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Wang Y, Liu M, Vo Duy S, Munoz G, Sauvé S, Liu J. Fast analysis of short-chain and ultra-short-chain fluorinated organics in water by on-line extraction coupled to HPLC-HRMS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173682. [PMID: 38825196 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
A rapid on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (on-line SPE-LC-HRMS) method was developed to analyze 11 ultra-short and short-chain PFAS in surface water. Analytical optimization involved screening 7 chromatographic columns and 5 on-line SPE columns, as well as evaluating SPE loading conditions, filters, sample acidification, chromatographic mobile phases, and SPE loading mobile phases. The optimized method was then applied to 44 river water samples collected in Eastern Canada, including sites near airports with fire-training areas. Among the 11 targeted PFAS, the most frequently detected were trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, 4.6-220 ng/L), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, 0.85-33 ng/L), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA, 1.2-2100 ng/L), trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TMS, 0.01-4.3 ng/L), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS, 0.07-450 ng/L). Levels of C3-C5 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), C2-C4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) and n:3 polyfluoroalkyl acids (n = 2,3; n:3 acids) were significantly higher in water bodies near fire-training area sites compared with rivers in urban areas. In contrast, TFA, TMS, and 1:3 acid were not significantly elevated, likely reflecting atmospheric deposition or other diffuse sources for these compounds. Nontarget and suspect screening analysis revealed an abundance of other ultra-short and short-chain PFAS in AFFF-impacted water bodies. Perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASA, C2, C3, and C5), perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide propanoic acids (FASA-PrA, C1-C2) and n:3 acids (n = 1, 4, and 5) were detected for the first time in environmental surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada; Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada; Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada.
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2
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Rasmusson K, Fagerlund F. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as contaminants in groundwater resources - A comprehensive review of subsurface transport processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024:142663. [PMID: 38908440 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants in the environment. An increased awareness of adverse health effects related to PFAS has further led to stricter regulations for several of these substances in e.g. drinking water in many countries. Groundwater constitutes an important source of raw water for drinking water production. A thorough understanding of PFAS subsurface fate and transport mechanisms leading to contamination of groundwater resources is therefore essential for management of raw water resources. A review of scientific literature on the subject of processes affecting subsurface PFAS fate and transport was carried out. This article compiles the current knowledge of such processes, mainly focusing on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), in soil- and groundwater systems. Further, a compilation of data on transport parameters such as solubility and distribution coefficients, as well as, insight gained and conclusions drawn from the reviewed material are presented. As the use of certain fire-fighting foams has been identified as the major source of groundwater contamination in many countries, research related to this type of pollution source has been given extra focus. Uptake of PFAS in biota is outside the scope of this review. The review showed a large spread in the magnitude of distribution coefficients and solubility for individual PFAS. Also, it is clear that the influence of multiple factors makes site-specific evaluation of distribution coefficients valuable. This article aims at giving the reader a comprehensive overview of the subject, and providing a base for further work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fritjof Fagerlund
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala
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3
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Monsky RJ, Li Y, Houk KN, Dichtel WR. Low-Temperature Mineralization of Fluorotelomers with Diverse Polar Head Groups. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38870114 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants linked to harmful health effects. Currently employed PFAS destruction methods are energy-intensive and often produce shorter-chain and recalcitrant partially fluorinated byproducts. We report the mineralization of five fluorotelomer compounds via a base-mediated degradation using NaOH and mild temperatures (120 °C) in a mixture of DMSO:H2O (8:1 v/v). The studied fluorotelomers have varying polar head groups-carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, alcohols, and phosphonic acids, which are the most common polar head groups used in commercial and industrial applications. The degradation intermediates and byproducts were characterized using 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory computations at the M06-2X/6-311 + G(2d,p)-SMD-(DMSO) level were consistent with the observed intermediates and guided an overall mechanistic hypothesis. Degradation of each fluorotelomer occurs through a similar process, in which the nonfluorinated carbons and the first fluorinated carbon are cleaved from the remaining perfluoroalkyl fragment, which degrades through previously identified pathways. These findings provide important insight into PFAS degradation processes and suggest that PFAS containing at least one C-H bond within or adjacent to its fluoroalkyl chain can be degraded under these mild conditions. Many PFAS in current use as well as recalcitrant fluorinated byproducts generated from other PFAS degradation methods are candidates for this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Monsky
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Yuli Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - K N Houk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - William R Dichtel
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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4
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Yan PF, Dong S, Pennell KD, Cápiro NL. A review of the occurrence and microbial transformation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171883. [PMID: 38531439 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) have been extensively used for extinguishing hydrocarbon-fuel fires at military sites, airports, and fire-training areas. Despite being a significant source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), our understanding of PFAS occurrence in AFFF formulations and AFFF-impacted environments is limited, as is the impact of microbial transformation on the environment fate of AFFF-derived PFAS. This literature review compiles PFAS concentrations in electrochemical fluorination (ECF)- and fluorotelomer (FT)-based AFFFs and provides an overview of PFAS occurrence in AFFF-impacted environments. Our analysis reveals that AFFF use is a predominant point source of PFAS contamination, including primary precursors (polyfluoroalkyl substances as AFFF components), secondary precursors (polyfluoroalkyl transformation products of primary precursors), and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Moreover, there are discrepancies between PFAS concentration profiles in AFFFs and those measured in AFFF-impacted media. For example, primary precursors constitute 52.6 % and 99.5 % of PFAS mass in ECF- and FT-based AFFFs, respectively, whereas they represent only 0.7 % total mass in AFFF-impacted groundwater. Conversely, secondary precursors, which constitute <1 % of PFAS in AFFFs, represent 4.0-27.8 % of PFAS in AFFF-impacted environments. The observed differences in PFAS levels between AFFFs and environmental samples are likely due to in-situ biotransformation processes. Biotransformation rates and pathways reported for AFFF-derived primary and secondary precursors varied among different classes of precursors, consistent with the PFAS occurrence in AFFF-impacted environments. For example, readily biodegradable primary precursors, N-dimethyl ammonio propyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamide (AmPr-FASA) and n:2 fluorotelomer thioether amido sulfonate (n:2 FtTAoS), were rarely detected in AFFF-impacted environments. In contrast, key secondary precursors, perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs) and n:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (n:2 FTS), were widely detected, which was attributed to their resistance to biotransformation. Key knowledge gaps and future research priorities are presented to better understand the occurrence, fate, and transport of AFFF-derived PFAS in the environment and to design more effective remediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Yan
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
| | - Sheng Dong
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Natalie L Cápiro
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
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5
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Dutt M, Arigò A, Famiglini G, Zappia G, Palma P, Cappiello A. Exploring Negative Chemical Ionization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances via a Liquid Electron Ionization LC-MS Interface. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:890-901. [PMID: 38587900 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of aliphatic manufactured compounds comprising fluoro-chemicals with varied functional groups and stable carbon-fluorine bonds. They are defined as "forever chemicals" due to their persistent and bioaccumulative character. These substances have been detected in various environmental samples, including water, air, soil, and human blood, posing significant health hazards. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) is typically employed for the analysis of PFASs. Negative chemical ionization (NCI) is generally coupled to gas chromatography (GC) and offers high selectivity and sensitivity for compounds containing electronegative atoms, such as PFASs. The liquid electron ionization (LEI) interface is an efficient mechanism developed to robustly couple a liquid flow rate from an LC system to an EI or a CI source. This interface has been successfully utilized for pesticide determination in UHPLC-LEI-CI in negative ion mode (NCI). This work aims to evaluate different parameters involved in the ionization of PFASs analyzed in LC-LEI-NCI and subsequently develop a method for their detection in real samples. The parameters considered for this study include (i) a comparison of different CI reagent gases (methane, isobutane, and argon); (ii) the use of acetonitrile as both the chromatographic solvent and CI reagent gas; (iii) the presence of water and formic acid as chromatographic mobile phase components; and (iv) the mobile phase flow rate. The optimal combination of these parameters led to promising results. Tentative fragmentation pathways of PFASs in NCI mode are proposed based on the dissociative electron capture mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malvika Dutt
- DiSPeA Department, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Adriana Arigò
- DiSPeA Department, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Giorgio Famiglini
- DiSPeA Department, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Giovanni Zappia
- San Raffaele University of Rome, via di Val Cannuta, 247 00166 Rome, Italy
- UMOLSYSTEM Srl, Piazza Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Pierangela Palma
- DiSPeA Department, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5, Canada
| | - Achille Cappiello
- DiSPeA Department, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5, Canada
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6
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Wang W, Cao G, Zhang J, Chang W, Sang Y, Cai Z. Fragmentation Pattern-Based Screening Strategy Combining Diagnostic Ion and Neutral Loss Uncovered Novel para-Phenylenediamine Quinone Contaminants in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5921-5931. [PMID: 38512777 PMCID: PMC10993393 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00027] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Identifying transformed emerging contaminants in complex environmental compartments is a challenging but meaningful task. Substituted para-phenylenediamine quinones (PPD-quinones) are emerging contaminants originating from rubber antioxidants and have been proven to be toxic to the aquatic species, especially salmonids. The emergence of multiple PPD-quinones in various environmental matrices and evidence of their specific hazards underscore the need to understand their environmental occurrences. Here, we introduce a fragmentation pattern-based nontargeted screening strategy combining full MS/All ion fragmentation/neutral loss-ddMS2 scans to identify potential unknown PPD-quinones in different environmental matrices. Using diagnostic fragments of m/z 170.0600, 139.0502, and characteristic neutral losses of 199.0633, 138.0429 Da, six known and three novel PPD-quinones were recognized in air particulates, surface soil, and tire tissue. Their specific structures were confirmed, and their environmental concentration and composition profiles were clarified with self-synthesized standards. N-(1-methylheptyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine quinone (8PPD-Q) and N,N'-di(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-p-phenylenediamine quinone (66PD-Q) were identified and quantified for the first time, with their median concentrations found to be 0.02-0.21 μg·g-1 in tire tissue, 0.40-2.76 pg·m-3 in air particles, and 0.23-1.02 ng·g-1 in surface soil. This work provides new evidence for the presence of unknown PPD-quinones in the environment, showcasing a potential strategy for screening emerging transformed contaminants in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental
and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Guodong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental
and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental
and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Weixia Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental
and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yuecheng Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental
and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental
and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
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7
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Wang YF, Li L, Wang X, Yun YN, Wang XL, He EY, Song MK, Xia XH, Zou YX. Environmental exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances mixture and asthma in adolescents. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2024; 97:331-339. [PMID: 38411670 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-024-02047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous epidemiological studies about the relationship between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations and adolescent asthma have typically examined single PFAS, without considering the mixtures effects of PFAS. METHODS Using data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 886 adolescents aged 12-19 years were included in this study. We explored the association between PFAS mixture concentrations and adolescent asthma using weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models, respectively. RESULTS After adjusting for confounders, the results of the WQS regression and BKMR models were consistent, with mixed exposure to the five PFAS not significantly associated with asthma in all adolescents. The association remained nonsignificant in the subgroup analysis by sex. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated no significant association between mixed exposure to PFAS and adolescent asthma, and more large cohort studies are needed to confirm this in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Wang
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pulmonology, Tianjin Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of Tianjin University), Machang Compus, 225 Machang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China
| | - Li Li
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pulmonology, Tianjin Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of Tianjin University), Machang Compus, 225 Machang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pulmonology, Tianjin Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of Tianjin University), Machang Compus, 225 Machang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China
| | - Ya-Nan Yun
- Department of Pulmonology, Tianjin Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of Tianjin University), Machang Compus, 225 Machang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China
| | - Xue-Lin Wang
- Department of Pulmonology, Tianjin Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of Tianjin University), Machang Compus, 225 Machang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China
| | - En-Yang He
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming-Kun Song
- Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xue-Hong Xia
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying-Xue Zou
- Department of Pulmonology, Tianjin Children's Hospital (Children's Hospital of Tianjin University), Machang Compus, 225 Machang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China.
