% desorption occurred for single solutes and mixtures, indicating that the studied PFAS were weakly sorbed. For the column study, at influent concentrations (21 - 27 µg/L, depending on PFAS) near the threshold, PFOA and PFHxS breakthrough curves (BTC) generally exhibited equilibrium (nonlinear) transport, whereas perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exhibited nonequilibrium transport, with minimal or no mixture effects. Nonequilibrium transport of PFOS was driven by rate-limited sorption, especially as flow interruption tests confirmed the absence of physical nonequilibrium. The sorption distribution coefficients (Kd) from moment and frontal analyses, and 2-site modelling of the BTC, were consistent with the batch-derived Kd, although comparatively smaller. Such discrepancies may limit the applicability of batch-derived Kd values for predictive transport modelling purposes. Overall, understanding mixture impacts may aid effective predictive modelling of PFAS transport and leaching, especially in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-source zone areas associated with elevated PFAS concentrations. At low or environmental PFAS concentrations, mixture effects can be expected to be play a minor role in influencing PFAS transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C Umeh
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Olisa
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Geosyntec Consultants, 211 Wheeler St, Saskatoon, SK S7P 0A4, Canada
| | - Yanju Liu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Fangjie Qi
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Nanjing Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 Beijing East Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210008, China
| | - Dawit Bekele
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Douglas Partners Pty Ltd, 439 Montague Road West End, QLD 4101, Australia
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16
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Bierbaum T, Hansen SK, Poudel B, Haslauer C. Investigating rate-limited sorption, sorption to air-water interfaces, and colloid-facilitated transport during PFAS leaching. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:121529-121547. [PMID: 37957494 PMCID: PMC10724089 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Various sorption processes affect leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as PFOA and PFOS. The objectives of this study are to (1) compare rate-limited leaching in column and lysimeter experiments, (2) investigate the relevance of sorption to air-water interfaces (AWI), and (3) examine colloid-facilitated transport as a process explaining early experimental breakthrough. A continuum model (CM) with two-domain sorption is used to simulate equilibrium and rate-limited sorption. A random walk particle tracking (PT) model was developed and applied to analyze complex leaching characteristics. Results show that sorption parameters derived from column experiments underestimate long-term PFOA leaching in lysimeter experiments due to early depletion, suggesting that transformation of precursors contributes to the observed long-term leaching in the lysimeters (approximately 0.003 µg/kg/d PFOA). Both models demonstrate that sorption to AWI is the dominant retention mechanism for PFOS in lysimeter experiments, with retardation due to AWI being 3 (CM) to 3.7 (PT) times higher than retardation due to solid phase sorption. Notably, despite a simplified conception of AWI sorption, the PT results are closer to the observations. The PT simulations demonstrate possible colloid-facilitated transport at early time; however, results using substance-specific varying transport parameters align better with the observations, which should be equal if colloid-facilitated transport without additional kinetics is the sole mechanism affecting early breakthrough. Possibly, rate-limited sorption to AWI is relevant during the early stages of the lysimeter experiment. Our findings demonstrate that rate-limited sorption is less relevant for long-term leaching under field conditions compared to transformation of precursors and that sorption to AWI can be the dominant retention mechanism on contaminated sites. Moreover, they highlight the potential of random walk particle tracking as a practical alternative to continuum models for estimating the relative contributions of various retention mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bierbaum
- Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Environmental Systems (IWS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Scott K Hansen
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Bikash Poudel
- Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Environmental Systems (IWS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Claus Haslauer
- Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Environmental Systems (IWS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
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17
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Wanzek T, Stults JF, Johnson MG, Field JA, Kleber M. Role of Mineral-Organic Interactions in PFAS Retention by AFFF-Impacted Soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5231-5242. [PMID: 36947878 PMCID: PMC10764056 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive, generalized approach to predict the retention of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) by a soil matrix as a function of PFAS molecular and soil physiochemical properties was developed. An AFFF with 34 major PFAS (12 anions and 22 zwitterions) was added to uncontaminated soil in one-dimensional saturated column experiments and PFAS mass retained was measured. PFAS mass retention was described using an exhaustive statistical approach to generate a poly-parameter quantitative structure-property relationship (ppQSPR). The relevant predictive properties were PFAS molar mass, mass fluorine, number of nitrogens in the PFAS molecule, poorly crystalline Fe oxides, organic carbon, and specific (BET-N2) surface area. The retention of anionic PFAS was nearly independent of soil properties and largely a function of molecular hydrophobicity, with the size of the fluorinated side chain as the main predictor. Retention of nitrogen-containing zwitterionic PFAS was related to poorly crystalline metal oxides and organic carbon content. Knowledge of the extent to which a suite of PFAS may respond to variations in soil matrix properties, as developed here, paves the way for the development of reactive transport algorithms with the ability to capture PFAS dynamics in source zones over extended time frames.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wanzek
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - John F. Stults
- Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, 80401, United States
| | - Mark G. Johnson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Field
- Department Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Markus Kleber
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
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18
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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: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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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