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Ogata Y, Matsukami H, Ishimori H. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal from landfill leachate by a planting unit via interactions between foamed glass and Typha domingensis. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142865. [PMID: 39019191 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Sustainable removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from landfill leachate remains a pressing global challenge. To develop an effective PFAS removal technology that utilizes nature-based solutions, we considered a planting unit comprised of a microbial carrier (foamed glass) and Typha domingensis. This study evaluated the possibility of removing PFAS from landfill leachate using a planting unit through a pot experiment. The planting unit effectively removed various short- and long-chain PFAS from the landfill leachate, including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs [C4-C10]), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs [C4, C6, and C8]), fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs [5:3 and 7:3]), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (FTS), with initial concentrations of 43-9100 ng L-1, achieving a removal efficiency of 53-83% in 21 d. Mass balance analysis indicated that the contribution of accumulation on foamed glass and plant adsorption and uptake played no major role in the removal of PFCAs (C4-C9), PFSAs (C4), and FTCAs (5:3 and 7:3), and that other removal processes played a key role. Although not the most effective removal process, the contribution of accumulation on foamed glass tended to be more notable in the removal of longer-chain PFCAs. In addition, plant adsorption and uptake showed that longer-chain PFCAs were more likely to remain in roots, whereas shorter-chain PFCAs were more likely to be transferred to aboveground plant part. On the other hand, 6:2 FTS removal occurred primarily due to accumulation on foamed glass. These results suggest that differences in the physicochemical properties of PFAS affect removal mechanisms. This study provides valuable insights into development of environmentally friendly technologies capable of removing a variety of short- and long-chain PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Ogata
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Hidenori Matsukami
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ishimori
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
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2
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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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3
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We ACE, Stickland AD, Clarke BO, Freguia S. The role of suspended biomass in PFAS enrichment in wastewater treatment foams. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121349. [PMID: 38401288 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Foaming in aerated bioreactors at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has been identified as an operational issue for decades. However, the affinity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for air-liquid interfaces suggests that foam harvesting has the potential to become a sustainable method for PFAS removal from sewage. Aerated bioreactors' foams are considered three-phase systems, comprising air, aqueous and solid components, the latter consisting of activated sludge biomass. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the capability of aerated bioreactors' foams to enrich PFAS, we analysed PFAS concentrations from WWTPs in both the solid and aqueous phases of the collapsed foams (foamate) and underlying bulk mixed liquors. Our findings show that PFAS enrichment occurs not only in the aqueous phase but also in the solid phase of the foamate. This suggests that previous field studies that only analysed the aqueous phase may have underestimated the capability of the aerated bioreactors' foams to enrich PFAS. Fractions of PFOA and PFOS sorbed to the solid phase of the foamate can be as high as 60 % and 95 %, respectively. Our findings highlight the importance of implementing effective foamate management strategies that consider both the aqueous and solid phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Chyi En We
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony D Stickland
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Stefano Freguia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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4
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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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5
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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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6
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Yan PF, Dong S, Manz KE, Woodcock MJ, Liu C, Mezzari MP, Abriola LM, Pennell KD, Cápiro NL. Aerobic biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate in soils from two aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted sites. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120941. [PMID: 38070347 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120941] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Although 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) is a common ingredient in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations, its environmental fate at AFFF-impacted sites remains poorly understood. This study investigated the biotransformation of 6:2 FTS in microcosms prepared with soils collected from two AFFF-impacted sites; the former Loring Air Force Base (AFB) and Robins AFB. The half-life of 6:2 FTS in Loring soil was 43.3 days; while >60 mol% of initially spiked 6:2 FTS remained in Robins soil microcosms after a 224-day incubation. Differences in initial sulfate concentrations and the depletion of sulfate over the incubation likely contributed to the different 6:2 FTS biotransformation rates between the two soils. At day 224, stable transformation products, i.e., C4C7 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, were formed with combined molar yields of 13.8 mol% and 1.2 mol% in Loring and Robins soils, respectively. Based on all detected transformation products, the biotransformation pathways of 6:2 FTS in the two soils were proposed. Microbial community analysis suggests that Desulfobacterota microorganisms may promote 6:2 FTS biotransformation via more efficient desulfonation. In addition, species from the genus Sphingomonas, which exhibited higher tolerance to elevated concentrations of 6:2 FTS and its biotransformation products, are likely to have contributed to 6:2 FTS biotransformation. This study demonstrates the potential role of biotransformation processes on the fate of 6:2 FTS at AFFF-impacted sites and highlights the need to characterize site biogeochemical properties for improved assessment of 6:2 FTS biotransformation behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Yan
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Sheng Dong
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Chen Liu
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Melissa P Mezzari
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linda M Abriola
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Natalie L Cápiro
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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7
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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: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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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8
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Williams A, Islam R, Nagy G. Correlative Low-dose Cryogenic Electron Microscopy and Small Angle Neutron Scattering Studies Reveal Morphological Differences in Fluorinated vs Non-fluorinated Fire Suppressant Foams. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:1939-1940. [PMID: 37612926 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Williams
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Rezawana Islam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Gergely Nagy
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
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9
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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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10
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Hartz WF, Björnsdotter MK, Yeung LWY, Hodson A, Thomas ER, Humby JD, Day C, Jogsten IE, Kärrman A, Kallenborn R. Levels and distribution profiles of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in a high Arctic Svalbard ice core. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:161830. [PMID: 36716880 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent organic contaminants of which some are toxic and bioaccumulative. Several PFAS can be formed from the atmospheric degradation of precursors such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) as well as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replacement compounds. Svalbard ice cores have been shown to provide a valuable record of long-range atmospheric transport of contaminants to the Arctic. This study uses a 12.3 m ice core from the remote Lomonosovfonna ice cap on Svalbard to understand the atmospheric deposition of PFAS in the Arctic. A total of 45 PFAS were targeted, of which 26 were detected, using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) MS/MS. C2 to C11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were detected continuously in the ice core and their fluxes ranged from 2.5 to 8200 ng m-2 yr-1 (9.51-16,500 pg L-1). Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) represented 71 % of the total mass of C2 - C11 PFCAs in the ice core and had increasing temporal trends in deposition. The distribution profile of PFCAs suggested that FTOHs were likely the atmospheric precursor to C8 - C11 PFCAs, whereas C2 - C6 PFCAs had alternative sources, such as HFCs and other CFC replacement compounds. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was also widely detected in 82 % of ice core subsections, and its isomer profile (81 % linear) indicated an electrochemical fluorination manufacturing source. Comparisons of PFAS concentrations with a marine aerosol proxy showed that marine aerosols were insignificant for the deposition of PFAS on Lomonosovfonna. Comparisons with a melt proxy showed that TFA and PFOS were mobile during meltwater percolation. This indicates that seasonal snowmelt and runoff from post-industrial accumulation on glaciers could be a significant seasonal source of PFAS to ecosystems in Arctic fjords.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Hartz
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, United Kingdom; Department of Arctic Geology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
| | - Maria K Björnsdotter
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Andrew Hodson
- Department of Arctic Geology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway; Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, NO-6851 Sogndal, Norway
| | - Elizabeth R Thomas
- Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Jack D Humby
- Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Day
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, United Kingdom
| | - Ingrid Ericson Jogsten
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Roland Kallenborn
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), NO-1432 Ås, Norway; Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
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11
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Szabo D, Marchiandi J, Samandra S, Johnston JM, Mulder RA, Green MP, Clarke BO. High-resolution temporal wastewater treatment plant investigation to understand influent mass flux of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130854. [PMID: 36701979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and reveals previously undescribed variability in daily PFAS concentrations by measuring their occurrence in WWTP influent each hour over the course of a week. ∑50PFAS concentrations ranged between 89 ± 38 on Monday and 173 ± 110 ng L-1 on Friday, where perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), disubstituted phosphate esters (diPAPs), and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) contributed the largest proportion to overall weekly concentrations 37%, 30%, and 17% respectively. Simultaneous pulse events of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS; 400 ng L-1) and perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS; 18 ng L-1) indicate significant industrial or commercial waste discharge that persists for up to 3 h. The minimum number of hourly grab samples required to detect variation of PFOS and PFHpS concentrations are 7 and 9 samples respectively, indicating a high degree of variability in PFAS concentrations between days. Overall, the risk of sampling bias from grab samples is high given the variability in PFAS concentrations and more frequent sampling campaigns must be balanced against the cost of analysis carefully to avoid the mischaracterisation of mass flux to receiving surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Szabo