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8
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Mattila JM, Krug JD, Roberson WR, Burnette RP, McDonald S, Virtaranta L, Offenberg JH, Linak WP. Characterizing Volatile Emissions and Combustion Byproducts from Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Using Online Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:3942-3952. [PMID: 38350647 PMCID: PMC10985785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09255] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are used in firefighting applications and often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can detrimentally impact environmental and biological health. Incineration is a potential disposal method for AFFFs, which may produce secondary PFAS and other air pollutants. We used online chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) to measure volatile PFAS emissions from incinerating AFFF concentrate solutions. We quantified perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) during the incineration of legacy and contemporary AFFFs. These included trifluoroacetic acid, which reached mg m-3 quantities in the incinerator exhaust. These PFCAs likely arose as products of incomplete combustion of AFFF fluorosurfactants with lower peak furnace temperatures yielding higher PFCA concentrations. We also detected other short-chain PFAS, and other novel chemical products in AFFF combustion emissions. The volatile headspace above AFFF solutions contained larger (C ≥ 8), less oxidized PFAS detected by CIMS. We identified neutral PFAS resembling fluorotelomer surfactants (e.g., fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaines and fluorotelomer thioether amido sulfonates) and fluorotelomer alcohols in contemporary AFFF headspaces. Directly comparing the distinct chemical spaces of AFFF volatile headspace and combustion byproducts as measured by CIMS provides insight toward the chemistry of PFAS during thermal treatment of AFFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Mattila
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Jonathan D. Krug
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - William R. Roberson
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | | | - Stella McDonald
- Jacobs Technology Inc., Cary, North Carolina 27518, United States
| | - Larry Virtaranta
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - John H. Offenberg
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - William P. Linak
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
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9
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Liu M, Glover CM, Munoz G, Duy SV, Sauvé S, Liu J. Hunting the missing fluorine in aqueous film-forming foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:133006. [PMID: 37988941 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Since aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are major sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), understanding the quantity and type of PFAS present in AFFFs is crucial for assessing environmental risk and remediation. We characterized 25 foams from Canada and Europe, including two non-AFFFs and two fluorine-free AFFFs. We used liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to identify novel PFAS, as well as total oxidizable precursor assays (TOP) and total organofluorine (TOF) measurements for comparison. LC-HRMS showed that the two non-AFFF foams and two PFAS-free AFFFs contained little or no PFAS, confirmed by TOF measurement using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). The PFAS-containing AFFFs, however, spanned a wide concentration range of TOF (2200-45,000 mg F/L) and contained 22 new classes of polyfluoroalkyl substances not previously reported. As a result of identifying new compounds, LC-HRMS was fully able to capture the oxidizable precursors determined by TOP assay in all tested fluorotelomer (FT) AFFFs, while unknown compounds still constituted a significant fraction (19-53 mol%) in most electrochemical fluorination (ECF) AFFFs. A fluorine mass balance was achieved by comparing the amounts of compounds identified by LC-HRMS with those detected by CIC, although LC-HRMS overestimated TOF with a recovery of 127 ± 36%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Caitlin M Glover
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada.
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10
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Bhat AP, Pomerantz WCK, Arnold WA. Fluorinated Pharmaceutical and Pesticide Photolysis: Investigating Reactivity and Identifying Fluorinated Products by Combining Computational Chemistry, 19F NMR, and Mass Spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38340057 PMCID: PMC10883306 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Fluorinated breakdown products from photolysis of pharmaceuticals and pesticides are of environmental concern due to their potential persistence and toxicity. While mass spectrometry workflows have been shown to be useful in identifying products, they fall short for fluorinated products and may miss up to 90% of products. Studies have shown that 19F NMR measurements assist in identifying and quantifying reaction products, but this protocol can be further developed by incorporating computations. Density functional theory was used to compute 19F NMR shifts for parent and product structures in photolysis reactions. Computations predicted NMR spectra of compounds with an R2 of 0.98. Computed shifts for several isolated product structures from LC-HRMS matched the experimental shifts with <0.7 ppm error. Multiple products including products that share the same shift that were not previously reported were identified and quantified using computational shifts, including aliphatic products in the range of -80 to -88 ppm. Thus, photolysis of fluorinated pharmaceuticals and pesticides can result in compounds that are polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), including aliphatic-CF3 or vinyl-CF2 products derived from heteroaromatic-CF3 groups. C-F bond-breaking enthalpies and electron densities around the fluorine motifs agreed well with the experimentally observed defluorination of CF3 groups. Combining experimental-computational 19F NMR allows quantification of products identified via LC-HRMS without the need for authentic standards. These results have applications for studies of environmental fate and analysis of fluorinated pharmaceuticals and pesticides in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash P Bhat
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - William C K Pomerantz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - William A Arnold
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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11
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Fang B, Zhang Y, Chen H, Qiao B, Yu H, Zhao M, Gao M, Li X, Yao Y, Zhu L, Sun H. Stability and Biotransformation of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid, Sulfonamide Amine Oxide, and Sulfonamide Alkylbetaine in Aerobic Sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2446-2457. [PMID: 38178542 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05506] [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: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide (6:2 FTSAm)-based compounds signify a prominent group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely used in contemporary aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations. Despite their widespread presence, the biotransformation behavior of these compounds in wastewater treatment plants remains uncertain. This study investigated the biotransformation of 6:2 FTSAm-based amine oxide (6:2 FTNO), alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA) in aerobic sludge over a 100-day incubation period. The biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylamine (6:2 FTAA), a primary intermediate product of 6:2 FTNO, was indirectly assessed. Their stability was ranked based on the estimated half-lives (t1/2): 6:2 FTAB (no obvious products were detected) ≫ 6:2 FTSA (t1/2 ≈28.8 days) > 6:2 FTAA (t1/2 ≈11.5 days) > 6:2 FTNO (t1/2 ≈1.2 days). Seven transformation products of 6:2 FTSA and 15 products of 6:2 FTNO were identified through nontarget and suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The transformation pathways of 6:2 FTNO and 6:2 FTSA in aerobic sludge were proposed. Interestingly, 6:2 FTSAm was hardly hydrolyzed to 6:2 FTSA and further biotransformed to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Furthermore, the novel pathways for the generation of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from 6:2 FTSA were revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yaozhi Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Biting Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Maosen Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Meng Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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12
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Partington JM, Rana S, Szabo D, Anumol T, Clarke BO. Comparison of high-resolution mass spectrometry acquisition methods for the simultaneous quantification and identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:895-912. [PMID: 38159142 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Simultaneous identification and quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were evaluated for three quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF) acquisition methods. The acquisition methods investigated were MS-Only, all ion fragmentation (All-Ions), and automated tandem mass spectrometry (Auto-MS/MS). Target analytes were the 25 PFAS of US EPA Method 533 and the acquisition methods were evaluated by analyte response, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision, and target-suspect screening identification limit (IL). PFAS LOQs were consistent across acquisition methods, with individual PFAS LOQs within an order of magnitude. The mean and range for MS-Only, All-Ions, and Auto-MS/MS are 1.3 (0.34-5.1), 2.1 (0.49-5.1), and 1.5 (0.20-5.1) pg on column. For fast data processing and tentative identification with lower confidence, MS-Only is recommended; however, this can lead to false-positives. Where high-confidence identification, structural characterisation, and quantification are desired, Auto-MS/MS is recommended; however, cycle time should be considered where many compounds are anticipated to be present. For comprehensive screening workflows and sample archiving, All-Ions is recommended, facilitating both quantification and retrospective analysis. This study validated HRMS acquisition approaches for quantification (based upon precursor data) and exploration of identification workflows for a range of PFAS compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Partington
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sahil Rana
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Drew Szabo
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tarun Anumol
- Agilent Technologies Inc, Wilmington, DE, 19808, USA
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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13
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Chu S, Letcher RJ. A targeted and non-targeted discovery screening approach for poly-and per-fluoroalkyl substances in model environmental biota samples. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1715:464584. [PMID: 38157583 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464584] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
A comprehensive analytical approach for targeted and non-targeted discovery screening of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was developed and applied to model complex environmental biotic samples. Samples were extracted by formic acid-acetonitrile solution and cleaned up and fractionated by SPE (WAX). Target PFAS quantification was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography interfaced with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). Non-targeted analysis (NTA) PFAS screening was performed with UPLC coupled with a quadrupole-Exactive orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-Exactive-HRMS). An iterative exclusion (IE) approach was applied to data acquisition for NTA suspect screening to increase the potential for unknown PFAS discovery with MS/MS. A complex workflow in Compound Discoverer was set up to automate data processing of the PFAS suspects search. New mass lists and MS/MS databases, which included a large number of PFAS, were set up and introduced into the search for high-throughput structure identification using HRMS techniques. The integrated targeted-NTA method successfully analyzed for legacy and alternative PFAS in model environmental biota samples, namely polar bear liver and bird egg samples. Targeted analysis provided unequivocal identification of well known/established PFAS (mainly perfluoroalkyl acids) with quantification at very low levels. The NTA suspect screening was able to determine a broader range of PFAS. The data analysis method offered high-confidence annotations for PFAS despite lacking available authentic standards. Overall, the analytical coverage of PFAS was greater and elucidated other PFAS present in these model apex predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaogang Chu
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
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14
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Ghorbani Gorji S, Gómez Ramos MJ, Dewapriya P, Schulze B, Mackie R, Nguyen TMH, Higgins CP, Bowles K, Mueller JF, Thomas KV, Kaserzon SL. New PFASs Identified in AFFF Impacted Groundwater by Passive Sampling and Nontarget Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1690-1699. [PMID: 38189783 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06591] [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: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water systems impacted by aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) typically addresses a few known PFAS groups. Given the diversity of PFASs present in AFFFs, current analytical approaches do not comprehensively address the range of PFASs present in these systems. A suspect-screening and nontarget analysis (NTA) approach was developed and applied to identify novel PFASs in groundwater samples contaminated from historic AFFF use. A total of 88 PFASs were identified in both passive samplers and grab samples, and these were dominated by sulfonate derivatives and sulfonamide-derived precursors. Several ultrashort-chain (USC) PFASs (≤C3) were detected, 11 reported for the first time in Australian groundwater. Several transformation products were identified, including perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfinates (PFASis). Two new PFASs were reported (((perfluorohexyl)sulfonyl)sulfamic acid; m/z 477.9068 and (E)-1,1,2,2,3,3,4,5,6,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooct-6-ene-1-sulfonic acid; m/z 424.9482). This study highlights that several PFASs are overlooked using standard target analysis, and therefore, the potential risk from all PFASs present is likely to be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ghorbani Gorji
