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Qiao B, Chen H, Song D, Yu H, Baqar M, Li X, Zhao L, Yao Y, Sun H. Multimedia distribution and release characteristics of emerging PFAS in wastewater treatment plants in Tianjin, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 475:134879. [PMID: 38876021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Legacy and emerging PFAS in the air, wastewater, and sludge from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Tianjin were investigated in this study. The semi-quantified nontarget PFAS accounted for up to 99 % of ƩPFAS in the gas phase, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-related PFAS were predominant in wastewater (up to 2250 ng/L, 79 % of ƩPFAS) and sludge (up to 4690 ng/g, 95 % of ƩPFAS). Furthermore, field-derived air particle-gas, air-wastewater, and wastewater particle-wastewater distribution coefficients of emerging PFAS are characterized, which have rarely been reported. The emerging substitute p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) and AFFF-related cationic and zwitterionic PFAS show a stronger tendency to partition into particle phase in air and wastewater than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The estimated total PFAS emissions from the effluent and sludge of WWTP A were 202 kg/y and 351 kg/y, respectively. While the target PFAS only accounted for 20-33 % of the total emissions, suggesting a significant underestimation of environmental releases of the nontarget PFAS and unknown perfluoroalkyl acid precursors through the wastewater and sludge disposal. Overall, this study highlights the importance of comprehensive monitoring and understanding the behavior of legacy and emerging PFAS in wastewater systems, and fills a critical gap in our understanding of PFAS exposure.
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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
| | - Hao Chen
- 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
| | - Hao Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mujtaba Baqar
- 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
| | - 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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Matesun J, Petrik L, Musvoto E, Ayinde W, Ikumi D. Limitations of wastewater treatment plants in removing trace anthropogenic biomarkers and future directions: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116610. [PMID: 38909392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116610] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
This review highlights the limitations faced by conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in effectively removing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), heavy metals (HMs), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). This emphasises the limitations of current treatment methods and advocates for innovative approaches to enhance the removal efficiency. By following the PRISMA guidelines, the study systematically reviewed relevant literature on detecting and remedying these pollutants in wastewater treatment facilities. Conventional wastewater treatment plants struggle to eliminate CECs, HMs, and E. coli owing to their small size, persistence, and complex nature. The review suggests upgrading WWTPs with advanced tertiary processes to significantly improve contaminant removal. This calls for cost-effective treatment parameters and standardised assessment techniques to enhance the fate of MPs in WWTPs and WRRFs. It recommends integrating insights from mass-balance model studies on MPs in WWTP to overcome modelling challenges and ensure model reliability. In conclusion, this review underscores the urgent need for advancements in wastewater treatment processes to mitigate the environmental impact of trace anthropogenic biomarkers. Future efforts should focus on conducting comprehensive studies, implementing advanced treatment methods, and optimising management practices in WWTPs and WRRFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Matesun
- Water Research Group, New Engineering Building, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
| | - Leslie Petrik
- Environmental and NanoScience Research Group, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Eustina Musvoto
- TruSense Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, 191 Hartley Street Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Wasiu Ayinde
- Water Research Group, New Engineering Building, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - David Ikumi
- Water Research Group, New Engineering Building, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
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3
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LaFond JA, Rezes R, Shojaei M, Anderson T, Jackson WA, Guelfo JL, Hatzinger PB. Biotransformation of PFAA Precursors by Oxygenase-Expressing Bacteria in AFFF-Impacted Groundwater and in Pure-Compound Studies with 6:2 FTS and EtFOSE. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39038214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Numerous US drinking water aquifers have been contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from fire-fighting and fire-training activities using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). These sites often contain other organic compounds, such as fuel hydrocarbons and methane, which may serve as primary substrates for cometabolic (i.e., nongrowth-linked) biotransformation reactions. This work investigates the abilities of AFFF site relevant bacteria (methanotrophs, propanotrophs, octane, pentane, isobutane, toluene, and ammonia oxidizers), known to express oxygenase enzymes when degrading their primary substrates, to biotransform perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors to terminal PFAAs. Microcosms containing AFFF-impacted groundwater, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS), or N-ethylperfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol (EtFOSE) were inoculated with the aerobic cultures above and incubated for 4 and 8 weeks at 22 °C. Bottles were sacrificed, extracted, and subjected to target, nontarget, and suspect screening for PFAS. The PFAA precursors 6:2 FTS, N-sulfopropyldimethyl ammoniopropyl perfluorohexane sulfonamide (SPrAmPr-FHxSA), and EtFOSE transformed up to 99, 71, and 93%, respectively, and relevant daughter products, such as the 6:1 fluorotelomer ketone sulfonate (6:1 FTKS), were identified in quantities previously not observed, implicating oxygenase enzymes. This is the first report of a suite of site relevant PFAA precursors being transformed in AFFF-impacted groundwater by bacteria grown on substrates known to induce specific oxygenase enzymes. The data provide crucial insights into the microbial transformation of these compounds in the subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A LaFond