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm 11418, Sweden
| | - Jaye Marchiandi
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Subharthe Samandra
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Julia M Johnston
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Raoul A Mulder
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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12
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Hatchell D, Chen X, Daigle H, Hartmann M, Ordonez‐Varela J, Blondeau C, Johnston K. Stable
CO
2
/water foam stabilized by dilute surface‐modified nanoparticles and cationic surfactant at high temperature and salinity. J SURFACTANTS DETERG 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jsde.12656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hatchell
- Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Xiongyu Chen
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Hugh Daigle
- Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Matthew Hartmann
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | | | | | - Keith Johnston
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
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13
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Kolanczyk RC, Saley MR, Serrano JA, Daley SM, Tapper MA. PFAS Biotransformation Pathways: A Species Comparison Study. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11010074. [PMID: 36668800 PMCID: PMC9862377 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Limited availability of fish metabolic pathways for PFAS may lead to risk assessments with inherent uncertainties based only upon the parent chemical or the assumption that the biodegradation or mammalian metabolism map data will serve as an adequate surrogate. A rapid and transparent process, utilizing a recently created database of systematically collected information for fish, mammals, poultry, plant, earthworm, sediment, sludge, bacteria, and fungus using data evaluation tools in the previously described metabolism pathway software system MetaPath, is presented. The fish metabolism maps for 10 PFAS, heptadecafluorooctyl(tridecafluorohexyl)phosphinic acid (C6/C8 PFPiA), bis(perfluorooctyl)phosphinic acid (C8/C8 PFPiA), 2-[(6-chloro-1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-dodecafluorohexyl)oxy]-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA), N-Ethylperfluorooctane-1-sulfonamide (Sulfuramid; N-EtFOSA), N-Ethyl Perfluorooctane Sulfonamido Ethanol phosphate diester (SAmPAP), Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA), 8:2 Fluorotelomer phosphate diester (8:2 diPAP), 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH), 10:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (10:2 FTOH), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), were compared across multiple species and systems. The approach demonstrates how comparisons of metabolic maps across species are aided by considering the sample matrix in which metabolites were quantified for each species, differences in analytical methods used to identify metabolites in each study, and the relative amounts of metabolites quantified. Overall, the pathways appear to be well conserved across species and systems. For PFAS lacking a fish metabolism study, a composite map consisting of all available maps would serve as the best basis for metabolite prediction. This emphasizes the importance and utility of collating metabolism into a searchable database such as that created in this effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Kolanczyk
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Megan R. Saley
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Jose A. Serrano
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Sara M. Daley
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Mark A. Tapper
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
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14
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Chen X, Da C, Hatchell DC, Daigle H, Ordonez-Varela JR, Blondeau C, Johnston KP. Ultra-stable CO2-in-water foam by generating switchable Janus nanoparticles in-situ. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 630:828-843. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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15
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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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16
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Pozo K, Moreira LB, Karaskova P, Přibylová P, Klánová J, de Carvalho MU, Maranho LA, de Souza Abessa DM. Using large amounts of firefighting foams releases per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into estuarine environments: A baseline study in Latin America. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113938. [PMID: 35905702 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) used to extinguish a major fire in a petrochemical terminal from the Port of Santos (Brazil). Eight AFFFs from seven known commercial brands and one unknown sample (AFFF-1 to AFFF-8) were evaluated. 17 PFAS were identified and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (LC/MS). The concentrations of Σ17 PFAS in the AFFFs ranged from 500 to 9000 ng/g, with prevalence of short chain PFAS (~85 %), followed by long chain PFAS. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), included in the global treaty of the Stockholm Convention, were also detected. We estimated that at least 635.96 g of PFAS were introduced in the estuary, representing a massive input of these substances. This investigation reports the PFAS composition of AFFFs used in firefighting in the GRULAC Region (Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Pozo
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Lucas Buruaem Moreira
- Research Group on Pollution and Aquatic Ecotoxicology, NEPEA, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Pavlina Karaskova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Přibylová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Maysa Ueda de Carvalho
- Research Group on Pollution and Aquatic Ecotoxicology, NEPEA, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciane Alves Maranho
- Research Group on Pollution and Aquatic Ecotoxicology, NEPEA, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Denis Moledo de Souza Abessa
- Research Group on Pollution and Aquatic Ecotoxicology, NEPEA, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil.
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17
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Liu L, Lu M, Cheng X, Yu G, Huang J. Suspect screening and nontargeted analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in representative fluorocarbon surfactants, aqueous film-forming foams, and impacted water in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107398. [PMID: 35841727 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Massive usage of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing fluorocarbon surfactants (FS) is one of the major sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, which poses negative environmental and health effects. However, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding PFAS chemical compositions in high consumption FS products which were used in AFFFs on the Chinese market and in water impacted by such products. This study firstly applied a comprehensive suspect screening and nontargeted analysis (NTA) workflow to investigate the main ionic and neutral PFAS in FS products from the largest Chinese vendor and compared with two international brands to unveil the PFAS used in AFFF. Overall, 24 classes of PFAS, including 69 compounds, were tentatively identified in FS products, and high concentrations of neutral PFAS were found in polymer-based products, indicating potential environmental risk. In addition, we applied a simplified data mining process to capture 36 PFAS from the impacted water, and the relationship among FS, AFFF concentrates and impacted water was explored. This study parsed the PFAS characteristics in AFFF-related industrial products and impacted water in China, which is instrumental for managing and controlling prioritized PFAS in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liquan Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Meiling Lu
- Agilent Technologies (China) Co. Ltd, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Xue Cheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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18
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Zhao H, Yang L, Yang X, Zhao S. Behaviors of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB) in wheat seedlings: Bioaccumulation, biotransformation and ecotoxicity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 238:113585. [PMID: 35525114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As a new alternative to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB) has been currently used in industrial and consumer applications, which has been frequently detected in environment media. However, the behaviors of 6:2 FTAB in plants are still unclear. This study investigated the bioaccumulation, biotransformation and ecotoxicity of 6:2 FTAB in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by hydroponic exposure. 6:2 FTAB was easily taken up by roots with the root concentration factor (RCF) as high as 94.8, but difficult to be acropetally translocated in the shoots with the translocation factor (TF) as low as 0.058. Two intermediates and six terminal perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) metabolites were detected in roots and shoots. The detected metabolites included 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA), 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA), pentafluoropropionic acid (PFPrA) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), and 6:2 FTSA was the main metabolite. 6:2 FTAB significantly reduced the biomass of plant and prevented chlorophyll (Chl) accumulation, while caused no significant change in malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Significant reduction in glutathione (GSH) contents, excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and obvious inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activities were observed, suggesting damage of antioxidant defense systems and failure to detoxication of 6:2 FTAB in wheat. These findings provide important knowledge for the fate of 6:2 FTAB in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanting Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, Liaoning 124221, PR China
| | - Liping Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, Liaoning 124221, PR China
| | - Shuyan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, Liaoning 124221, PR China.
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19
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Choi YJ, Helbling DE, Liu J, Olivares CI, Higgins CP. Microbial biotransformation of aqueous film-forming foam derived polyfluoroalkyl substances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153711. [PMID: 35149076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) used in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) comprise some perfluoroalkyl substances but a larger variety of polyfluoroalkyl substances. Despite their abundance in AFFF, information is lacking on the potential transformation of these polyfluoroalkyl substances. Due to the biological and chemical stability of the repeating perfluoroalkyl -(CF2)n- moiety common to all known AFFF-derived PFASs, it is not immediately evident whether the microbial biotransformation mechanisms observed for other organic contaminants also govern the microbial biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances. Herein, we aim to: 1) review the literature on the aerobic or anaerobic microbial biotransformation of AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental media; 2) compile and summarize proposed microbial biotransformation pathways for major classes of polyfluoroalkyl substances; 3) identify the dominant biotransformation intermediates and terminal biotransformation products; and 4) discuss these findings in the context of environmental monitoring and source allocation. This analysis revealed that much more is currently known about aerobic microbial biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances, as compared to anaerobic biotransformation. Further, there are some similarities in microbial biotransformations of fluorotelomer and electrochemical fluorination-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances, but differences may be largely due to head group composition. Dealkylation, oxidation, and hydrolytic reactions appear to be particularly important for microbial biotransformation of AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances, and these biotransformations may lead to formation of some semi-stable intermediates. Finally, this review discusses key knowledge gaps and opportunities for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn Jeong Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA; Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christopher I Olivares
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA.