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - María José Gómez Ramos
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Pradeep Dewapriya
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Bastian Schulze
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel Mackie
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Thi Minh Hong Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | | | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Sarit L Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD, Australia
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15
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Wang Z, Jin X, Hong R, Wang X, Chen Z, Gao G, He H, Liu J, Gu C. New Indole Derivative Heterogeneous System for the Synergistic Reduction and Oxidation of Various Per-/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Insights into the Degradation/Defluorination Mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21459-21469. [PMID: 38056012 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The hydrated electron (eaq-) system is typically suitable for degrading perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). To enhance eaq- utilization, we synthesized a new indole compound (DIHA) that forms stable nanospheres (100-200 nm) in water via a supramolecular assembly. Herein, the DIHA nanoemulsion system exhibits high degradation efficiencies toward a broad category of PFASs, regardless of the headgroup, chain length, and branching structure, under UV (254 nm) irradiation. The strong adsorption of PFAS on the DIHA surface ensures its effective degradation/defluorination. Quenching experiments further demonstrated that the reaction took place on the surface of DIHA nanospheres. This specific heterogeneous surface reaction unveiled novel PFAS degradation and defluorination mechanisms that differ from previously reported eaq- systems. First, the photogenerated surface electrons nonselectively attacked multiple C-F bonds of the -CF2- chain. This plays a dominant degrading/defluorinating role in the DIHA system. Second, abundant hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were also produced, leading to synergistic reduction (by surface electron) and oxidation (by surface •OH) in a single system. This facilitates faster and deeper defluorination of different structured PFASs through multiple pathways. The new mechanism inspires the design of innovative organo-heterogeneous eaq- systems possessing synergistic reduction and oxidation functions, thereby making them potentially effective for treating PFAS-contaminated water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ran Hong
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| | - Xinhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhanghao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Guandao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Huan He
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jinyong Liu
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering Program, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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16
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Qiao B, Song D, Fang B, Yu H, Li X, Zhao L, Yao Y, Zhu L, Chen H, Sun H. Nontarget Screening and Fate of Emerging Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Tianjin, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20127-20137. [PMID: 37800548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03997] [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] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are typical point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) released into the environment. The suspect and nontarget screening based on gas chromatography or liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry were performed on atmosphere, wastewater, and sludge samples collected from two WWTPs in Tianjin to discover emerging PFAS and their fate in this study. A total of 40 PFAS (14 neutral and 26 ionic) and 64 PFAS were identified in the atmosphere and wastewater/sludge, respectively, among which 5 short-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide derivatives, 4 ionic PFAS, and 15 aqueous film-forming foam-related cationic or zwitterionic PFAS have rarely or never been reported in WWTPs in China. Active air sampling is more conducive to the enrichment of emerging PFAS, while passive sampling is inclined to leave out some ultrashort-chain PFAS or unstable transformation intermediates. Moreover, most precursors and intermediates could be enriched in the atmosphere at night, while the PFAS associated with aerosols with high water content or particles enter the atmosphere easily during the day. Although most emerging PFAS could not be eliminated efficiently in conventional treatment units, deep bed filtration and advanced oxidation processes could partly remove some emerging precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biting Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Dongbao Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Bo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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17
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Kirkwood-Donelson KI, Dodds JN, Schnetzer A, Hall N, Baker ES. Uncovering per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with nontargeted ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry analyses. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj7048. [PMID: 37878714 PMCID: PMC10599621 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Because of environmental and health concerns, legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been voluntarily phased out, and thousands of emerging PFAS introduced as replacements. Traditional analytical methods target a limited number of mainly legacy PFAS; therefore, many species are not routinely assessed in the environment. Nontargeted approaches using high-resolution mass spectrometry methods have therefore been used to detect and characterize unknown PFAS. However, their ability to elucidate chemical structures relies on generation of informative fragments, and many low concentration species are not fragmented in typical data-dependent acquisition approaches. Here, a data-independent method leveraging ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and size-dependent fragmentation was developed and applied to characterize aquatic passive samplers deployed near a North Carolina fluorochemical manufacturer. From the study, 11 PFAS structures for various per- and polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids and multiheaded perfluorinated ether acids were elucidated in addition to 36 known PFAS. Eight of these species were previously unreported in environmental media, and three suspected species were validated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James N. Dodds
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Astrid Schnetzer
- Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC,, USA
| | - Nathan Hall
- Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, NC, USA
| | - Erin S. Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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18
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Deng Y, Peng L, Li Z, Xu W, Ren G, Wang F. First determination on two kinds of microplastic-air partition coefficients of seven per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances under environmentally relative conditions: Experiment measurement and model prediction. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132042. [PMID: 37480612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in the environment are the sink and vector of organic contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Although PFASs are low- and non-volatile compounds, they have the potential to partition and diffuse from MP into the gas phase in the environmental functions. Herein, the MP-air partition coefficient (KPA) of seven PFASs was measured using a solid-fugacity meter. The PFAS KPA values in two MPs (high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)) were determined under different times, temperatures, and relative humidities (RH), and a model was developed to predict the PFAS KPA values based on the measured data. The results showed that the KPA of PFASs increased with the prolonged partition time until 90 mins, and higher temperature and RH facilitated the distribution of PFASs in MPs into the air phase, leading to smaller KPA values. Moreover, the derived equation for predicting PFAS log KPA values was robust with 0.79 of an adjusted square of correlation coefficient (R2adjusted = 0.79) and 0.35 of root mean squared error (RMSE = 0.35). These findings provided the first knowledge for understanding the partition behavior and fate of PFASs in the MP-air microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Deng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Lin Peng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Zhendong Li
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Wang Xu
- Shenzhen Environmental Monitoring Center, Shenzhen 518049, Guangdong, China
| | - Gang Ren
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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19
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Jiao E, Larsson P, Wang Q, Zhu Z, Yin D, Kärrman A, van Hees P, Karlsson P, Qiu Y, Yeung LWY. Further Insight into Extractable (Organo)fluorine Mass Balance Analysis of Tap Water from Shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14330-14339. [PMID: 37710968 PMCID: PMC10537424 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02718] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the detection of unexplained extractable organofluorine (EOF) in drinking water have raised growing concerns. A recent study reported the detection of inorganic fluorinated anions in German river systems, and therefore, in some samples, EOF may include some inorganic fluorinated anions. Thus, it might be more appropriate to use the term "extractable fluorine (EF) analysis" instead of the term EOF analysis. In this study, tap water samples (n = 39) from Shanghai were collected to assess the levels of EF/EOF, 35 target PFAS, two inorganic fluorinated anions (tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) and hexafluorophosphate (PF6-)), and novel PFAS through suspect screening and potential oxidizable precursors through oxidative conversion. The results showed that ultra-short PFAS were the largest contributors to target PFAS, accounting for up to 97% of ΣPFAS. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NTf2) was reported in drinking water from China, and p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) was also identified through suspect screening. Small amounts of precursors that can be oxidatively converted to PFCAs were noted after oxidative conversion. EF mass balance analysis revealed that target PFAS could only explain less than 36% of EF. However, the amounts of unexplained extractable fluorine were greatly reduced when BF4- and PF6- were included. These compounds further explained more than 44% of the EF, indicating the role of inorganic fluorinated anions in the mass balance analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enmiao Jiao
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Pontus Larsson
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Qi Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City
University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zhiliang Zhu
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Patrick van Hees
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
- Eurofins
Food and Feed Testing Sweden AB, Sjöhagsgatan 3, SE-531 40 Lidköping, Sweden
| | - Patrik Karlsson
- Eurofins
Food and Feed Testing Sweden AB, Sjöhagsgatan 3, SE-531 40 Lidköping, Sweden
| | - Yanling Qiu
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Leo W. Y. Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
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20
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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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21
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Xiao F, Challa Sasi P, Alinezhad A, Sun R, Abdulmalik Ali M. Thermal Phase Transition and Rapid Degradation of Forever Chemicals (PFAS) in Spent Media Using Induction Heating. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2023; 3:1370-1380. [PMID: 37705671 PMCID: PMC10497035 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.3c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we have developed an innovative thermal degradation strategy for treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-containing solid materials. Our strategy satisfies three criteria: the ability to achieve near-complete degradation of PFASs within a short timescale, nonselectivity, and low energy cost. In our method, a metallic reactor containing a PFAS-laden sample was subjected to electromagnetic induction that prompted a rapid temperature rise of the reactor via the Joule heating effect. We demonstrated that subjecting PFASs (0.001-12 μmol) to induction heating for a brief duration (e.g., <40 s) resulted in substantial degradation (>90%) of these compounds, including recalcitrant short-chain PFASs and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. This finding prompted us to conduct a detailed study of the thermal phase transitions of PFASs using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We identified at least two endothermic DSC peaks for anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic PFASs, signifying the melting and evaporation of the melted PFASs. Melting and evaporation points of many PFASs were reported for the first time. Our data suggest that the rate-limiting step in PFAS thermal degradation is linked with phase transitions (e.g., evaporation) occurring on different time scales. When PFASs are rapidly heated to temperatures similar to those produced during induction heating, the evaporation of melted PFAS slows down, allowing for the degradation of the melted PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xiao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Pavankumar Challa Sasi