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Rachael Rezes
- Biotechnology Development & Applications Group, APTIM, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, United States
| | - Marzieh Shojaei
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Todd Anderson
- The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - W Andrew Jackson
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Paul B Hatzinger
- Biotechnology Development & Applications Group, APTIM, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, United States
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Falk S, Gassmann M, Stahl T. Influence of age on the concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) in the tissues of perch (Percafluviatilis). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124512. [PMID: 38996992 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Globally, perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) are ubiquitous due to their almost unlimited applications in industry and households and are detected in a wide variety of matrices.Aquatic ecosystems are of particular importance due to the spread of PFAA via water fluxes. The majority of published studies describe PFAA concentrations in fish or aquatic mammals, but not the dependence of PFAA concentrations in tissues and organs in fish of different ages. Since this is very important for understanding the accumulation behavior of these substances our study systematically investigates the influence of age on the PFAA concentration in the tissues of 74 perches (Perca fluviatilis), a very popular edible fish. Fish are particularly suitable as indicators of PFAA contamination of water because of their uptake via water (gills and skin) and food (predominantly piscivorous diet). The mean total PFAA concentrations (as the sum of the individual concentrations of 11 compounds) were: 114 μg/kg (kidney), 112 μg/kg (heart), 79.9 μg/kg (liver), 78.4 μg/kg (spleen), 64.6 μg/kg (gills) and 21.7 μg/kg (muscle), with longer-chain compounds accounting for 90% of the substances. Perfluorooctanesulfoic acid (PFOS) accounted for the largest percentage of the total PFAA concentration in all tissues at 43-63%. With the exception of the heart and spleen, a significant increase in total concentrations was observed with increasing age of the perch. The strongest correlation was observed for the kidney, followed by the liver and gills. With regard to their consumption as human nutrition the tolerable weekly PFAA intake of 4.4 ng/kg bodyweight and week for the sum of the 4 EFSA PFAA in adults and children was exceeded many times over (860% and 1600% respectively) with an average fish consumption per week. The maximum PFAA levels set in the E.U. since January 2023 were exceeded five times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Falk
- Hessian State Laboratory, Glarusstr. 6, 65203 Wiesbaden, Germany.
| | - Matthias Gassmann
- Department of Hydrology and Substance Balance, University of Kassel, Kurt-Wolters-Str. 3, 34125 Kassel, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stahl
- Chemical and Veterinary Analytical Institute Münsterland-Emscher-Lippe, Joseph-König-Str. 40, 48147 Münster, Germany
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Idjaton BIT, Togola A, Ghestem JP, Kastler L, Bristeau S, Ronteltap M, Colombano S, Devau N, Lions J, van Hullebusch ED. Determination of organic fluorinated compounds content in complex samples through combustion ion chromatography methods: a way to define a "Total Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)" parameter? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:172589. [PMID: 38657803 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants are a growing concern for scientists and public authorities. The group of per-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as 'forever chemicals', in complex environmental liquid and solid matrices was analysed in this study. The development of global analytical methods based on combustion ion chromatography (CIC) is expected to provide accurate picture of the overall PFAS contamination level via the determination of extractable organic fluorine (EOF) and adsorbable organic fluorine (AOF). The obtained results may be put into perspective with other methods such as targeted analyses (LC-MS/MS). The impact of pH, the presence of dissolved organic carbon and suspended particles on AOF measurements were explored. The effectiveness of the washing step to remove adsorbed inorganic fluorine (IF) has been proven for samples containing up to 8 mgF.L-1. CIC-based methods showed good repeatability and reproducibility for the complex matrices studied. Environmental applications of these methods have been tested. AOF and EOF analyses could explain between 1 % and 23 % and 0.1 % to 2 % of total organic fluorine (TOF), respectively. The sum of PFAS compounds expressed as fluorine could explain from 0.2 % to 11 % and from 0.003 % to 5 % for AOF and EOF, respectively. These results also suggest that some fluorinated compounds are not adsorbed or extractable and/or lost by volatilisation during the application of AOF and EOF analytical procedure. These findings highlight that AOF and EOF are not entirely efficient as proxy to assess "total PFAS" for assessing environmental contamination by PFAS. However, these methods could still be applied to gain a better understanding of the sources and fate of PFAS in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatoundé I T Idjaton
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France; Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Anne Togola
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France.