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20
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Weber EJ, Tebes-Stevens C, Washington JW, Gladstone R. Development of a PFAS reaction library: identifying plausible transformation pathways in environmental and biological systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:689-753. [PMID: 35485941 PMCID: PMC9361427 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00445j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in many consumer applications due to their stain repellency, surfactant properties, ability to form water-proof coatings and use in fire suppression. The production, application, transport, use and disposal of PFAS and PFAS-treated products have resulted in their wide-spread occurrence in environmental and biological systems. Concern over exposure to PFAS and their transformation products and metabolites has necessitated the development of tools to predict the transformation of PFAS in environmental systems and metabolism in biological systems. We have developed reaction libraries for predicting transformation products and metabolites in a variety of environmental and biological reaction systems. These reaction libraries are based on generalized reaction schemes that encode the process science of PFAS reported in the peer-reviewed literature. The PFAS reaction libraries will be executed through the Chemical Transformation Simulator, a web-based tool that is available to the public. These reaction libraries are intended for predicting the environmental transformation and metabolism of PFAS only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Weber
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA.
| | - Caroline Tebes-Stevens
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA.
| | - John W Washington
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA.
| | - Rachel Gladstone
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Hosted at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA
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21
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Dixit F, Munoz G, Mirzaei M, Barbeau B, Liu J, Duy SV, Sauvé S, Kandasubramanian B, Mohseni M. Removal of Zwitterionic PFAS by MXenes: Comparisons with Anionic, Nonionic, and PFAS-Specific Resins. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6212-6222. [PMID: 35533009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Zwitterionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are increasingly detected in aquatic environments. The magnitude of their concentration and increased frequency of detection worldwide raise questions on their presence in drinking water and associated health risk. Scientific knowledge on the identification of treatment technologies to effectively capture such zwitterionic PFAS from contaminated water sources remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the application of anionic organic scavenger ion exchange (IX) resins (A860), nonionic IX resins (XAD 4 and XAD 7), PFAS-specific resins (A694 and A592), and Ti3C2 MXenes (novel two-dimensional metal carbides) for the removal of select fluorotelomer zwitterionic PFAS from natural waters. The cumulative removal of zwitterionic PFAS at pH ∼ 7 follows the order: Ti3C2 MXenes > A694 > A592 > A860 > XAD 4 ∼ XAD 7. Ti3C2 MXenes were able to capture >75% of the total influent zwitterionic PFAS and the performance remained consistent in natural and synthetic water. Ti3C2 MXenes also exhibited efficient regeneration (>90% recovery) with 0.4 M Na2SO3 solution, while the regeneration efficacy of other IX resins generally remained below 20%. Treatment with ∼180 J/cm2 UV dosage in the 0.4 M Na2SO3 regenerant brine solution yielded >99.9% reduction in the zwitterionic PFAS concentration indicating that UV-sulfite systems exhibit promising potential for the treatment of zwitterionic PFAS concentrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuhar Dixit
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Mahboubeh Mirzaei
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian
- Nano Surface Texturing Lab, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), 411025 Pune, India
| | - Madjid Mohseni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
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22
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Katz DR, Sullivan JC, Rosa K, Gardiner CL, Robuck AR, Lohmann R, Kincaid C, Cantwell MG. Transport and fate of aqueous film forming foam in an urban estuary. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118963. [PMID: 35134426 PMCID: PMC8924856 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The deployment of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) used for firefighting during emergencies and training often releases per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment. In October 2018, first responders in Providence, RI, USA applied an AFFF during a fuel spill. Due to the proximity of the incident to the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay (NB), an unknown quantity of gasoline and AFFF entered the estuary via surface runoff and stormwater drains. Water samples near the spill were collected approximately 15 h after the incident and analyzed for 24 PFAS. Minor increases in measured PFAS concentrations were observed relative to pre- and post-spill samples at monitoring sites near the incident, except 6:2-fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2-FTS) that peaked post-spill (max 311 ng/L). After performing the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay on water samples and the AFFF concentrate, significant increases in perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were observed. One compound, 6:2 fluorotelomer mercaptoalkylamido sulfonate (6:2-FTSAS), was identified as a major component of the AFFF used. Peak areas of 6:2-FTSAS and the degradation product 6:2-FTSAS-sulfoxide corresponded to observed increases in the TOP assay results and were useful as tracers of AFFF in surrounding waters. Elevated levels of PFAS at the time of sampling were limited to a confined area of the Providence River due to river flow and tidal action. Observed concentrations were also compared to hydrodynamic model results, and results confirmed rapid dissipation of AFFF components with distance from the spill. However, modeled results did not capture possible secondary releases of AFFF from local municipal stormwater and sewer infrastructure, as observational data suggest. The multiple lines of evidence of PFAS present in surface waters permitted a better assessment of the potential environmental impacts from products such as AFFF for which the chemical composition is largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Katz
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), Atlantic Coastal Ecosystem Sciences Division (AED), 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA.
| | - Julia C Sullivan
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Kevin Rosa
- University of Rhode Island - Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Christine L Gardiner
- University of Rhode Island - Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Anna R Robuck
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA; University of Rhode Island - Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- University of Rhode Island - Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Chris Kincaid
- University of Rhode Island - Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Mark G Cantwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), Atlantic Coastal Ecosystem Sciences Division (AED), 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
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23
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Kaboré HA, Goeury K, Desrosiers M, Vo Duy S, Liu J, Cabana G, Munoz G, Sauvé S. Novel and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in freshwater sporting fish from background and firefighting foam impacted ecosystems in Eastern Canada. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 816:151563. [PMID: 34762942 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151563] [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: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Emerging PFAS were recently reported at sites impacted by aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and near major manufacturing centers; however, few studies have evaluated whether these can occur far from release sites. Here, newly identified PFAS were investigated in wild sporting fish from boreal freshwater ecosystems (background sites, 2013-2014 summer seasons), compared to fish impacted by a major AFFF release (summer 2013 and autumn 2014). Different freshwater wild sporting fish species (Esox lucius, Esox masquinongy, Micropterus dolomieu, Sander vitreus, Perca flavescens, and Semotilus corporalis, n = 74) were collected from 13 ecosystems (lakes, reservoirs, and rivers) across Eastern Canada. Of 29 quantitative PFAS, 15 compounds were detected in fish from background sites, including perfluorocarboxylates (C6,8-14), perfluoroalkane sulfonates (C6,8,10), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA), 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (7:3 FTCA), and a zwitterionic PFAS-perfluorooctane sulfonamidoalkyl betaine (PFOSB). To our knowledge, this is the first report of PFOSB in biota. It is also one of the first reports of anionic fluorotelomers (6:2 FTSA, 7:3 FTCA, 9:3 FTCA) in wildlife from background sites. Long-chain fluorotelomer sulfonamidoalkyl betaines (e.g., 8:2 and 10:2 FTAB), fluorotelomer betaines (e.g., 9:3 and 9:1:2 FTB), and fluorotelomer sulfone propanoic acids (e.g., 8:2 FT(SO2)-PA, 10:2 FT(SO2)-PA)) were solely prevalent (up to 97% of summed suspect PFAS) in Smallmouth Bass (M. dolomieu) from the AFFF-impacted site. Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), perfluorohexane sulfonamide (FHxSA), 6:2 FTSA and 7:3 FTCA were detected in at least one Smallmouth Bass sample both at the AFFF-impacted and background sites. According to the estimated chronic daily intake and current tolerable daily intake suggested by national agencies, the observed PFOS levels would not pose a health risk to anglers who might consume these wild-caught fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann A Kaboré
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal (UdeM), Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Ken Goeury
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal (UdeM), Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Mélanie Desrosiers
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ), Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal (UdeM), Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Gilbert Cabana
- Département des Sciences de l'Environnement, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal (UdeM), Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal (UdeM), Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
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24
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McIntyre H, Minda V, Hawley E, Deeb R, Hart M. Coupled photocatalytic alkaline media as a destructive technology for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous film-forming foam impacted stormwater. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132790. [PMID: 34748800 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The release of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) from fuel fire events, fire training events, and other activities has resulted in the presence of persistent and recalcitrant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and water nationwide. This study describes the degradation and defluorination of PFAS in stormwater collected from an AFFF-impacted site. Silica-based granular media (SGM) containing titanium dioxide was packed into a column reactor and placed between ultraviolet (UV) lamps to excite the photocatalyst within the SGM and generate free radicals to degrade PFAS present in water that was passed through the media. The system was amended with nucleophiles (hydroxyls) to facilitate the destruction of PFAS. Results showed rapid degradation of 17 identified PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors, perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs). Significant defluorination was observed, indicating PFAS destruction as a result of the coupled photocatalytic and nucleophilic attack. Column reactor experiment findings indicate SGM in the presence of UV light passively degraded a mixture of PFAS in a concentrated waste stream at ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah McIntyre
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 5110 Rockhill Rd, 352 Flarsheim Hall, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
| | - Vidit Minda
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
| | - Elisabeth Hawley
- Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., 1111 Broadway, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA, 94607, USA.