- Department of Civil
Engineering, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 8115, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
- EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031, United States
| | - Ali Alinezhad
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Runze Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Mansurat Abdulmalik Ali
- Department of Civil
Engineering, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 8115, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
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22
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Lin EZ, Nason SL, Zhong A, Fortner J, Godri Pollitt KJ. Trace analysis of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in dried blood spots - Demonstration of reproducibility and comparability to venous blood samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163530. [PMID: 37094673 PMCID: PMC10248884 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163530] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in consumer, personal care, and household products for their stain- and water-repellent properties. PFAS exposure has been linked to various adverse health outcomes. Such exposure has commonly been evaluated in venous blood samples. While this sample type can be obtained from healthy adults, a less invasive method of blood collection is required when evaluating vulnerable populations. Dried blood spots (DBS) have gained attention as a biomatrix for exposure assessment given the relative ease of collection, transport, and storage. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method to measure PFAS in DBS. A workflow is presented for extracting PFAS from DBS, chemical analysis by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, normalization for blood mass, and blank correction to account for potential contamination. Over 80 % recovery was achieved for the 22 PFAS measured with an average coefficient of variation of 14 %. Comparison of PFAS concentrations detected in DBS and paired whole blood samples from six healthy adults was correlated (R2 > 0.9). Findings demonstrate trace levels of a broad range of PFAS in DBS can be reproducibly measured and are comparable to liquid whole blood samples. DBS can offer novel insights to environmental exposures, including during critical windows of susceptibility (i.e., in utero, early life), which have been largely uncharacterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Analytical Chemistry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Alexander Zhong
- Department of Quantitative Theory and Methods, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - John Fortner
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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23
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Strynar M, McCord J, Newton S, Washington J, Barzen-Hanson K, Trier X, Liu Y, Dimzon IK, Bugsel B, Zwiener C, Munoz G. Practical application guide for the discovery of novel PFAS in environmental samples using high resolution mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:575-588. [PMID: 37516787 PMCID: PMC10561087 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00578-2] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of the topics of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) bring together two disparate and complex subjects. Recently non-targeted analysis (NTA) for the discovery of novel PFAS in environmental and biological media has been shown to be valuable in multiple applications. Classical targeted analysis for PFAS using LC-MS/MS, though growing in compound coverage, is still unable to inform a holistic understanding of the PFAS burden in most samples. NTA fills at least a portion of this data gap. OBJECTIVES Entrance into the study of novel PFAS discovery requires identification techniques such as HRMS (e.g., QTOF and Orbitrap) instrumentation. This requires practical knowledge of best approaches depending on the purpose of the analyses. The utility of HRMS applications for PFAS discovery is unquestioned and will likely play a significant role in many future environmental and human exposure studies. METHODS/RESULTS PFAS have some characteristics that make them standout from most other chemicals present in samples. Through a series of tell-tale PFAS characteristics (e.g., characteristic mass defect range, homologous series and characteristic fragmentation patterns), and case studies different approaches and remaining challenges are demonstrated. IMPACT STATEMENT The identification of novel PFAS via non-targeted analysis using high resolution mass spectrometry is an important and difficult endeavor. This synopsis document will hopefully make current and future efforts on this topic easier to perform for novice and experienced alike. The typical time devoted to NTA PFAS investigations (weeks to months or more) may benefit from these practical steps employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Strynar
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA.
| | - James McCord
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA
| | - Seth Newton
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA
| | - John Washington
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Xenia Trier
- Section of Environmental Chemistry and Physics, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yanna Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085, Beijing, China
| | - Ian Ken Dimzon
- Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Boris Bugsel
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Zwiener
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
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24
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Gobindlal K, Shields E, Whitehill A, Weber CC, Sperry J. Mechanochemical destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous film-forming foams and contaminated soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. ADVANCES 2023; 2:982-989. [PMID: 37650024 PMCID: PMC10462926 DOI: 10.1039/d3va00099k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of synthetic chemicals of concern that exhibit extreme persistence within the environment and possess physicochemical properties that are resistant to targeted degradation. Comprising substantial concentrations of PFASs, aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) present a major exposure pathway to the environment having been applied to land at firefighting-training sites globally for decades. This has led to significant contamination of environmental media. Herein, we demonstrate that mechanochemical destruction (MCD) is an effective method for the destruction of PFASs in an AFFF concentrate and an authentic sample of PFAS-contaminated soil derived from a decommissioned firefighting training facility. Both targeted analysis and non-targeted analysis were used in this study to evaluate the degradation of PFASs in complex substrates during MCD treatment. Destruction efficiencies of target PFAS subgroups ranged from 99.88% to 100%. The only additive employed for MCD treatment was quartz sand, which was used only for the liquid AFFF sample, with no additives required for the destruction of PFASs in the contaminated soil. This confirms the viability of MCD for both the remediation of PFAS-contaminated land and the destruction of stockpiled AFFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapish Gobindlal
- Centre for Green Chemical Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Erin Shields
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew Whitehill
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cameron C Weber
- Centre for Green Chemical Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Sperry
- Centre for Green Chemical Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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25
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Carrizo JC, Munoz G, Vo Duy S, Liu M, Houde M, Amé MV, Liu J, Sauvé S. PFAS in fish from AFFF-impacted environments: Analytical method development and field application at a Canadian international civilian airport. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163103. [PMID: 36972881 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Methods targeting anionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic biota are well established, but commonly overlook many PFAS classes present in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Here, we developed an analytical method for the expanded analysis of negative and positive ion mode PFAS in fish tissues. Eight variations of extraction solvents and clean-up protocols were first tested to recover 70 AFFF-derived PFAS from the fish matrix. Anionic, zwitterionic, and cationic PFAS displayed the best responses with methanol-based ultrasonication methods. The response of long-chain PFAS was improved for extracts submitted to graphite filtration alone compared with those involving solid-phase extraction. The validation included an assessment of linearity, absolute recovery, matrix effects, accuracy, intraday/interday precision, and trueness. The method was applied to a set of freshwater fish samples collected in 2020 in the immediate vicinity (creek, n = 15) and downstream (river, n = 15) of an active fire-training area at an international civilian airport in Ontario, Canada. While zwitterionic fluorotelomer betaines were major components of the subsurface AFFF source zone, they were rarely detected in fish, suggesting limited bioaccumulation potential. PFOS largely dominated the PFAS profile, with record-high concentrations in brook sticklebacks (Culaea inconstans) from the creek (16000-110,000 ng/g wet weight whole-body). These levels exceeded the Canadian Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (FEQG) for PFOS pertaining to the Federal Fish Tissue Guideline (FFTG) for fish protection and Federal Wildlife Diet Guidelines (FWiDG) for the protection of mammalian and avian consumers of aquatic biota. Perfluorohexane sulfonamide and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate were among the precursors detected at the highest levels (maximum of ∼340 ng/g and ∼1100 ng/g, respectively), likely reflecting extensive degradation and/or biotransformation of C6 precursors originally present in AFFF formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cruz Carrizo
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; CONICET, CIBICI and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Dpto. Bioquímica Clínica, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - María Valeria Amé
- CONICET, CIBICI and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Dpto. Bioquímica Clínica, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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26
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Olomukoro AA, DeRosa C, Gionfriddo E. Investigation of the adsorption/desorption mechanism of perfluoroalkyl substances on HLB-WAX extraction phases for microextraction. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1260:341206. [PMID: 37121661 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The C-F alkyl structural backbone of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances makes this class of molecules resistant to heat and degradation, leading to their high persistence and mobility in the environment and bioaccumulation in the tissues of living organisms. In this study, 15 PFAS with an alkyl chain length from C4 to C14, currently monitored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), were preconcentrated by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The adsorption and desorption mechanisms of PFAS onto ion-exchange extraction phases was evaluated to understand the extraction process of PFAS from various environmental matrices under different conditions. This was achieved using two SPME geometries, namely fibers and thin films. The use of thin films resulted in a twofold improvement in extraction efficiency compared to fibers, especially for the short-chain PFAS. Methanol:water (80:20, v/v) was chosen as the optimized desorption solution, with ammonium formate added to minimize carryover. Extraction time profiles for both SPME geometries showed faster equilibration with thin films (30 min) compared to fibers (90-120 min). The linear dynamic range obtained with this method using fibers and thin films ranged from 10 to 5000 ng L-1 and 2.5-5000 ng L-1, respectively, with acceptable accuracy (70-130%) and precision (<15%). LOD ranged within 2.5-10 ng L-1 for fibers and 0.01-0.25 ng L-1 for thin films. Investigating the factors affecting PFAS recovery in complex samples enabled the quantitative assessment of PFAS contamination in various environmental water samples such as seawater, melted snow and biospecimens like human plasma. A 96-SPME holder was used for validation, which is compatible with sampling in 96-well plates and ensures high throughput in the analysis of real samples. The total concentration of PFAS detected in seawater and snow was 51.3 ng L-1 and 16.4 ng L-1, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aghogho A Olomukoro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA; Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratories for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Charlotte DeRosa
- Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratories for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA; College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Emanuela Gionfriddo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA; Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratories for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA; School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA.