| | - Jean Philippe Ghestem
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France
| | - Laura Kastler
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France
| | - Sébastien Bristeau
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France
| | - Mariska Ronteltap
- Delfland Water Authority, Phoenixstraat 32, the Netherlands; TU Delft, Water Management Department, Stevinweg 1, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Stéfan Colombano
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France
| | - Nicolas Devau
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France
| | - Julie Lions
- BRGM, Direction Eau Environnement Procédés et Analyses, 3 av. Claude-Guillemin - BP 36009, 45060 Orléans, France
| | - Eric D van Hullebusch
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
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van Leeuwen SPJ, Verschoor AM, van der Fels-Klerx HJ, van de Schans MGM, Berendsen BJA. A novel approach to identify critical knowledge gaps for food safety in circular food systems. NPJ Sci Food 2024; 8:34. [PMID: 38898053 PMCID: PMC11187133 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The transition from linear production towards a circular agro-food system is an important step towards increasing Europe's sustainability. This requires re-designing the food production systems, which inevitably comes with challenges as regards controlling the safety of our food, animals and the ecosystem. Where in current food production systems many food safety hazards are understood and well-managed, it is anticipated that with the transition towards circular food production systems, known hazards may re-emerge and new hazards will appear or accumulate, leading to new -and less understood- food safety risks. In this perspective paper, we present a simple, yet effective approach, to identify knowledge gaps with regard to food safety in the transition to a circular food system. An approach with five questions is proposed, derived from current food safety management approaches like HACCP. Applying this to two cases shows that risk assessment and management should emphasize more on the exposure to unexpected (with regards to its nature and its origin) hazards, as hazards might circulate and accumulate in the food production system. Five knowledge gaps became apparent: there's a need for (1) risk assessment and management to focus more on unknown hazards and mixtures of hazards, (2) more data on the occurrence of hazards in by-products, (3) better understanding the fate of hazards in the circular food production system, (4) the development of models to adequately perform risk assessments for a broad range of hazards and (5) new ways of valorization of co-products in which a safe-by-design approach should be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan P J van Leeuwen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - A M Verschoor
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H J van der Fels-Klerx
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - M G M van de Schans
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - B J A Berendsen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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7
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Xiao S, Liu T, Hu LX, Yang B, Ying GG. Non-target and target screening and risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in textile wastewater and receiving river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171876. [PMID: 38531445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Textile industry uses varieties of chemicals including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are known to be persistent and incompletely removed in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). So far, little is known about what types of PFAS are used in the textile industry and their potential risks. Here we investigated PFAS in two WWTPs and a receiving river of a textile industrial park in Guangxi, China, by using both target and non-target analyses over a two-year period. The target analysis identified 11 specific PFAS, while the non-target analysis revealed a list of 648 different PFAS, including both legacy and emerging substances. Notably, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was still the most prevalent compound detected. Of particular concern was the finding that the investigated WWTPs, which employs an A/O (Anaerobic/Aerobic) process, exhibited a poor removal efficiency for PFAS. The average removal rate was only 22.0 %, indicating that the current treatment processes are inadequate in effectively mitigating PFAS contamination. Correlation analysis further highlighted the potential for PFAS to be transported from WWTPs to the receiving river, revealing a significant and strong positive correlation between the PFAS in the WWTP effluent and those of the river. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and two emerging PFAS (DTXSID30240816 and DTXSID90240817) were identified to have high ecological risks in the receiving river. Notably, these two emerging PFAS are homologues, and their presence in WWTPs has been poorly reported. The findings highlight the wide use and persistence of PFAS in current textile WWTPs, indicating potential long term risks to the receiving environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Xiao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ting Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bin Yang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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8
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Davis SN, Klumker SM, Mitchell AA, Coppage MA, Labonté JM, Quigg A. Life in the PFAS lane: The impact of perfluoroalkyl substances on photosynthesis, cellular exudates, nutrient cycling, and composition of a marine microbial community. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171977. [PMID: 38547969 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of great ecological concern, however, exploration of their impact on bacteria-phytoplankton consortia is limited. This study employed a bioassay approach to investigate the effect of unary exposures of increasing concentrations of PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS)) on microbial communities from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Each community was examined for changes in growth and photophysiology, exudate production and shifts in community structure (16S and 18S rRNA genes). 