| | - Rula Deeb
- Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., 1111 Broadway, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA, 94607, USA.
| | - Megan Hart
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 5110 Rockhill Rd, 352 Flarsheim Hall, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
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25
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Liu M, Munoz G, Vo Duy S, Sauvé S, Liu J. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Contaminated Soil and Groundwater at Airports: A Canadian Case Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:885-895. [PMID: 34967613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of 93 classes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) was investigated at aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted sites of four Canadian airports. Surface/subsurface soil and groundwater samples were characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and an improved total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. PFAS profiles, loads, and spatial trends were highly site-specific, influenced by the AFFF use history, variations in sorption, transport, and in situ transformation potential of PFASs. All sites have been impacted by more than one AFFF chemistry, with the active firefighter training area exhibiting a greater PFAS variety and total PFAS burden than decommissioned sites. Zwitterionic and cationic compounds composed a large percentage (34.5-85.5%) of the total PFAS mass in most surface soil samples in the source zone but a relatively low percentage (<20%) in groundwater samples. Background soils surrounding the source zone contained predominantly unidentified precursors attributed to atmospheric deposition, while in AFFF-impacted soils, precursors originating from AFFFs can be largely captured by HRMS using available suspect lists. Horizontal transfer of PFASs in surface soils was limited, but vertical migration down the soil column occurred even in locations of low permeability. This study provides a critical data set to support developing new priority analyte lists and integrating TOP assay for comprehensive PFAS monitoring at AFFF-impacted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3A 0C3, Canada
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26
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Patrascu MT, Busuioc AD, Busuioc C, Cotarta A, Cojocaru A, Visan T, Vaireanu DI. Experimental Study on the Corrosion of Carbon Steel and Aluminum Alloy in Firefighting Protein Foam Concentrates. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14237259. [PMID: 34885413 PMCID: PMC8658693 DOI: 10.3390/ma14237259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The corrosion of mild steel and Al alloy in Fomtec P 6% and 6% P Profoam 806 protein-based foam concentrates was investigated. Weight-loss data for steel showed corrosion penetration of 0.745 mipy in Fomtec and 2.269 mipy in Profoam, whereas for Al alloy the penetration levels were 0.474 and 1.093 mipy, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy allowed characterization of the metallic surface covered or free from corrosion products. Values of corrosion potential, corrosion current density and corrosion penetration were calculated by using potentiodynamic polarization curves. Electrochemical impedance spectra illustrated the change in polarization resistance during anodic polarization. Data obtained by accelerated electrochemical methods confirm the greater aggressiveness of the Profoam concentrate compared to Fomtec concentrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Teodora Patrascu
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.P.); (C.B.); (A.C.); (T.V.); (D.I.V.)
| | - Andrei Dan Busuioc
- General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), 023765 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Cristina Busuioc
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.P.); (C.B.); (A.C.); (T.V.); (D.I.V.)
| | - Adina Cotarta
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.P.); (C.B.); (A.C.); (T.V.); (D.I.V.)
| | - Anca Cojocaru
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.P.); (C.B.); (A.C.); (T.V.); (D.I.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Teodor Visan
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.P.); (C.B.); (A.C.); (T.V.); (D.I.V.)
| | - Danut Ionel Vaireanu
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (M.T.P.); (C.B.); (A.C.); (T.V.); (D.I.V.)
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27
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Maizel AC, Shea S, Nickerson A, Schaefer C, Higgins CP. Release of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Impacted Soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14617-14627. [PMID: 34665614 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly mobile in the saturated subsurface, yet aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted source zones appear to be long lasting PFAS reservoirs. This study examined the release of over one hundred anionic and zwitterionic PFASs from two AFFF-impacted surface soils under saturated conditions with packed soil columns. Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were released more rapidly than their polyfluorinated precursors, while anionic PFASs that were present in partially uncharged states were released more slowly than PFASs that were present entirely as anions, as were zwitterionic PFASs with terminal cationic functional groups when compared with analogous zwitterions with only anionic terminal groups. Nonideal transport was observed in both per- and polyfluorinated classes, as soil column effluent concentrations of slowly released PFASs increased by up to 107-fold with sustained artificial groundwater flow. A flow-interruption experiment suggested the influence of rate-limited desorption on diverse PFAS classes, including PFAAs with as few as four perfluorinated carbons. These results suggest that during infiltration the slow, rate-limited desorption of anionic and zwitterionic PFAA precursors may result in these compounds comprising an increasingly large fraction of the remaining PFASs in AFFF-impacted surface soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Maizel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Stefanie Shea
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Anastasia Nickerson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Charles 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
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28
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Pascale R, Acquavia MA, Onzo A, Cataldi TRI, Calvano CD, Bianco G. Analysis of surfactants by mass spectrometry: Coming to grips with their diversity. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2021. [PMID: 34570373 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Surfactants are surface-active agents widely used in numerous applications in our daily lives as personal care products, domestic, and industrial detergents. To determine complex mixtures of surfactants and their degradation products, unselective and rather insensitive methods, based on colorimetric and complexometric analyses are no longer employable. Analytical methodologies able to determine low concentration levels of surfactants and closely related compounds in complex matrices are required. The recent introduction of robust, sensitive, and selective mass spectrometry (MS) techniques has led to the rapid expansion of the surfactant research field including complex mixtures of isomers, oligomers, and homologues of surfactants as well as their chemically and biodegradation products at trace levels. In this review, emphasis is given to the state-of-the-art MS-based analysis of surfactants and their degradation products with an overview of the current research landscape from traditional methods involving hyphenate techniques (gas chromatography-MS and liquid chromatography-MS) to the most innovative approaches, based on high-resolution MS. Finally, we outline a detailed explanation on the utilization of MS for mechanistic purposes, such as the study of micelle formation in different solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria A Acquavia
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
- ALMAGISI S.r.l Corso Italia, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Alberto Onzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Tommaso R I Cataldi
- Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giuliana Bianco
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
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29
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Xu C, Song X, Liu Z, Ding X, Chen H, Ding D. Occurrence, source apportionment, plant bioaccumulation and human exposure of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil and plant leaves near a landfill in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 776:145731. [PMID: 33647664 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 17 legacy and emerging PFASs were investigated in soil and plant leaves near a valley-type landfill, which has been in operation for over 20 years. ΣPFASs concentrations ranged from 5.31 to 108 ng/g dw and 11.9 to 115 ng/g dw in the soil and leaf samples, respectively, and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was dominant in both soil and leaves. The concentrations of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (F-53B) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) were significantly higher than those of legacy PFOA and PFOS, indicating emerging alternatives were widely applied in the region. The integrated approach of PCA analysis, field investigation of relevant industrial activities in the study area, along with the Unmix model analysis quantitatively revealed that factories producing consumer products and the landfill were the major sources of PFASs in soil, accounting for 57% of total PFASs detected. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of ΣPFASs in leaves varied from 0.37 to 8.59, and higher BAFs were found in camphor leaves. The log10BAFs in all plant leaves showed a linear decrease with increasing carbon chain lengths for individual PFCAs (C4-C8). The BAF values of HFPO-DA, F-53B and 6:2 FTS were 0.01-3.39, 0.04-6.15 and 0.01-6.33, respectively. The human health risk assessment of EDIs showed a decreasing trend with the increasing carbon chain lengths of PFCAs (C4-C9), and the PFASs EDI indicated further study on the human health risk via vegetable consumption be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Song
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zhaoyang Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Soil and Environment Analysis Center, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Da Ding
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
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30