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27
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Zheng Y, Bao M, Yao Y, Zhao M, Chen H, Sun H, Sun C, Zhao H, Pan Y. Discovery of 35 novel classes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in representative commercial fluorinated products in China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131780. [PMID: 37290352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have received increasing scientific and regulatory attention due to their global distribution and health hazards. However, little is known about the PFAS composition of fluorinated products commercially available in China. In this study, a sensitive and robust analytical method was proposed for the comprehensive characterization of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam and fluorocarbon surfactants in the domestic market based on liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry in full scan acquisition mode followed by parallel reaction monitoring mode. Consequently, a total of 102 PFAS from 59 classes were elucidated, of which 35 classes are reported for the first time, including 27 classes of anionic, seven classes of zwitterionic, and one class of cationic PFAS. The anionic-type products are mainly C6 fluorotelomerization-based (FT-based) PFAS. Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate are negligible, while some known electrochemical fluorination-based long-chain precursors in zwitterionic products are worthy of concern because of their high abundance and potential degradation. New precursors detected in zwitterionic products are FT-based PFAS, for example, 6:2 FTSAPr-AHOE and 6:2 FTSAPr-diMeAmPrC. The structural elucidation of PFAS in commercial products facilitates a better assessment of human exposure and environmental release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mian Bao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Maosen Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Cuirong Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongzhi Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Yuanjiang Pan
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, China.
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28
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Gonda N, Choyke S, Schaefer C, Higgins CP, Voelker B. Hydroxyl Radical Transformations of Perfluoroalkyl Acid (PFAA) Precursors in Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:8053-8064. [PMID: 37200532 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Historical releases of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) are significant sources of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors, to the environment. While several studies have focused on microbial biotransformation of polyfluorinated precursors to PFAAs, the role of abiotic transformations at AFFF-impacted sites is less clear. Herein, we use photochemically generated hydroxyl radical to demonstrate that environmentally relevant concentrations of hydroxyl radical (•OH) can play a significant role in these transformations. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used to perform targeted analysis, suspect screening, and nontargeted analyses, which were used to identify the major products of AFFF-derived PFASs as perfluorocarboxylic acids, though several potentially semi-stable intermediates were also observed. Using competition kinetics in a UV/H2O2 system, hydroxyl radical rate constants (kOH) for 24 AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl precursors were measured to be 0.28 to 3.4 × 109 M-1 s-1. Differences in kOH were observed for compounds with differing headgroups and perfluoroalkyl chain lengths. Also, differences in kOH measured for the only relevant precursor standard available, n-[3-propyl]tridecafluorohexanesulphonamide (AmPr-FHxSA), as compared to AmPr-FHxSA present in AFFF suggest that intermolecular associations in the AFFF matrix may affect kOH. Considering environmentally relevant [•OH]ss, polyfluoroalkyl precursors are expected to exhibit half-lives of ∼8 days in sunlit surface waters and possibly as short as ∼2 h during oxygenation of Fe(II)-rich subsurface systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Gonda
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Sarah Choyke
- 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
| | - Bettina Voelker
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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29
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Ruyle BJ, Thackray CP, Butt CM, LeBlanc DR, Tokranov AK, Vecitis CD, Sunderland EM. Centurial Persistence of Forever Chemicals at Military Fire Training Sites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:8096-8106. [PMID: 37184088 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widespread near more than 300 United States (U.S.) military bases that used aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for fire training and firefighting activities. Much of the PFAS at these sites consist of precursors that can transform into terminal compounds of known health concern but are omitted from standard analytical methods. Here, we estimate the expected duration and contribution of precursor biotransformation to groundwater PFAS contamination at an AFFF-contaminated military base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States, by optimizing a geochemical box model using measured PFAS concentrations from a multidecadal time series of groundwater and a soil survey in the source zone. A toolbox of analytical techniques used to reconstruct the mass budget of PFAS showed that precursors accounted for 46 ± 8% of the extractable organofluorine (a proxy for total PFAS) across years. Terminal PFAS still exceed regulatory limits by 2000-fold decades after AFFF use ceased. Measurements and numerical modeling show that sulfonamido precursors are retained in the vadose zone and their slow biotransformation into perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (half-life > 66 yr) sustains groundwater concentrations of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). The estimated PFAS reservoir in the vadose zone and modeled flux into groundwater suggest PFAS contamination above regulatory guidelines will persist for centuries without remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridger J Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Colin P Thackray
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Craig M Butt
- SCIEX, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701, United States
| | - Denis R LeBlanc
- U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Northborough, Massachusetts 01532, United States
| | - Andrea K Tokranov
- U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Northborough, Massachusetts 01532, United States
| | - Chad D Vecitis
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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30
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Song C, Zheng J, Zhang Q, Yuan H, Yu A, Zhang W, Zhang S, Ouyang G. Multifunctionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks for Broad-Spectrum Extraction and Ultrasensitive Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Anal Chem 2023; 95:7770-7778. [PMID: 37154520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of surface and ground water by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has become a growing concern, and the structural diversity of PFASs is the major challenge for their ubiquitous applications. Strategies for monitoring coexistent anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic PFASs even at trace levels in aquatic environments are urgently demanded for effective pollution control. Herein, novel amide group and perfluoroalkyl chain-functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COFs) named COF-NH-CO-F9 are successfully synthesized and used for highly efficient extraction of broad-spectrum PFASs, attributing to their unique structure and the multifunctional groups. Under the optimal conditions, a simple and high-sensitivity method is established to quantify 14 PFASs including anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic species by coupling solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the first time. The established method displays high enrichment factors (EFs) of 66-160, ultrahigh sensitivity with low limits of detection (LODs) of 0.0035-0.18 ng L-1, a wide linearity of 0.1-2000 ng L-1 with correlation coefficient (R2) ≥0.9925, and satisfactory precision with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤11.2%. The excellent performance is validated in real water samples with recoveries of 77.1-108% and RSDs ≤11.4%. This work highlights the potential of rational design of COFs with the desired structure and functionality for the broad-spectrum enrichment and ultrasensitive determination of PFASs in real applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Song
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
| | - Juan Zheng
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry/School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P. R. China
| | - Qidong Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
- Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, China National Tobacco Corporation, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
| | - Hang Yuan
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
| | - Ajuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
| | - Wenfen Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
| | - Shusheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
| | - Gangfeng Ouyang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Avenue 100, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P. R. China
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry/School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P. R. China
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Liu M, Munoz G, Hermiston J, Zhang J, Vo Duy S, Wang D, Sundar Dey A, Bottos EM, Van Hamme JD, Lee LS, Sauvé S, Liu J. High Persistence of Novel Polyfluoroalkyl Betaines in Aerobic Soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:7442-7453. [PMID: 37144860 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Some contemporary aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) contain n:3 and n:1:2 fluorotelomer betaines (FTBs), which are often detected at sites impacted by AFFFs. As new chemical replacements, little is known about their environmental fate. For the first time, we investigated the biotransformation potential of 5:3 and 5:1:2 FTBs and a commercial AFFF that mainly contains n:3 and n:1:2 FTBs (n = 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13). Although some polyfluoroalkyl compounds are precursors to perfluoroalkyl acids, 5:3 and 5:1:2 FTBs exhibited high persistence, with no significant changes even after 120 days of incubation. While the degradation of 5:3 FTB into suspected products such as fluorotelomer acids or perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) could not be conclusively confirmed, we did identify a potential biotransformation product, 5:3 fluorotelomer methylamine. Similarly, 5:1:2 FTB did not break down or produce short-chain hydrogen-substituted polyfluoroalkyl acids (n:2 H-FTCA), hydrogen-substituted PFCA (2H-PFCA), or any other products. Incubating the AFFF in four soils with differing properties and microbial communities resulted in 0.023-0.25 mol % PFCAs by day 120. Most of the products are believed to be derived from n:2 fluorotelomers, minor components of the AFFF. Therefore, the findings of the study cannot be fully explained by the current understanding of structure-biodegradability relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Juliana Hermiston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 0C8, Canada
| | - Ju Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Anindya Sundar Dey
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Eric M Bottos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 0C8, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Van Hamme