6:2 FTS did not alter the growth or health of phytoplankton communities, as there were no changes relative to the controls (no PFOS added). On the other hand, PFOS elicited significant phototoxicity (p < 0.05), altering PSII antennae size, lowering PSII connectivity, and decreasing photosynthetic efficiency over the incubation (four days). PFOS induced a cellular protective response, indicated by significant increases (p < 0.001) in the release of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) compared to the control. Eukaryotic communities (18S rRNA gene) changed substantially (p < 0.05) and to a greater extent than prokaryotic communities (16S rRNA gene) in PFOS treatments. Community shifts were concentration-dependent for eukaryotes, with the low treatment (5 mg/L PFOS) dominated by Coscinodiscophyceae (40 %), and the high treatment (30 mg/L PFOS) marked by a Trebouxiophyceae (50 %) dominance. Prokaryotic community shifts were not concentration dependent, as both treatment levels became depleted in Cyanobacteriia and were dominated by members of the Bacteroidia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria classes. Further, PFOS significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the Shannon diversity and Pielou's evenness across treatments for eukaryotes, and in the low treatment (5 mg/L PFOS) for prokaryotes. These findings show that photophysiology was not impacted by 6:2 FTS but PFOS elicited toxicity that impacted photosynthesis, exudate release, and community composition. This research is crucial in understanding how PFOS impacts microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Davis
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA.
| | - Shaley M Klumker
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Alexis A Mitchell
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Marshall A Coppage
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jessica M Labonté
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 3146 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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9
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Behnami A, Zoroufchi Benis K, Pourakbar M, Yeganeh M, Esrafili A, Gholami M. Biosolids, an important route for transporting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from wastewater treatment plants into the environment: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171559. [PMID: 38458438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171559] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in diverse products has led to their introduction into wastewater systems, making wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) significant PFAS contributors to the environment. Despite WWTPs' efforts to mitigate PFAS impact through physicochemical and biological means, concerns persist regarding PFAS retention in generated biosolids. While numerous review studies have explored the fate of these compounds within WWTPs, no study has critically reviewed their presence, transformation mechanisms, and partitioning within the sludge. Therefore, the current study has been specifically designed to investigate these aspects. Studies show variations in PFAS concentrations across WWTPs, highlighting the importance of aqueous-to-solid partitioning, with sludge from PFOS and PFOA-rich wastewater showing higher concentrations. Research suggests biological mechanisms such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, transamine metabolism, and beta-oxidation are involved in PFAS biotransformation, though the effects of precursor changes require further study. Carbon chain length significantly affects PFAS partitioning, with longer chains leading to greater adsorption in sludge. The wastewater's organic and inorganic content is crucial for PFAS adsorption; for instance, higher sludge protein content and divalent cations like calcium and magnesium promote adsorption, while monovalent cations like sodium impede it. In conclusion, these discoveries shed light on the complex interactions among factors affecting PFAS behavior in biosolids. They underscore the necessity for thorough considerations in managing PFAS presence and its impact on environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Behnami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khaled Zoroufchi Benis
- Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mojtaba Pourakbar
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran; Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Yeganeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Esrafili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mitra Gholami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Nguyen HT, Thai PK, Kaserzon SL, O'Brien JW, Mueller JF. Nationwide occurrence and discharge mass load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent and biosolids: A snapshot from 75 wastewater treatment plants across Australia. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134203. [PMID: 38581874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134203] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as secondary sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) released into the environment. In this study, PFAS concentrations were measured in effluent and biosolids samples collected from 75 WWTPs across Australia during the 2016 Census period, which covers more than half of the Australian population. Twelve PFAS compounds, including six C5-C10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), four perfluoro sulfonic acids (PFSAs) such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfuorohexane sulfonic (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (PFDS), and one fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS), were detected in the effluent, with concentrations up to 504 ng/L (PFHxS). Among these, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluoropentanic acid (PFPeA) exhibited the highest median concentrations. In the biosolids, a total of 21 PFAS compounds were detected, encompassing ten C4-C14 PFCAs, four PFSAs, two FTS (6:2 and 8:2 FTS), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), two perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (NMethyl FOSAA and NEthyl FOSAA), and two perfluorooctane sulfonamido ethanol (FOSE), with dry weight (dw) concentrations approaching 235 ng/g (PFOS). The highest median and mean concentrations were observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and PFOS. An annual discharge of approximately 250 kg of the total 21 PFAS compounds was estimated through the effluent and biosolids of the participating WWTPs. Notably, PFOS and 6:2 FTS constituted the largest proportion of total PFAS in the WWTPs' output. While PFCAs were higher in effluent concentrations compared to influent levels across most WWTPs (92% of WWTPs for ∑8PFCAs), the concentrations of PFSAs either decreased or remained relatively stable (in 80% of WWTPs for ∑4PFSAs) throughout the wastewater treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue T Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; Faculty of Environment, University of Sciences, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 748500, Viet Nam.