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Charbonnet JA, Rodowa AE, Joseph NT, Guelfo JL, Field JA, Jones GD, Higgins CP, Helbling DE, Houtz EF. Environmental Source Tracking of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances within a Forensic Context: Current and Future Techniques. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7237-7245. [PMID: 33983714 PMCID: PMC9724633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The source tracking of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a new and increasingly necessary subfield within environmental forensics. We define PFAS source tracking as the accurate characterization and differentiation of multiple sources contributing to PFAS contamination in the environment. PFAS source tracking should employ analytical measurements, multivariate analyses, and an understanding of PFAS fate and transport within the framework of a conceptual site model. Converging lines of evidence used to differentiate PFAS sources include: identification of PFASs strongly associated with unique sources; the ratios of PFAS homologues, classes, and isomers at a contaminated site; and a site's hydrogeochemical conditions. As the field of PFAS source tracking progresses, the development of new PFAS analytical standards and the wider availability of high-resolution mass spectral data will enhance currently available analytical capabilities. In addition, multivariate computational tools, including unsupervised (i.e., exploratory) and supervised (i.e., predictive) machine learning techniques, may lead to novel insights that define a targeted list of PFASs that will be useful for environmental PFAS source tracking. In this Perspective, we identify the current tools available and principal developments necessary to enable greater confidence in environmental source tracking to identify and apportion PFAS sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Charbonnet
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Alix E Rodowa
- Biochemical and Exposure Science Group, National Institute of Standards & Technology, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, United States
| | - Nayantara T Joseph
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-0001, United States
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7301, United States
| | - Gerrad D Jones
- Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-0001, United States
| | - Erika F Houtz
- Arcadis, 100 Montgomery Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California 94104, United States
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31
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Ruyle BJ, Pickard HM, LeBlanc DR, Tokranov AK, Thackray CP, Hu XC, Vecitis CD, Sunderland EM. Isolating the AFFF Signature in Coastal Watersheds Using Oxidizable PFAS Precursors and Unexplained Organofluorine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:3686-3695. [PMID: 33667081 PMCID: PMC11082878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Water supplies for millions of U.S. individuals exceed maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Contemporary and legacy use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) is a major contamination source. However, diverse PFAS sources are present within watersheds, making it difficult to isolate their predominant origins. Here we examine PFAS source signatures among six adjacent coastal watersheds on Cape Cod, MA, U.S.A. using multivariate clustering techniques. A distinct signature of AFFF contamination enriched in precursors with six perfluorinated carbons (C6) was identified in watersheds with an AFFF source, while others were enriched in C4 precursors. Principal component analysis of PFAS composition in impacted watersheds showed a decline in precursor composition relative to AFFF stocks and a corresponding increase in terminal perfluoroalkyl sulfonates with < C6 but not those with ≥ C6. Prior work shows that in AFFF stocks, all extractable organofluorine (EOF) can be explained by targeted PFAS and precursors inferred using Bayesian inference on the total oxidizable precursor assay. Using the same techniques for the first time in impacted watersheds, we find that only 24%-63% of the EOF can be explained by targeted PFAS and oxidizable precursors. Our work thus indicates the presence of large non-AFFF organofluorine sources in these coastal watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridger J. Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
| | - Heidi M. Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
| | - Denis R. LeBlanc
- New England Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Northborough, MA 01532
| | - Andrea K. Tokranov
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
- New England Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Northborough, MA 01532
| | - Colin P. Thackray
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
| | - Xindi C. Hu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston MA USA 02115
- Mathematica, Inc., Oakland CA USA 94612
| | - Chad D. Vecitis
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge MA USA 02138
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston MA USA 02115
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Zhang W, Pang S, Lin Z, Mishra S, Bhatt P, Chen S. Biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors from various environmental systems: advances and perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 272:115908. [PMID: 33190976 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are widely used in industrial production and daily life because of their unique physicochemical properties, such as their hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, surface activity, and thermal stability. Perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) are the most studied PFAAs due to their global occurrence. PFAAs are environmentally persistent, toxic, and the long-chain homologs are also bioaccumulative. Exposure to PFAAs may arise directly from emission or indirectly via the environmental release and degradation of PFAA precursors. Precursors themselves or their conversion intermediates can present deleterious effects, including hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, and genetic toxicity. Therefore, exposure to PFAA precursors constitutes a potential hazard for environmental contamination. In order to comprehensively evaluate the environmental fate and effects of PFAA precursors and their connection with PFSAs and PFCAs, we review environmental biodegradability studies carried out with microbial strains, activated sludge, plants, and earthworms over the past decade. In particular, we review perfluorooctyl-sulfonamide-based precursors, including perfluroooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and its N-ethyl derivative (EtFOSA), N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido ethanol (EtFOSE), and EtFOSE-based phosphate diester (DiSAmPAP). Fluorotelomerization-based precursors are also reviewed, including fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH), fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSA), and a suite of their transformation products. Though limited information is currently available on zwitterionic PFAS precursors, a preliminary review of data available for 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide betaine (FTAB) was also conducted. Furthermore, we update and refine the recent knowledge on biotransformation strategies with a focus on metabolic pathways and mechanisms involved in the biotransformation of PFAA precursors. The biotransformation of PFAA precursors mainly involves the cleavage of carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds and the degradation of non-fluorinated functional groups via oxidation, dealkylation, and defluorination to form shorter-chained PFAAs. Based on the existing research, the current problems and future research directions on the biotransformation of PFAA precursors are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shimei Pang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ziqiu Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Sandhya Mishra
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Pankaj Bhatt
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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Fiedler H, Kennedy T, Henry BJ. A Critical Review of a Recommended Analytical and Classification Approach for Organic Fluorinated Compounds with an Emphasis on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:331-351. [PMID: 33009873 PMCID: PMC7898881 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Organic fluorinated compounds have been detected in various environmental media and biota. Some of these compounds are regulated locally (e.g., perfluorononanoic acid maximum contaminant level in drinking water by the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection), nationally (e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid maximum acceptable concentration in drinking water by Health Canada), or internationally (e.g., Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants). Globally, regulators and researchers seek to identify the organic fluorinated compounds associated with potential adverse effects, bioaccumulation, mobility, and persistence to manage their risks, and, to understand the beneficial attributes they bring to products such as first responder gear, etc. Clarity is needed to determine the best analytical method for the goal of the analyses (e.g., pure research or analysis to determine the extent of an accidental release, monitoring groundwater for specific compounds to determine regulatory compliance, and establish baseline levels in a river of organic fluorinated substances associated with human health risk prior to a clean-up effort). Analytical techniques that identify organic fluorine coupled together with targeted chemical analysis will yield information sufficient to identify public health or environmental hazards. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:331-351. © 2020. W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidelore Fiedler
- MTM Research Centre, School of Science and TechnologyÖrebro UniversityÖrebroSweden
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Xu C, Liu Z, Song X, Ding X, Ding D. Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in multi-media around a landfill in China: Implications for the usage of PFASs alternatives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:141767. [PMID: 32889473 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To date, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in environmental media surrounding landfills have not attracted much attention. In this study, six legacy PFASs, six short-chain analogues and five emerging alternatives were investigated in groundwater, surface water and sediment samples taken in the vicinity of a valley-type landfill, which had been in operation for over 20 years. Total PFAS concentrations of 110-236 ng/L, 17.3-163 ng/L and 7.91-164 ng/g dw were detected in the surface water, groundwater and sediment samples, respectively. Overall, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the dominant PFAS in surface water, but elevated concentrations of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) were detected in the surface water samples taken adjacent to the landfill, suggesting that the landfill contributed to these compounds. PFBA was the dominant PFAS in the groundwater and sediments. The concentrations of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) (C8-C12) in the sediment samples correlated significantly with the TOC, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 contents. The partitioning behaviors of PFCAs in the water-sediment system varied depending on the CF2 moiety units. For the long-chain PFCAs, positive correlations between the average LogKd and the number of CF2 moieties were found to be statistically significant, whereas negative correlations were observed for the short-chain PFCAs (C4-C7). The ratios of short-chain analogues and emerging alternatives versus their respective legacy PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in surface water suggested an increasing trend of short-chain analogues, such as PFBA. The potential health risks of PFOS and PFOA, determined by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI), were found to be negligible via the drinking groundwater exposure pathway, but more comprehensive studies on the human health risks of PFASs from landfills are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhaoyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xin Song