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 0C8, Canada
| | - Linda S Lee
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906, United States
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
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Munoz G, Liu M, Vo Duy S, Liu J, Sauvé S. Target and nontarget screening of PFAS in drinking water for a large-scale survey of urban and rural communities in Québec, Canada. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119750. [PMID: 36827766 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119750] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Limited monitoring data are available regarding the occurrence of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Here, we validated an analytical procedure for 42 PFAS with individual detection limits of 0.001-0.082 ng/L. We also evaluated how different sample pH conditions, dechlorinating agents, and storage holding times might affect method performance. PFAS were analyzed in tap water samples collected at a large spatial scale in Quebec, Canada, covering 376 municipalities within 17 administrative regions. Target and nontarget screening revealed the presence of 31 and 23 compounds, respectively, representing 24 homolog classes. Overall, 99.3% of the tap water samples were positive for at least one PFAS, and the ƩPFAS ranged from below detection limits to 108 ng/L (95th percentile: 13 ng/L). On average, ƩPFAS was 12 times higher in tap water produced from surface water than groundwater; however, 6 of the top 10 contaminated locations were groundwater-based. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had high detection rates (88% and 80%, respectively). PFOS (median: 0.15 ng/L; max: 13 ng/L) and PFOA (median: 0.27 ng/L; max: 8.1 ng/L) remained much lower than current Health Canada guidelines but higher than USEPA's interim updated health advisories. Short-chain (C3-C6) perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides were also recurrent, especially the C4 homolog (FBSA: detection rate of 50%). The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonyl propanoamido dimethyl ethyl sulfonate (6:2 FTSO2PrAd-DiMeEtS) was locally detected at ∼15 ng/L and recurred in 8% of our samples. Multiple PFAS that are most likely to originate from aqueous film-forming foams were also reported for the first time in tap water, including X:3 and X:1:2 fluorotelomer betaines, hydroxylated X:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates, N-trimethylammoniopropyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (TAmPr-FHxSA and TAmPr-FOSA), and N-sulfopropyl dimethylammoniopropyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamidopropyl sulfonates (N-SPAmP-FPeSAPS and N-SPAmP-FHxSAPS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Camdzic D, Dickman RA, Joyce AS, Wallace JS, Ferguson PL, Aga DS. Quantitation of Total PFAS Including Trifluoroacetic Acid with Fluorine Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2023; 95:5484-5488. [PMID: 36946571 PMCID: PMC10601338 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance (19F-NMR) spectroscopy has been shown to be a powerful tool capable of quantifying the total per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a complex sample. The technique relies on the characteristic terminal -CF3 shift (-82.4 ppm) in the alkyl chain for quantification and does not introduce bias due to sample preparation or matrix effects. Traditional quantitative analytical techniques for PFAS, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and combustion ion chromatography (CIC), contain inherent limitations that make total fluorine analysis challenging. Here, we report a sensitive 19F-NMR method for the analysis of total PFAS, with a limit of detection of 99.97 nM, or 50 μg/L perfluorosulfonic acid. To demonstrate the capabilities of 19F-NMR, the technique was compared to two commonly used methods for PFAS analysis: total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay and LC-high resolution MS analysis for targeted quantification and suspect screening. In both cases, the 19F-NMR analyses detected higher total PFAS quantities than either the TOP assay (63%) or LC-MS analyses (65%), suggesting that LC-MS and TOP assays can lead to underreporting of PFAS. Importantly, the 19F-NMR detected trifluoroacetic acid at a concentration more than five times the total PFAS concentration quantified using LC-MS in the wastewater sample. Therefore, the use of 19F-NMR to quantify the total PFAS in highly complex samples can be used to complement classic TOP or LC-MS approaches for more accurate reporting of PFAS contamination in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Camdzic
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Rebecca A Dickman
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Abigail S Joyce
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Joshua S Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
- RENEW Institute, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - P Lee Ferguson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Diana S Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
- RENEW Institute, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
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Bhat AP, Pomerantz WCK, Arnold WA. Wavelength-Dependent UV-LED Photolysis of Fluorinated Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5327-5336. [PMID: 36962003 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00627] [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: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The wavelength dependence of photoproduct formation and quantum yields was evaluated for fluorinated pesticides and pharmaceuticals using UV-light emitting diodes (LEDs) with 255, 275, 308, 365, and 405 nm peak wavelengths. The fluorinated compounds chosen were saflufenacil, penoxsulam, sulfoxaflor, fluoxetine, 4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylphenol (TFM), florasulam, voriconazole, and favipiravir, covering key fluorine motifs (benzylic-CF3, heteroaromatic-CF3, aryl-F, and heteroaromatic-F). Quantum yields for the compounds were consistently higher for UV-C as compared to UV-A wavelengths and did not show the same trend as molar absorptivity. For all compounds except favipiravir and TFM, the fastest degradation was observed using 255 or 275 nm light, despite the low power of the LEDs. Using quantitative 19F NMR, fluoride, trifluoroacetate, and additional fluorinated byproducts were tracked and quantified. Trifluoroacetate was observed for both Ar-CF3 and Het-CF3 motifs and increased at longer wavelengths for Het-CF3. Fluoride formation from Het-CF3 was significantly lower as compared to other motifs. Ar-F and Het-F motifs readily formed fluoride at all wavelengths. For Het-CF3 and some Ar-CF3 motifs, 365 nm light produced either a greater number of or different major products. Aliphatic-CF2/CF3 products were stable under all wavelengths. These results assist in selecting the most efficient wavelengths for UV-LED degradation and informing future design of fluorinated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash P Bhat
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - William C K Pomerantz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - William A Arnold
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Wang H, Luo F, Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhang S, Zhang J, Tian Y, Zheng L. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and child intelligence quotient: Evidence from the Shanghai birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107912. [PMID: 37023630 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107912] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Epidemiological evidence on the association between prenatal exposure to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and child cognition remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether prenatal exposure to PFAS is associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) in offspring. METHOD This study population included 2031 mother-child pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) enrolled during 2013-2016. Ten PFAS were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in maternal plasma samples collected in early gestation between 9 and 16 weeks of gestation. Child IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) at 4 years of age. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between individual PFAS concentrations (as a continuous variable or categorized into tertiles) and child IQ. A quantile g-computation approach was used to evaluate the joint and independent effects of PFAS on IQ. We also examined whether the associations varied by child sex. RESULTS We found no significant associations between ln-transformed nine individual PFAS and child full scale IQ (FSIQ) or subscale IQ after adjusting for potential confounders. The observed associations were not modified by child sex. PFAS in tertiles showed the same pattern. Results from quantile g-computation showed that PFAS mixture was not associated with child IQ; perfluorobutane sulfonate was negatively associated with FSIQ (β, -0.81; 95 % CI: -1.55, -0.07), and perfluorooctane sulfonate was also associated with lower fluid reasoning index scores (β, -1.61; 95 % CI: -3.07, -0.16) while adjusting for the other PFAS. CONCLUSION PFAS mixture during early pregnancy was not associated with child IQ. For certain individual PFAS, there were inverse associations with FSIQ or subscale IQ. Considering the evidence is still inconsistent, further research is needed to confirm or refute these results in other populations and to elucidate the potential neurotoxicology of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fei Luo
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuchen Yang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanyu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Zheng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Sivagami K, Sharma P, Karim AV, Mohanakrishna G, Karthika S, Divyapriya G, Saravanathamizhan R, Kumar AN. Electrochemical-based approaches for the treatment of forever chemicals: Removal of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160440. [PMID: 36436638 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical based approaches for the treatment of recalcitrant water borne pollutants are known to exhibit superior function in terms of efficiency and rate of treatment. Considering the stability of Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are designated as forever chemicals, which generating from various industrial activities. PFAS are contaminating the environment in small concentrations, yet exhibit severe environmental and health impacts. Electro-oxidation (EO) is a recent development that treats PFAS, in which different reactive species generates at anode due to oxidative reaction and reductive reactions at the cathode. Compared to water and wastewater treatment methods those being implemented, electrochemical approaches demonstrate superior function against PFAS. EO completely mineralizes (almost 100 %) non-biodegradable organic matter and eliminate some of the inorganic species, which proven as a robust and versatile technology. Electrode materials, electrolyte concentration pH and the current density applying for electrochemical processes determine the treatment efficiency. EO along with electrocoagulation (EC) treats PFAS along with other pollutants from variety of industries showed highest degradation of 7.69 mmol/g of PFAS. Integrated approach with other processes was found to exhibit improved efficiency in treating PFAS using several electrodes boron-doped diamond (BDD), zinc, titanium and lead based with efficiency the range of 64 to 97 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sivagami
- Industrial Ecology Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
| | - Pranshu Sharma
- Industrial Ecology Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ansaf V Karim
- Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Gunda Mohanakrishna
- School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, Hubli 580031, India.