| | - Phong K Thai
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Sarit L Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
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11
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Sidnell T, Hurst J, Lee J, Bussemaker MJ. Increasing efficiency and treatment volumes for sonolysis of per- and poly-fluorinated substances, applied to aqueous film-forming foam. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2024; 105:106866. [PMID: 38613919 PMCID: PMC11026841 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Sonolysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has recently matured to field studies, treating real world contamination. However, efficient sonolysis reactor designs are poorly researched. Moreover, the variety and complexity of PFAS pollution slows reactor optimisation and scale-up. In this work, the defluorination of 10.0 mg/L aqueous perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was used as a model metric for the optimisation of; reactor volume (0.6 or 1.4 L), power density (100 - 350 W L-1), number of modular reactors (1-3), and liquid height (56.7 - 340 mm). Note, the ultrasonic frequency (410 kHz) and flow rate (214.2 ml min-1) was optimised in this reactor previously. Peak PFOS defluorination rate (3.40 μmolL-1 min-1) occurred at 141.8 mm, in a 0.6 L reactor, under 200 WL-1 ultrasound. Increasing the number of transducers connected in parallel to one amplifier was able to increase treatment efficiency from 78.6 to 191.8 μmol kWh-1. The model was validated using legacy aqueous film forming foam (AFFF, 3 M FC-602 Lightwater) at different dilutions (×5, ×10, ×20 and ×100). Dilution played a role in AFFF sonolysis efficiency with optimal PFAS sonolysis rate (4.28 μmol L-1 min-1) at 20 × dilution. Overall AFFF was effectively modelled with a synthetic PFOS solution, attributed to limited matrix effects in AFFF sonolysis and high PFAS concentration (0.18-1.83 g L-1) dominated by PFOS (0.15 - 1.53 g L-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Sidnell
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Hurst
- ARCADIS, 1 Whitehall Riverside, Leeds, LS1 4BN, UK, United Kingdom
| | - Judy Lee
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Madeleine J Bussemaker
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
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12
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Qin X, Zhuang Y, Shi B. PFAS promotes disinfection byproduct formation through triggering particle-bound organic matter release in drinking water pipes. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121339. [PMID: 38432003 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Loose deposit particles in drinking water distribution system commonly exist as mixtures of metal oxides, organic materials, bacteria, and extracellular secretions. In addition to their turbidity-causing effects, the hazards of such particles in drinking water are rarely recognized. In this study, we found that trace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) could dramatically promote the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) by triggering the release of particle-bound organic matter. Carboxylic PFASs have a greater ability to increase chloroacetic acid than sulfonic PFASs, and PFASs with longer chains have a greater ability to increase trichloromethane release than shorter-chain PFASs. Characterization by organic carbon and organic nitrogen detectors and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry revealed that the released organic matter was mainly composed of proteins, carbohydrates, lignin, and condensed aromatic structures, which are the main precursors for the formation of DBPs, particularly highly toxic aromatic DBPs. After the release of organic matter, the particles exhibit a decrease in surface functional groups, an increase in surface roughness, and a decrease in particle size. The findings provide new insights into the risks of loose deposits and PFASs in drinking water, not only on PFASs per se but also on its effect of increasing toxic DBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Qin
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Baoyou Shi
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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13
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Gonkowski S, Ochoa-Herrera V. Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in amphibians and reptiles - exposure and health effects. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 270:106907. [PMID: 38564994 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are commonly used in various industries and everyday products, including clothing, electronics, furniture, paints, and many others. PFASs are primarily found in aquatic environments, but also present in soil, air and plants, making them one of the most important and dangerous pollutants of the natural environment. PFASs bioaccumulate in living organisms and are especially dangerous to aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. As endocrine disruptors, PFASs affect many internal organs and systems, including reproductive, endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. This manuscript represents the first comprehensive review exclusively focusing on PFASs in amphibians and reptiles. Both groups of animals are highly vulnerable to PFASs in the natural habitats. Amphibians and reptiles, renowned for their sensitivity to environmental changes, are often used as crucial bioindicators to monitor ecosystem health and environmental pollution levels. Furthermore, the decline in amphibian and reptile populations worldwide may be related to increasing environmental pollution. Therefore, studies investigating the exposure of amphibians and reptiles to PFASs, as well as their impacts on these organisms are essential in modern toxicology. Summarizing the current knowledge on PFASs in amphibians and reptiles in a single manuscript will facilitate the exploration of new research topics in this field. Such a comprehensive review will aid researchers in understanding the implications of PFASs exposure on amphibians and reptiles, guiding future investigations to mitigate their adverse effects of these vital components of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slawomir Gonkowski