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Da Ding
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Nickerson A, Rodowa AE, Adamson DT, Field JA, Kulkarni PR, Kornuc JJ, Higgins CP. Spatial Trends of Anionic, Zwitterionic, and Cationic PFASs at an AFFF-Impacted Site. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:313-323. [PMID: 33351591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Soil and groundwater from an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted site were sampled at high resolution (n = 105 for soil, n = 58 for groundwater) and analyzed for an extensive list of anionic, zwitterionic, and cationic poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Spatial trends for perfluoroalkyl acids and many precursors enabled a better understanding of PFAS composition, transport, and transformation. All PFASs without analytical standards were semi-quantified. Summed PFAS and individual PFAS concentrations were often higher at depth than near the surface in soil and groundwater. Zwitterionic and cationic compounds composed a majority of the total PFAS mass (up to 97%) in firefighter training area (FTA) soil. Composition of PFAS class, chain length, and structural isomers changed with depth and distance from the FTA, suggesting in situ transformation and differential transport. The percentage of branched perfluorooctane sulfonate increased with depth, consistent with differential isomeric transport. However, linear perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was enriched, suggesting fluorotelomer precursor transformation to linear PFOA. Perfluorohexane sulfonamide, a potential transformation product of sulfonamide-based PFASs, was present at high concentrations (maximum 448 ng/g in soil, 3.4 mg/L in groundwater). Precursor compounds may create long-term sources of perfluoroalkyl acids, although many pathways remain unknown; precursor analysis is critical for PFAS fate and transport understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Nickerson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Alix E Rodowa
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - David T Adamson
- GSI Environmental Inc., 2211 Norfolk Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77098, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Poonam R Kulkarni
- GSI Environmental Inc., 2211 Norfolk Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77098, United States
| | - John J Kornuc
- NAVFAC EXWC, 1100 23rd Avenue, Port Hueneme, California 93041, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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Liu CJ, Strathmann TJ, Bellona C. Rejection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aqueous film-forming foam by high-pressure membranes. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116546. [PMID: 33125991 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous use and manufacturing of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have led to the contamination of water resources worldwide. High-pressure membranes, including nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO), are increasingly being deployed for water treatment and may be an effective barrier to PFASs. However, the impact of membrane operating conditions, background water matrix, and solute adsorption on rejection of diverse PFASs by NF and RO remains unclear. Rejection of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) present in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) diluted into a laboratory electrolyte matrix by NF and RO spiral wound elements was >98% and >99%, respectively. Rejection of the same PFAAs present in an AFFF-impacted groundwater matrix by NF was lower, between 92-98%, and was attributed to background water matrix constituents. Operating conditions did not have a significant impact on rejection of PFASs with the exception of shorter chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) in the AFFF-impacted groundwater matrix, where rejection increased with increasing flux. Structure-activity analysis of 42 PFASs, including 10 PFAAs and 32 PFASs identified in AFFF through high-resolution mass spectrometry suspect screening methods, showed some correlation between rejection and compound molecular weight. Adsorptive losses of PFAAs, most notably longer-chain hydrophobic PFAAs, to the spiral wound membrane elements and the membrane system were observed. Adsorption of PFAAs to the permeate spacer was especially pronounced and may have implications of artificially high rejection values. Still, rejection of PFASs by NF remained consistently >98% over 13 days of continuous operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie J Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, Colorado 80401, United States.
| | - Timothy J Strathmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, Colorado 80401, United States.
| | - Christopher Bellona
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, Colorado 80401, United States.
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Langberg HA, Arp HPH, Breedveld GD, Slinde GA, Høiseter Å, Grønning HM, Jartun M, Rundberget T, Jenssen BM, Hale SE. Paper product production identified as the main source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a Norwegian lake: Source and historic emission tracking. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 273:116259. [PMID: 33450507 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The entirety of the sediment bed in lake Tyrifjorden, Norway, is contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A factory producing paper products and a fire station were investigated as possible sources. Fire station emissions were dominated by the eight carbon perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), from aqueous film forming foams. Factory emissions contained PFOS, PFOS precursors (preFOS and SAmPAP), long chained fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS), and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA). Concentrations and profiles in sediments and biota indicated that emissions originating from the factory were the main source of pollution in the lake, while no clear indication of fire station emissions was found. Ratios of linear-to branched-PFOS increased with distance from the factory, indicating that isomer profiles can be used to trace a point source. A dated sediment core contained higher concentrations in older sediments and indicated that two different PFAS products have been used at the factory, referred to here as Scotchban and FTS mixture. Modelling, based on the sediment concentrations, indicated that 42-189 tons Scotchban, and 2.4-15.6 tons FTS mixture, were emitted. Production of paper products may be a major PFAS point source, that has generally been overlooked. It is hypothesized that paper fibres released from such facilities are important vectors for PFAS transport in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkon A Langberg
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway; Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gijs D Breedveld
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway; Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo (UiO), Oslo, Norway
| | - Gøril A Slinde
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway
| | - Åse Høiseter
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway; Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo (UiO), Oslo, Norway
| | - Hege M Grønning
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway; DMR Miljø Og Geoteknikk, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Morten Jartun
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sarah E Hale
- Geotechnics and Environment, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway
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Bottos EM, Al-Shabib EY, Shaw DMJ, McAmmond BM, Sharma A, Suchan DM, Cameron ADS, Van Hamme JD. Transcriptomic response of Gordonia sp. strain NB4-1Y when provided with 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamidoalkyl betaine or 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate as sole sulfur source. Biodegradation 2020; 31:407-422. [PMID: 33150552 PMCID: PMC7661421 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-020-09917-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants of concern. We previously described biodegradation of two PFAS that represent components and transformation products of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamidoalkyl betaine (6:2 FTAB) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA), by Gordonia sp. strain NB4-1Y. To identify genes involved in the breakdown of these compounds, the transcriptomic response of NB4-1Y was examined when grown on 6:2 FTAB, 6:2 FTSA, a non-fluorinated analog of 6:2 FTSA (1-octanesulfonate), or MgSO4, as sole sulfur source. Differentially expressed genes were identified as those with ± 1.5 log2-fold-differences (± 1.5 log2FD) in transcript abundances in pairwise comparisons. Transcriptomes of cells grown on 6:2 FTAB and 6:2 FTSA were most similar (7.9% of genes expressed ± 1.5 log2FD); however, several genes that were expressed in greater abundance in 6:2 FTAB treated cells compared to 6:2 FTSA treated cells were noted for their potential role in carbon–nitrogen bond cleavage in 6:2 FTAB. Responses to sulfur limitation were observed in 6:2 FTAB, 6:2 FTSA, and 1-octanesulfonate treatments, as 20 genes relating to global sulfate stress response were more highly expressed under these conditions compared to the MgSO4 treatment. More highly expressed oxygenase genes in 6:2 FTAB, 6:2 FTSA, and 1-octanesulfonate treatments were found to code for proteins with lower percent sulfur-containing amino acids compared to both the total proteome and to oxygenases showing decreased expression. This work identifies genetic targets for further characterization and will inform studies aimed at evaluating the biodegradation potential of environmental samples through applied genomics. Graphic Abstract ![]()
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10532-020-09917-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Bottos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8, Canada
| | - Ebtihal Y Al-Shabib
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Dayton M J Shaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8, Canada
| | - Breanne M McAmmond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8, Canada
| | - Aditi Sharma
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Danae M Suchan
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Andrew D S Cameron
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Van Hamme
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8, Canada.