| | - S Karthika
- Industrial Ecology Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - G Divyapriya
- Swiss Government Excellence Postdoctoral Scholar, Multi-Scale Robotics Lab (MSRL), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Switzerland
| | - R Saravanathamizhan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, A.C. College of Technology, Anna University, India
| | - A Naresh Kumar
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Tang C, Zhu Y, Liang Y, Zeng YH, Peng X, Mai BX, Xu J, Huang Q, Lin H. First Discovery of Iodinated Polyfluoroalkyl Acids by Nontarget Mass-Spectrometric Analysis and Iodine-Specific Screening Algorithm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1378-1390. [PMID: 36622151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) including polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and polyfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids are a large category of crucial environmental pollutants of global concern. Besides known PFAAs, numerous unknown species may exist in the environment, urgently needing discovery and characterization. This study implemented nontarget analysis for a group of novel PFAA pollutants, viz., iodinated PFAAs (I-PFAAs) in wastewater from a fluorochemical manufacturing park by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry in combination with an iodine-specific data-processing algorithm. The algorithm took into account the diagnostic fragment iodine ion (I-) together with carbon and sulfur isotopologue distributions. In total, 18 I-PFAA formulas involving 21 congeners were identified. Semiquantification was conducted, and the total concentrations of I-PFAAs were 1.9-274.7 μg/L, indicating severe pollution of I-PFAAs in the wastewater. The determined concentrations along with predicted environmental behaviors and toxicities demonstrate that I-PFAAs merit further in-depth investigation. The analytical method including the instrumental analysis and data-processing algorithm can be extended to screening and identification of I-PFAAs in other matrices. Furthermore, the analysis results for the first time provide recognition on the occurrence, distribution features, and pollution status of I-PFAAs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiming Tang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Yizhe Zhu
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
| | - Yutao Liang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Xianzhi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Jiale Xu
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota58102, United States
| | - Qingguo Huang
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia30223, United States
| | - Hui Lin
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
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38
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Lang JR, McDonough J, Guillette TC, Storch P, Anderson J, Liles D, Prigge R, Miles JAL, Divine C. Characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on fire suppression system piping and optimization of removal methods. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136254. [PMID: 36108758 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136254] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fire suppression systems are known to be impacted with residual, entrained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) because of historical use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and fluoroprotein foam. Amphiphilic PFASs aggregate at liquid:solid interfaces creating a hydrophobic layer which reduces the effectiveness of water to remove PFAS from layered surfaces. When fire suppression systems are transitioned to fluorine free foam (F3) without appropriate cleaning, residual PFASs associated with the surfaces of the fire suppression system can contaminate the replacement F3. Release of residual PFASs from fire suppression systems into F3 has been documented; however, little is known about the residual PFASs associated with the surfaces of the fire suppression systems. More information is needed to develop methods to appropriately remove PFASs from fire suppression systems to prevent costly and inefficient foam transitioning and preserve the PFAS-free benefit of F3. The objective of this work was to evaluate the distribution and composition of PFASs on hangar piping exposed to PFAS-containing firefighting foam for a prolonged period. Two assessment methods were used: 1) extractions with methanol, water, and a proprietary aqueous organic solvent (Fluoro Fighter™); and 2) direct imaging methods of the surface. Extractions were analyzed with mass spectrometry and combustion ion chromatography. Results indicate pipe in contact with PFAS-containing firefighting foam can amass approximately 10 μg/cm2 of surface-associated PFAS residual following decades of exposure. Fluoro Fighter demonstrated higher PFAS removal per surface area of pipe than methanol (p = 0.007) or water extraction (p < 0.0001). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the hangar piping reveal deposits suspected to be self-assembled PFAS layers, as evidenced by examination of pipe surfaces using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which revealed atomic fluorine on the surface of the pipe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnsie R Lang
- Arcadis G&M of North Carolina, Inc., 5420 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 350, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
| | | | - T C Guillette
- Arcadis G&M of North Carolina, Inc., 5420 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 350, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
| | - Peter Storch
- Arcadis, 120 Edward Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000, Australia.
| | - John Anderson
- Arcadis, 482 Congress Street, Suite 501, Portland, ME 04101, USA.
| | - David Liles
- Arcadis G&M of North Carolina, Inc., 4915 Prospectus Drive Unit G, Durham, NC, 27713, USA.
| | - Robert Prigge
- Arcadis G&M of North Carolina, Inc., 4915 Prospectus Drive Unit G, Durham, NC, 27713, USA.
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Stamm J, DeJesus L, Jones AD, Dantus M. Quantitative Identification of Nonpolar Perfluoroalkyl Substances by Mass Spectrometry. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:8851-8858. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c05373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Stamm
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
| | - Lindsey DeJesus
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
| | - A. Daniel Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
- Center for PFAS Research, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
| | - Marcos Dantus
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
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40
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Cook EK, Olivares CI, Antell EH, Yi S, Nickerson A, Choi YJ, Higgins CP, Sedlak DL, Alvarez-Cohen L. Biological and Chemical Transformation of the Six-Carbon Polyfluoroalkyl Substance N-Dimethyl Ammonio Propyl Perfluorohexane Sulfonamide (AmPr-FHxSA). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15478-15488. [PMID: 36257682 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sites impacted by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) contain co-contaminants that can stimulate biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances. Here, we compare how microbial enrichments from AFFF-impacted soil amended with diethyl glycol monobutyl ether (found in AFFF), aromatic hydrocarbons (present in co-released fuels), acetate, and methane (substrates used or formed during bioremediation) impact the aerobic biotransformation of an AFFF-derived six-carbon electrochemical fluorination (ECF) precursor N-dimethyl ammonio propyl perfluorohexane sulfonamide (AmPr-FHxSA). We found that methane- and acetate-oxidizing cultures resulted in the highest yields of identifiable products (38 and 30%, respectively), including perfluorohexane sulfonamide (FHxSA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Using these data, we propose and detail a transformation pathway. Additionally, we examined chemical oxidation products of AmPr-FHxSA and FHxSA to provide insights on remediation strategies for AmPr-FHxSA. We demonstrate mineralization of these compounds using the sulfate radical and test their transformation during the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. While perfluorohexanoic acid accounted for over 95% of the products formed, we demonstrate here for the first time two ECF-based precursors, AmPr-FHxSA and FHxSA, that produce PFHxS during the TOP assay. These findings have implications for monitoring poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances during site remediation and application of the TOP assay at sites impacted by ECF-based precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Cook
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christopher I Olivares
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Edmund H Antell
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Shan Yi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Anastasia Nickerson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Youn Jeong Choi
- 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
| | - David L Sedlak
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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41
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Rana S, Marchiandi J, Partington JM, Szabo D, Heffernan AL, Symons RK, Xie S, Clarke BO. Identification of novel polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water runoff from a chemical stockpile fire. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120055. [PMID: 36055454 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2018, over 30,000 L of fluorine-free firefighting foam was used to extinguish an industrial warehouse fire of uncharacterized chemical and industrial waste. Contaminated firewater and runoff were discharged to an adjacent freshwater creek in Melbourne, Australia. In this study, we applied nontarget analysis using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS) to 15 surface water samples to investigate the presence of legacy, novel and emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We identified six novel and emerging fluorotelomer-based fluorosurfactants in the Australian environment for the first time, including: fluorotelomer sulfonamido betaines (FTABs or FTSA-PrB), fluorotelomer thioether amido sulfonic acids (FTSASs), and fluorotelomer sulfonyl amido sulfonic acids (FTSAS-So). Legacy PFAS including C6-C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, C4-C10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, and perfluoro-4-ethylcyclohexanesulfonate were also detected in surface water. Of note, we report the first environmental detection of ethyl 2-ethenyl-2-fluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) cyclopropane-1-carboxylate. Analysis of several Class B certified fluorine-free foam formulations allowed for use in Australia revealed that there was no detectable PFAS. Patterns in the homologue profiles of fluorotelomers detected in surface water are consistent with environments impacted by fluorinated aqueous film-forming foams. These results provide strong evidence that firewater runoff of stockpiled fluorinated firefighting foam was the dominant source of detectable PFAS to the surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Rana
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia; Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jaye Marchiandi
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jordan M Partington
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Drew Szabo
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Amy L Heffernan
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert K Symons
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shay Xie
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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42
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Renai L, Del Bubba M, Samanipour S, Stafford R, Gargano AF. Development of a comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric method for the non-targeted identification of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous film-forming foams. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1232:340485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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43
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Liu T, Hu LX, Han Y, Dong LL, Wang YQ, Zhao JH, Liu YS, Zhao JL, Ying GG. Non-target and target screening of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate and impact on groundwater in Guangzhou, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157021. [PMID: 35777559 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157021] [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] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Landfills are the main destination of many urban wastes containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and PFAS may leach out from the waste and contaminate the surrounding groundwater. Here we investigated the occurrence of PFAS in leachate and surrounding groundwater from three landfills in Guangzhou, China by using a combined target and non-target approach. Non-target screening showed that a total of 651 PFAS with 96 classes were identified, including 17 legacy PFAS and 637 emerging PFAS. The quantitative target analysis of some PFAS revealed that the average removal rate of PFAS from the raw leachates were ranged between 62 % and 99 %. Statistical analysis and source analysis suggested that landfill leachate was a major source of PFAS in the groundwater within the landfills and downstream sites. The results from the combined target and non-target analyses demonstrated that PFAS in landfills could leach into the surrounding groundwater, and may affect the sustainable use of groundwater as a source of drinking water and pose a potential risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Han
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liang-Li Dong
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu-Qing Wang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Hui Zhao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - You-Sheng Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jian-Liang Zhao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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44
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Shojaei M, Kumar N, Guelfo JL. An Integrated Approach for Determination of Total Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14517-14527. [PMID: 36197695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05143] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are difficult to analyze in environmental media due challenges such as extraction recovery and lack of analytical standards. The total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay and suspect screening analysis coupled with semiquantitative (SQ) concentration estimates are two approaches to assess total PFAS in environmental media, but studies are needed to optimize workstreams for total PFAS analysis. This study applied two soil extraction methods, TOP assay, and SQ analysis to three aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and three AFFF-impacted soils. In soils, the total PFAS estimated with results from an extraction method utilizing sequential acidic and basic solvents led to a 35% increase in precursors during TOP assay relative to results from a basic solvent only extraction in one of three soils tested, but concentrations did not increase significantly in remaining soils. Furthermore, sample-specific dilution schemes were required to overcome matrix effects caused by the acidic extraction step that influenced estimates of total PFAS by SQ analysis. The results highlight that there is not an advantage to routine application of an acid extraction step in PFAS-impacted soils. In three AFFFs, suspect screening of post-TOP samples identified eight classes of PFAS present after oxidation. Concentrations of three classes increased, suggesting they are new TOP end points. Concentrations of the remaining five classes either remained constant after TOP or exhibited slight decreases. As a result, combined TOP and SQ workstreams may yield the most representative assessment of total PFAS composition and concentration. The eight classes of PFAS present after TOP did not degrade in harsh conditions. Some are structurally similar to PFCAs and PFSAs and are known to occur in the environment, suggesting a similar degree of persistence and a need for more routine monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Shojaei