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Valeria Ochoa-Herrera
- Colegio de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, 170901, Ecuador; Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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14
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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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15
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Porseryd T, Larsson J, Lindman J, Malmström E, Smolarz K, Grahn M, Dinnétz P. Effects on food intake of Gammarus spp. after exposure to PFBA in very low concentrations. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116369. [PMID: 38640762 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of highly persistent anthropogenic chemicals widely used in many industries. Therefore, they are, ubiquitously present in various types of environments. Despite their omnipresence, ecotoxicological studies of most PFAS are scarce, and those available often assess the effects of long chain PFAS. In this study, we present the results of an exposure experiment in which wild aquatic amphipod Gammarus spp. was exposed to the short chain perfluorinated substance perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) at very low and environmentally relevant concentrations of 0, 10 and 100 ng/L. The exposure lasted for 12 days, and food intake and non-reproductive behavior were analyzed. Exposure to 10 and 100 ng/L PFBA resulted in a lower consumption of food during exposure but no effect on behavior was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Porseryd
- Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Josefine Larsson
- Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden; Marint centrum, Simrishamn Kommun, Simrishamn, Sweden
| | - Johanna Lindman
- Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Erica Malmström
- Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Katarzyna Smolarz
- Department of Marine Ecosystems Functioning, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mats Grahn
- Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Patrik Dinnétz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
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16
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Li J, Li X, An R, Duan L, Wang G. Occurrence, source apportionment, and ecological risk of legacy and emerging per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Dahei river basin of a typical arid region in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118111. [PMID: 38184065 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118111] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are artificial chemicals with broad commercial and industrial applications. Many studies about PFASs have been conducted in densely industrial and populated regions. However, fewer studies have focused on the PFASs' status in a typical arid region. Here, we investigated 30 legacy and emerging PFASs in surface water from the mainstream and tributaries of the Dahei River. Our results revealed that total PFASs concentrations (∑30PFASs) in water ranged from 3.13 to 289.1 ng/L (mean: 25.40 ng/L). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had the highest mean concentration of 2.44 ng/L with a 100% detection frequency (DF), followed by perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (mean concentration: 1.34 ng/L, DF: 59.26%). Also, perfluorohexane sulfonate (DF: 44.44%), perfluorobutane sulfonate (DF: 88.89%), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (DF: 92.59%) had mean concentrations of 12.94, 2.00, and 1.05 ng/L, respectively. Source apportionment through ratio analysis and principal component analysis-multiple linear regression analysis showed that treated or untreated sewage, aqueous film-forming foam, degradation of precursors, and fluoropolymer production were the primary sources. The PFOS alternatives were more prevalent than those of PFOA. Conductivity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a positively correlated with Σ30PFASs and total perfluoroalkane sulfonates concentrations. Furthermore, ecological risk assessment showed that more attention should be paid to perfluorooctadecanoic acid, perfluorohexadecanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and (6:2 and 6:2/8:2) polyfluoroalkyl phosphate mono- and di-esters. The mass load of PFASs to the Yellow River was 1.28 kg/year due to the low annual runoff in the Dahei River in the arid region. This study provides baseline data for PFASs in the Dahei River that can aid in the development of effective management strategies for controlling PFASs pollution in typical arid regions in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- . Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Xinlei Li
- . Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Rui An
- . China Institute for Geo-Environmental Monitoring, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Limin Duan
- . Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Water Resource Protection and Utilization, College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- . Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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17
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Gewurtz SB, Auyeung AS, De Silva AO, Teslic S, Smyth SA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Canadian municipal wastewater and biosolids: Recent patterns and time trends 2009 to 2021. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168638. [PMID: 37984658 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in raw influent, final effluent, and treated biosolids at Canadian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to evaluate the fate of PFAS through liquid and solids trains of typical treatment process types used in Canada and to assess time trends of PFAS in wastewater between 2009 and 2021. Data for 42 PFAS in samples collected from 27 WWTP across Canada were used to assess current concentrations and 48 WWTPs were included in the time trends analysis. Although regulated and phased-out of production by industry since the early 2000s and late 2000s/early2010s, respectively, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and other long-chain PFAS continue to be widely detected in Canadian wastewater and biosolids. Short-chain PFAS that are not currently regulated in Canada were also widely detected. In general, elevated concentrations of several PFAS were observed at WWTPs that receive landfill leachate. Except for PFOS, concentrations of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) generally decreased over time in influent, effluent, and biosolids, which is attributable to industrial production phase-outs and regulations. Concentrations of PFOS did not decrease over time in wastewater media. This indicates that regulatory action and industrial phase-outs of PFOS are slow to be reflected in wastewater. Concentrations of short-chain PFCAs in wastewater influent and effluent consistently increased between 2009 and 2021, which reflect the use of short-chain PFAS as replacements for phased-out and regulated longer-chained PFAS. Short-chain PFAS were infrequently detected in biosolids. Continued periodic monitoring of PFAS in wastewater matrices in Canada and throughout the world is recommended to track the effectiveness of regulatory actions, particularly activities to address the broad class of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Gewurtz
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Alexandra S Auyeung
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Steven Teslic
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Shirley Anne Smyth
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada.
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18
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Zhang H, Chen Y, Liu Y, Bowden JA, Townsend TG, Solo-Gabriele HM. Comparison of the PFAS and physical-chemical parameter fluctuations between an ash landfill and a MSW landfill. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 174:558-567. [PMID: 38141373 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) fluctuations at landfills have focused on municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate. Few studies exist that evaluate fluctuations (defined by the coefficient of variation, CV) in MSW incinerator ash (MSWA) landfill leachate and that evaluate PFAS fluctuations in stormwater, groundwater, and treated liquids on-site. In this study, aqueous landfill samples (leachate, treated leachate, stormwater, gas condensate, ambient groundwater, and effluent from a groundwater remediation system) were collected from a MSW and an MSWA landfill geographically located within close proximity (less than 40 km). The objective of this study was to compare the leachate compositions between these two landfill types and to evaluate temporal variations. Results indicated that the CV of total detected PFAS concentrations in leachate was higher for the MSW landfill (CV = 43 %) compared to the MSWA landfill (CV = 16 %). The total detected PFAS concentration in MSW leachate samples (mean: 9641 ng/L) was higher than in MSWA leachate samples (mean: 2621 ng/L) (p < 0.05). Within a landfill, PFAS concentrations were correlated (rs > 0.6, p < 0.05) with alkalinity, total organic carbon (TOC), and ammonia. Results from the on-site leachate treatment system at the MSW landfill indicated reductions in COD, TOC, and ammonia; however, the ∑26PFAS concentration increased 3 % after the treatment. Overall, results demonstrated that differences between landfill types and fluctuations in PFAS within landfills should be considered when designing landfill leachate collection and treatment systems to remove PFAS. The comparative analysis in this study can provide insights into optimizing leachate management for MSW and MSWA landfills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hekai Zhang
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Yutao Chen
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Yalan Liu
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology & Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Timothy G Townsend
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States.