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Ching C, Klemes MJ, Trang B, Dichtel WR, Helbling DE. β-Cyclodextrin Polymers with Different Cross-Linkers and Ion-Exchange Resins Exhibit Variable Adsorption of Anionic, Zwitterionic, and Nonionic PFASs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12693-12702. [PMID: 32924449 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) occur in groundwater as mixtures of anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and nonionic species, although few remediation technologies have been evaluated to assess the removal of different types of PFASs. In this study, we evaluated the performance of three β-cyclodextrin polymers (CDPs), an anion-exchange (AE) resin, and a cation-exchange (CE) resin for the removal of anionic, zwitterionic, and nonionic PFASs from water. We found that a CDP with a negative surface charge rapidly removes all zwitterionic PFASs with log KD values ranging between 2.4 and 3.1, and the CE resin rapidly removes two zwitterionic PFASs with log KD values of 1.8 and 1.9. The CDPs with a positive surface charge rapidly remove all anionic PFASs with log KD values between 2.7 and 4.1, and the AE resin removes all anionic PFASs relatively slowly with log KD values between 2.0 and 2.3. All adsorbents exhibited variable removal of the nonionic PFASs and some adsorption inhibition at higher pH values and in the presence of groundwater matrix constituents. Our findings provide insight into how adsorbents can be combined to remediate groundwater contaminated with complex mixtures of different types of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Ching
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Max J Klemes
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Brittany Trang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - William R Dichtel
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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40
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Aly NA, Luo YS, Liu Y, Casillas G, McDonald TJ, Kaihatu JM, Jun M, Ellis N, Gossett S, Dodds JN, Baker ES, Bhandari S, Chiu WA, Rusyn I. Temporal and spatial analysis of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface waters of Houston ship channel following a large-scale industrial fire incident. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:115009. [PMID: 32574947 PMCID: PMC7857671 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Firefighting foams contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - a class of compounds widely used as surfactants. PFAS are persistent organic pollutants that have been reported in waterways and drinking water systems across the United States. These substances are of interest to both regulatory agencies and the general public because of their persistence in the environment and association with adverse health effects. PFAS can be released in large quantities during industrial incidents because they are present in most firefighting foams used to suppress chemical fires; however, little is known about persistence of PFAS in public waterways after such events. In response to large-scale fires at Intercontinental Terminal Company (ITC) in Houston, Texas in March 2019, almost 5 million liters of class B firefighting foams were used. Much of this material flowed into the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay (HSC/GB) and concerns were raised about the levels of PFAS in these water bodies that have commercial and recreational uses. To evaluate the impact of the ITC incident response on PFAS levels in HSC/GB, we collected 52 surface water samples from 12 locations over a 6-month period after the incident. Samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to evaluate 27 PFAS, including perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorosulfonates and fluorotelomers. Among PFAS that were evaluated, 6:2 FTS and PFOS were detected at highest concentrations. Temporal and spatial profiles of PFAS were established; we found a major peak in the level of many PFAS in the days and weeks after the incident and a gradual decline over several months with patterns consistent with the tide- and wave-associated water movements. This work documents the impact of a large-scale industrial fire, on the environmental levels of PFAS, establishes a baseline concentration of PFAS in HSC/GB, and highlights the critical need for development of PFAS water quality standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor A Aly
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Yu-Syuan Luo
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Yina Liu
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Gaston Casillas
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Thomas J McDonald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - James M Kaihatu
- Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Mikyoung Jun
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | | | - James N Dodds
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Erin S Baker
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sharmila Bhandari
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Nickerson A, Maizel AC, Kulkarni PR, Adamson DT, Kornuc JJ, Higgins CP. Enhanced Extraction of AFFF-Associated PFASs from Source Zone Soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4952-4962. [PMID: 32200626 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) derived from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) are increasingly recognized as groundwater contaminants, though the composition and distribution of AFFF-derived PFASs associated with soils and subsurface sediments remain largely unknown. This is particularly true for zwitterionic and cationic PFASs, which may be incompletely extracted from subsurface solids by analytical methods developed for anionic PFASs. Therefore, a method involving sequential basic and acidic methanol extractions was developed and evaluated for recovery of anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic PFASs from field-collected, AFFF-impacted soils. The method was validated by spike-recovery experiments with equilibrated soil-water-AFFF and analytical standards. To determine the relative importance of PFASs lacking commercially available analytical standards, their concentrations were estimated by a novel semiquantitation approach. Total PFAS concentrations determined by semiquantitation were compared with concentrations determined by the total oxidizable precursor assay. Finally, the described method was applied to two soil cores from former fire-training areas in which cations and zwitterions were found to contribute up to 97% of the total PFAS mass. This result demonstrates the need for extraction and analysis methods, such as the ones presented here, that are capable of quantifying cationic and zwitterionic PFASs in AFFF-impacted source zone soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Nickerson
- 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
| | - Poonam R Kulkarni
- GSI Environmental Inc., 2211 Norfolk Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77098, United States
| | - David T Adamson
- GSI Environmental Inc., 2211 Norfolk Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77098, United States
| | - John J Kornuc
- NAVFAC EXWC, 1100 23rd Avenue, Port Hueneme, California 93041, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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Joudan S, Liu R, D'eon JC, Mabury SA. Unique analytical considerations for laboratory studies identifying metabolic products of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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43
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Mejia-Avendaño S, Zhi Y, Yan B, Liu J. Sorption of Polyfluoroalkyl Surfactants on Surface Soils: Effect of Molecular Structures, Soil Properties, and Solution Chemistry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1513-1521. [PMID: 31922402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are identified in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) concentrates and AFFF-impacted sites. However, the mobility potential of zwitterionic and cationic PFASs is poorly understood, preventing reliable site assessment. The study aimed to elucidate the mobility behaviors of PFASs of various charge states in saturated soil-water systems and assess critical influencing factors. Five anionic, three zwitterionic, and one cationic PFASs were investigated in five soils through batch sorption experiments. Pairwise comparison revealed that the quaternary ammonium group imparted a strong affinity of cationic perfluorooctaneamide ammonium compound (PFOAAmS) for soils. The influence of the quaternary ammonium group is mitigated in polyfluoroalkyl betaines, yet perfluorooctane sulfonamidoalkyl betaine (PFOSB) showed strong sorption in selected soils. Two soil bulk properties showed some correlations with the soil-water distribution coefficient (Kd). A positive correlation with the fraction of soil organic carbon was found only for anionic PFASs, whereas cation exchange capacity had an approximate positive correlation with Kd only for PFOAAmS. Water chemistry (Ca2+ and pH) influences the sorption of nonanionic PFASs in very distinct fashions or even in opposite trends to what was known for anionic PFASs. Sorption was insensitive to pH changes except for PFOSB; PFOSB underwent profound sorption reduction because its speciation occurs around neutral pH, while the two other betaines and PFOAAmS have pKa values that are outside of the environmentally relevant range. The lack of correlations suggests that the transport potential of PFASs is probably highly site-specific. It remains a challenge in deciphering PFAS sorption mechanisms and predicting how AFFF plumes migrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mejia-Avendaño
- Department of Civil Engineering , McGill University , Montréal , Québec H3A 0C3 , Canada
| | - Yue Zhi
- Department of Civil Engineering , McGill University , Montréal , Québec H3A 0C3 , Canada
| | - Bei Yan
- Department of Civil Engineering , McGill University , Montréal , Québec H3A 0C3 , Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering , McGill University , Montréal , Québec H3A 0C3 , Canada
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Munoz G, Desrosiers M, Vetter L, Vo Duy S, Jarjour J, Liu J, Sauvé S. Bioaccumulation of Zwitterionic Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Earthworms Exposed to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Impacted Soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1687-1697. [PMID: 31922403 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Critical knowledge gaps remain regarding the fate and effects of zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including assessment of their bioaccumulation potential. Here, biota soil accumulation factors (BSAFs) were assessed in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to soil microcosms amended with zwitterionic fluorotelomers and anionic perfluoroalkyl acids. The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamidoalkyl betaine (6:2 FTAB) bioaccumulated in earthworms [BSAF ∼ 2.5-5.4 (gdw,worm/gdw,soil)-1] but to a lesser extent than perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS: BSAF ∼ 21-29). The BSAF of perfluorocarboxylates increased from ∼2.0 for C4-C6 analogues to ∼92 for perfluorotridecanoate (C13). In earthworms exposed to Ansulite and Arctic Foam aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs), the BSAF was related to perfluorinated chain length for n:3 fluorotelomer betaines (FtBs), n:1:2 FtB, and n:2 FTAB. Earthworms were also collected in situ from a fire-equipment testing site at a major Canadian airport. Summed PFAS concentrations were between 65 000 and 830 000 ng g-1 wet weight, possibly the highest burden recorded in terrestrial biota. Fluorotelomer sulfonates (6:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, and 10:2 FTS) and FtB were particularly prevalent. Field worms also displayed elevated concentrations of n:3 acids (n = 3-11), but not those from laboratory microcosms exposed to fluorotelomer-based AFFFs. The findings provide an important confirmation to recent data suggesting that fluorotelomer compounds may accumulate in invertebrate species with limited metabolization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry , Université de Montréal , Montreal , Quebec H3C 3J7 , Canada
| | - Mélanie Desrosiers
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec , Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques , Quebec City , Quebec G1P3W8 , Canada
| | - Laura Vetter
- Department of Chemistry , Université de Montréal , Montreal , Quebec H3C 3J7 , Canada
- UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées , Université de Lorraine , 57070 Metz , France
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry , Université de Montréal , Montreal , Quebec H3C 3J7 , Canada
| | - Julie Jarjour
- Department of Civil Engineering , McGill University , Montreal , Quebec H3A 0C3 , Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering , McGill University , Montreal , Quebec H3A 0C3 , Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry , Université de Montréal , Montreal , Quebec H3C 3J7 , Canada
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45
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Dubocq F, Wang T, Yeung LWY, Sjöberg V, Kärrman A. Characterization of the Chemical Contents of Fluorinated and Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foams Using a Novel Workflow Combining Nontarget Screening and Total Fluorine Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:245-254. [PMID: 31789512 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are widely used to extinguish liquid fires due to their film-forming properties. AFFF formulation historically contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that can be very persistent and pose a health risk to biota and humans. Detailed analysis of the chemical composition of AFFFs can provide a better understanding on the potential environmental impact of the ingredients. In this study, a novel workflow combining target analysis, nontarget screening analysis (NTA), total fluorine (TF) analysis, and inorganic fluoride (IF) analysis was applied to disclose the chemical composition of 24 foams intended for liquid fires. Foams marketed as containing PFASs as well as fluorine-free foams were included. By comparing the sum of targeted PFASs and total organofluorine concentrations, a mass balance of known and unknown organofluorine could be calculated. Known organofluorine accounted for <1% in most fluorine-containing AFFFs, and it was confirmed that the foams marketed as fluorine-free did not contain measurable amounts of organofluorine substances. Five fluorinated substances were tentatively identified, and non-fluorinated zwitterionic betaine compounds, which are considered to be replacement substances for PFASs, were tentatively identified in the organofluorine-free foams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Dubocq
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Thanh Wang
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Viktor Sjöberg
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
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Langberg HA, Breedveld GD, Grønning HM, Kvennås M, Jenssen BM, Hale SE. Bioaccumulation of Fluorotelomer Sulfonates and Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Marine Organisms Living in Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Impacted Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:10951-10960. [PMID: 31353899 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) has resulted in hot spots polluted with poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs). The phase out of long-chained perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from AFFFs resulted in the necessity for alternatives, and short-chained PFAAs and fluorotelomer-based surfactants have been used. Here, the distribution of PFAS contamination in the marine environment surrounding a military site in Norway was investigated. Up to 30 PFASs were analyzed in storm, leachate, and fjord water; marine sediments; marine invertebrates (snails, green shore crab, great spider crab, and edible crab); and teleost fish (Atlantic cod, European place, and Lemon sole). Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was the most abundantly detected PFAS. Differences in PFAS accumulation levels were observed among species, likely reflecting different exposure routes among trophic levels and different capabilities for depuration and/or enzymatic degradation. In agreement with previous literature, almost no 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) was detected in teleost fish. However, this study is one of the first to report considerable concentrations of 6:2 FTS in marine invertebrates, suggesting bioaccumulation. Biota monitoring and risk assessments of sites contaminated with fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs) and related compounds should not be limited to fish, but should also include invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkon A Langberg
- Environmental Department , Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) , N-0855 Oslo , Norway
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Gijs D Breedveld
- Environmental Department , Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) , N-0855 Oslo , Norway
- Department of Geosciences , University of Oslo (UiO) , 0371 Oslo , Norway
| | - Hege M Grønning
- Environmental Department , Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) , N-0855 Oslo , Norway
| | - Marianne Kvennås
- Environmental Department , Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) , N-0855 Oslo , Norway
| | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Sarah E Hale
- Environmental Department , Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) , N-0855 Oslo , Norway
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Zhi Y, Liu J. Column chromatography approach to determine mobility of fluorotelomer sulfonates and polyfluoroalkyl betaines. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 683:480-488. [PMID: 31141749 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Betaine-based polyfluoroalkyl surfactants are major perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl surfactants (PFASs) found in many aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) impacted sites, while the transport behavior (i.e., mobility and adsorption) of PFAS-based betaines in groundwater and natural geosorbents interfaces remains unclear. To fill the knowledge gap, partitioning between of 15 AFFF-relevant PFASs, including 3 fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSAs) and 3 polyfluoroalkyl betaines, and a model soil organic matter (SOM) were systematically assessed using a modified column chromatography approach. Results show that the retention of FTSAs (perfluoroalkyl chain-length of 4, 6, and 8) to SOM are similar to that of corresponding legacy perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) with the same chain length; FTSAs also respond to changes in solution chemistry similarly as PFSAs. At a solution pH of 5.9, based on the equilibrium speciation of the betaine-PFASs together with the experimental observations, the predominance of the neutral species over zwitterions gives rise to the relatively higher retention of polyfluoroalkyl betaines than perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) of equivalent chain-length. Sorption edges (minimal and maximal logKoc values over a defined pH range) determined for three polyfluoroalkyl betaines are: 1.90-3.81 for perfluorooctaneamide betaine (PFOAB), 2.03-2.65 for perfluoroctane sulfonamide betaine (PFOSB), and < 3.04 for 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide betaine (6:2 FTAB). Moreover, the increase in pH reduces the sorption of all PFASs to SOM. Increasing calcium ion (concentration ranges from 0.5 to 50 mM) has enhanced the sorption of anionic PFASs to SOM but decreased the sorption of the polyfluoroalkyl betaines. These findings are expected to improve the ability to anticipate and predict the possible subsurface locations (i.e., predominantly in groundwater or sorbed to soil) of both novel and legacy PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhi
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C3, Canada.
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48
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García RA, Chiaia-Hernández AC, Lara-Martin PA, Loos M, Hollender J, Oetjen K, Higgins CP, Field JA. Suspect Screening of Hydrocarbon Surfactants in AFFFs and AFFF-Contaminated Groundwater by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:8068-8077. [PMID: 31269393 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are proprietary mixtures containing hydrocarbon surfactants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that are used to extinguish hydrocarbon-based fuel fires. There is limited information on hydrocarbon surfactants in AFFFs and AFFF-contaminated groundwater even though hydrocarbon surfactants are more abundant (5-10% w/w) than PFASs (0.9-1.5% w/w) in AFFFs. Eight commercial AFFFs manufactured between 1988 and 2012 and 10 AFFF-contaminated groundwaters collected from near source zones of fire-fighter training areas were analyzed for suspect hydrocarbon surfactants by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A suspect list and a homologous series detection computational tool, enviMass, were combined to screen for hydrocarbon surfactants. Nine classes of hydrocarbon surfactants were detected in AFFFs including octylphenol polyethoxylates, linear alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated cocoamines, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido dipropionates, linear alkyl benzenesulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and polyethylene glycols. Of those, six were also found in groundwater along with diethanolamines and alkyl amido betaines, which were not found in the eight archived AFFFs. This indicates that although aerobically biodegradable, hydrocarbon surfactants likely persist in groundwater due to anaerobic aquifer conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first screening for hydrocarbon surfactants in AFFFs and in AFFF-contaminated groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurea C Chiaia-Hernández
- Institute of Geography and Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Pablo A Lara-Martin
- Department of Physical Chemistry , University of Cadiz, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences , Campus Rio San Pedro, CEI-MAR, Puerto Real , 11510 Cadiz , Spain
| | | | - Juliane Hollender
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , Eawag , 8600 Dübendorf , Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics (IBP) , ETH Zurich , 8092 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Karl Oetjen
- 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
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Shi G, Cui Q, Zhang H, Cui R, Guo Y, Dai J. Accumulation, Biotransformation, and Endocrine Disruption Effects of Fluorotelomer Surfactant Mixtures on Zebrafish. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:1432-1440. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qianqian Cui
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ruina Cui
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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50
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Pan CG, Yu KF, Wang YH, Zhang W, Zhang J, Guo J. Perfluoroalkyl substances in the riverine and coastal water of the Beibu Gulf, South China: Spatiotemporal distribution and source identification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 660:297-305. [PMID: 30640098 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) contamination in less-developed coastal regions. In the present study, we collected 19 riverine and 21 coastal surface water samples in the summer and winter of 2017 to investigate PFASs contamination in the Beibu Gulf, South China. The results show that eleven and twelve target PFASs were detected in the summer and winter, respectively. The total PFASs (ΣPFASs) concentrations in the water of the Beibu Gulf were in the range of 1609-4727 pg/L and 610-4920 pg/L in summer and winter, respectively. Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) were the predominantly detected PFASs in both seasons with maximum concentrations of 2968 pg/L, 1771 pg/L, and 1764 pg/L, respectively. Strong positive correlations between some PFASs were observed (e.g., PFBA and PFBS, PFOS and PFBS, p < 0.05), suggesting these correlated pollutants may share similar sources. PFASs contamination in the Beibu Gulf was strongly affected by ocean currents, and their concentrations were lower than most coastal waters around the world. Risk assessment indicates a low risk associated with target PFASs to aquatic organisms in the Beibu Gulf. The results of the present research provided a baseline and good overview of the spatial distribution of PFASs along the Beibu Gulf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Gui Pan
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ke-Fu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Ying-Hui Wang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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