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas79409, United States
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas79409, United States
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas79409, United States
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45
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Tenorio R, Maizel AC, Schaefer CE, Higgins CP, Strathmann TJ. Application of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry to Evaluate UV-Sulfite-Induced Transformations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14774-14787. [PMID: 36162863 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03228] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
UV-sulfite has been shown to effectively degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in single-solute experiments. We recently reported treatment of 15 PFASs, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), and fluorotelomer sulfonic acids (FTSs), detected in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) using high-resolution liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) targeted analysis. Here, we extend the analysis within those original reaction solutions to include the wider set of PFASs in AFFF for which reactivity is largely unknown by applying recently established LC-QTOF-MS suspect screening and semiquantitative analysis protocols. Sixty-eight additional PFASs were detected (15 targeted + 68 suspect screening = 83 PFASs) with semiquantitative analysis, and their behavior was binned on the basis of (1) detection in untreated AFFF, (2) PFAS photogeneration, and (3) reactivity. These 68 structures account for an additional 20% of the total fluorine content in the AFFF (targeted + suspect screening = 57% of total fluorine content). Structure-reactivity trends were also revealed. During treatment, transformations of highly reactive structures containing sulfonamide (-SO2N-) and reduced sulfur groups (e.g., -S- and -SO-) adjacent to the perfluoroalkyl [F(CF2)n-] or fluorotelomer [F(CF2)n(CH2)2-] chain are likely sources of PFCA, PFSA, and FTS generation previously reported during the early stages of reactions. The results also show the character of headgroup moieties adjacent to the F(CF2)n-/F(CF2)n(CH2)2- chain (e.g., sulfur oxidation state, sulfonamide type, and carboxylic acids) and substitution along the F(CF2)n- chain (e.g., H-, ketone, and ether) together may determine chain length-dependent reactivity trends. The results highlight the importance of monitoring PFASs outside conventional targeted analytical methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Tenorio
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Andrew C Maizel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Charles E Schaefer
- CDM Smith, 110 Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08837, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Timothy J Strathmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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46
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Ojo AF, Peng C, Annamalai P, Megharaj M, Ng JC. Toxicity assessment of historical aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) using cell-based assays. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 310:119806. [PMID: 35868471 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119806] [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] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has historically contained high concentrations of long-chain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been linked with adverse health outcomes. However, the toxicity of historical AFFFs remains largely unknown, presenting uncertainties in their risk assessment. This study assessed the toxicity of historical AFFFs by exposing human liver cells (HepG2) to various dilutions of 3M Light Water AFFF or Ansulite AFFF (0.001%, 0.002%, 0.005%, 0.009%, 0.019%, 0.038%, 0.075%, 0.15%, and 0.3%) for 24 h. The effects of the two AFFF formulations on the cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Nrf2-ARE activity, and DNA damage were assessed by CellTiter 96® Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS kit), dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay, luciferase assay, and alkaline Comet assay, respectively. The results revealed that the two brands of AFFFs tested were toxic to HepG2 cells at dilutions lower than the recommended 3% application formulation. Specifically, exposure to 3M Light Water AFFF or Ansulite AFFF induced a dilution-dependent decrease in cell viability, increased intracellular ROS production, and increased Nrf2-ARE activity. However, except for the highest concentration (lowest dilution) of 3M Light Water AFFF tested (0.038%.), both 3M Light Water AFFF and Ansulite AFFF did not significantly induce cellular DNA damage. Overall, 3M Light Water AFFF was more toxic than Ansulite AFFF. The findings from this study provided valuable in vitro toxicity data that may better inform the health risk assessment of these historical AFFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atinuke F Ojo
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Cheng Peng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Prasath Annamalai
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, School of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Mallavarapu Megharaj
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, School of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Jack C Ng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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47
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Munoz G, Mercier L, Duy SV, Liu J, Sauvé S, Houde M. Bioaccumulation and trophic magnification of emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a St. Lawrence River food web. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 309:119739. [PMID: 35817301 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in freshwater ecosystems has focused primarily on legacy compounds and little is still known on the presence of emerging PFAS. Here, we investigated the occurrence of 60 anionic, zwitterionic, and cationic PFAS in a food web of the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada) near a major metropolitan area. Water, sediments, aquatic vegetation, invertebrates, and 14 fish species were targeted for analysis. Levels of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) in river water exceeded those of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and a zwitterionic betaine was observed for the first time in the St. Lawrence River. The highest mean PFAS concentrations were observed for the benthopelagic top predator Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu, Σ60PFAS ∼ 92 ± 34 ng/g wet weight whole-body) and the lowest for aquatic plants (0.52-2.3 ng/g). Up to 33 PFAS were detected in biotic samples, with frequent occurrences of emerging PFAS such as perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA) and perfluoroethyl cyclohexane sulfonate (PFECHS), while targeted ether-PFAS all remained undetected. PFOS and long-chain perfluorocarboxylates (C10-C13 PFCAs) dominated the contamination profiles in biota except for insects where PFBA was predominant. Gammarids, molluscs, and insects also had frequent detections of PFOA and fluorotelomer sulfonates, an important distinction with fish and presumably due to different metabolism. Based on bioaccumulation factors >5000 and trophic magnification factors >1, long-chain (C10-C13) PFCAs, PFOS, perfluorodecane sulfonate, and perfluorooctane sulfonamide qualified as very bioaccumulative and biomagnifying. Newly monitored PFAS such as FBSA and PFECHS were biomagnified but moderately bioaccumulative, while PFOA was biodiluted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Laurie Mercier
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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48
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Bhat A, Pomerantz WCK, Arnold WA. Finding Fluorine: Photoproduct Formation during the Photolysis of Fluorinated Pesticides. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12336-12346. [PMID: 35972505 PMCID: PMC9454825 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04242] [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] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The photolysis of pesticides with different fluorine motifs was evaluated to quantify the formation of fluorinated products in buffered aqueous systems, advanced oxidation (AOP) and reduction processes (ARP), and river water. Simulated sunlight quantum yields at pH 7 were 0.0033, 0.0025, 0.0015, and 0.00012 for penoxsulam, florasulam, sulfoxaflor, and fluroxypyr, respectively. The bimolecular rate constants with hydroxyl radicals were 2 to 5.7 × 1010 M-1 s-1 and, with sulfate radicals, 1.6 to 2.6 × 108 M-1 s-1 for penoxsulam, florasulam, and fluroxypyr, respectively. The rate constants of sulfoxaflor were 100-fold lower. Using quantitative 19F-NMR, complete fluorine mass balances were obtained. The maximum fluoride formation was 53.4 and 87.4% for penoxsulam and florasulam under ARP conditions, and 6.1 and 100% for sulfoxaflor and fluroxypyr under AOP conditions. Heteroaromatic CF3 and aliphatic CF2 groups were retained in multiple fluorinated photoproducts. Aryl F and heteroaromatic F groups were readily defluorinated to fluoride. CF3 and CF2 groups formed trifluoroacetate and difluoroacetate, and yields increased under oxidizing conditions. 19F-NMR chemical shifts and coupling analysis provided information on hydrogen loss on adjacent bonds or changes in chirality. Mass spectrometry results were consistent with the observed 19F-NMR products. These results will assist in selecting treatment processes for specific fluorine motifs and in the design of agrochemicals to reduce byproduct formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash
P. Bhat
- Department
of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-, Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - William C. K. Pomerantz
- Department
of Chemistry, 207 Pleasant St. SE, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
| | - William A. Arnold
- Department
of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-, Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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49
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Jeong Y, Da Silva KM, Iturrospe E, Fuiji Y, Boogaerts T, van Nuijs ALN, Koelmel J, Covaci A. Occurrence and contamination profile of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Belgian wastewater using target, suspect and non-target screening approaches. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129378. [PMID: 35897185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With the growing concern regarding the health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), there is an increasing demand for the identification of emerging PFAS. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of legacy and emerging PFAS in 16 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Belgium using target, suspect, and non-target screening methods. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) were the dominant compounds in most locations, whereas perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the most predominant PFAS in WWTP Deurne (Antwerp region). Using a suspect screening approach, 14 PFAS were annotated as confidence level (CL) of 4 or higher and 4 PFAS were annotated as CL 2a and 2b, including aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-derived PFAS. The compound group of n:3 unsaturated fluorotelomer carboxylic acid was found using non-target screening in the wastewater from WWTP Deurne. Population exposure in a catchment area estimated using population-normalized mass loads (PNML) showed the highest value in the catchment area of WWTP Deurne, implying a potentially higher exposure to PFAS in this community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsun Jeong
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Katyeny Manuela Da Silva
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Elias Iturrospe
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yukiko Fuiji
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, 22-1 Tamagawa-cho, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan
| | - Tim Boogaerts
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alexander L N van Nuijs
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jeremy Koelmel
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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50
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Niarchos G, Ahrens L, Kleja DB, Fagerlund F. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) retention by colloidal activated carbon (CAC) using dynamic column experiments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119667. [PMID: 35750303 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Developing effective remediation methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-contaminated soils is a substantial step towards counteracting their widespread occurrence and protecting our ecosystems and drinking water sources. Stabilisation of PFAS in the subsurface using colloidal activated carbon (CAC) is an innovative, yet promising technique, requiring better understanding. In this study, dynamic soil column tests were used to assess the retardation of 10 classical perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) (C5-C11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and C4, C6, C8 perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs)) as well as two alternative PFAS (6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates) using CAC at 0.03% w/w, to investigate the fate and transport of PFAS under CAC treatment applications. Results showed high retardation rates for long-chain PFAS and eight times higher retardation for the CAC-treated soil compared to the non-treated reference soil for the ∑PFAS. Replacement of shorter chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), such as perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), by longer chained PFAS was observed, indicating competition effects. Partitioning coefficients (Kd values) were calculated for the CAC fraction at ∼103-105 L kg-1 for individual PFAS, while there was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between perfluorocarbon chain length and Kd. Mass balance calculations showed 37% retention of ∑PFAS in treated soil columns after completion of the experiments and 99.7% higher retention rates than the reference soil. Redistribution and elution of CAC were noticed and quantified through organic carbon analysis, which showed a 23% loss of carbon during the experiments. These findings are a step towards better understanding the extent of CAC's potential for remediation of PFAS-contaminated soil and groundwater and the limitations of its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Niarchos
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dan Berggren Kleja
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P. O. Box 7090, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fritjof Fagerlund
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05, Uppsala, Sweden
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