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19
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Link GW, Reeves DM, Cassidy DP, Coffin ES. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in final treated solids (Biosolids) from 190 Michigan wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132734. [PMID: 37922581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Trends in concentration, distribution, and variability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids are characterized using an extensive dataset of 350 samples from 190 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Michigan. All samples are comprised of final treated solids generated at the end of the wastewater treatment process. Concentrations of both individual and Σ24 PFAS are lognormally distributed, with Σ24 PFAS concentrations ranging from 1-3200 ng/g and averaging 108 ± 277 ng/g dry wt. PFAS with carboxyl and sulfonic functional groups comprise 29% and 71% of Σ24 PFAS concentrations, respectively, on average. Primary sample variability in concentration is associated with long-chain PFAS with higher tendency for partitioning to biosolids. Short-chain carboxylic compounds, most notably PFHxA, are responsible for secondary concentration variability. Usage of FTSA and PFBS replacements to long-chain sulfonic compounds also contributes to variance in biosolids concentrations. Sulfonamide precursor compounds as a collective group are detected at a similar frequency as PFOS and often have higher concentrations. Trends in PFAS enrichment for individual PFAS vary at least 3 orders-of-magnitude and generally increase with compound hydrophobicity; however, partitioning of PFAS onto solids in WWTPs is a complex process not easily described nor constrained using experimentally-derived partitioning coefficients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett W Link
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Donald M Reeves
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA.
| | - Daniel P Cassidy
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Ethan S Coffin
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
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20
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Li S, Ma J, Cheng J, Wu G, Wang S, Huang C, Li J, Chen L. Metal-Organic Framework-Based Composites for the Adsorption Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Water. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 38301280 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The increasing health risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment highlight the importance of implementing effective removal techniques. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are inadequate for removing persistent organic pollutants. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated that metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are capable of removing PFASs from water through adsorption techniques. However, there is still constructive discussion on the potential of MOFs in adsorbing and removing PFASs for large-scale engineering applications. This review systematically investigates the use of MOFs as adsorbents for the removal of PFAS in water treatment. This primarily involved a comprehensive analysis of existing literature to understand the adsorption mechanisms of MOFs and to identify factors that enhance their efficiency in removing PFASs. We also explore the critical aspects of regeneration and stability of MOFs, assessing their reusability and long-term performance, which are essential for large-scale water treatment applications. Finally, our study highlights the challenges of removing PFASs using MOFs. Especially, the efficient removal of short-chain PFASs with hydrophilicity is a major challenge, while medium- to long-chain PFASs are frequently susceptible to being captured from water by MOFs through multiple synergistic effects. The ion-exchange force may be the key to solving this difficulty, but its susceptibility to ion interference in water needs to be addressed in practical applications. We hope that this review can provide valuable insights into the effective removal and adsorption mechanisms of PFASs as well as advance the sustainable utilization of MOFs in the field of water treatment, thereby presenting a novel perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266033, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiping Ma
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266033, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawen Cheng
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266033, People's Republic of China
| | - Gege Wu
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266033, People's Republic of China
| | - Shasha Wang
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266033, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaonan Huang
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266033, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhua Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, People's Republic of China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingxin Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, People's Republic of China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, People's Republic of China
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21
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Paige T, De Silva T, Buddhadasa S, Prasad S, Nugegoda D, Pettigrove V. Background concentrations and spatial distribution of PFAS in surface waters and sediments of the greater Melbourne area, Australia. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140791. [PMID: 38029939 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140791] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
A survey of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was conducted in Melbourne, Australia to determine background concentrations in residential, industrial, municipal wastewater treatment plants, and rural land uses. Surface water and sediment samples collected from 65 sites with different catchment land uses were analysed for thirty-three PFAS. Twenty-two out of thirty-three targeted PFAS were detected, with at least one PFAS species was detected in 98% water samples and 8% sediment samples. One site was determined to have point-source pollution from an airport (surface water Σ33PFAS = 4261 ng/L) and was excluded from statistical analyses. The median Σ33PFAS concentration in surface water was 63.5 ng/L and the average was 78.6 ng/L (range < DL-526 ng/L). PFAS species with the highest median concentrations were PFBA (11.3 ng/L), PFHxA (9.2 ng/L), PFOA (8.3 ng/L), PFOS (8.0 ng/L), PFPeA (7.5 ng/L), PFHpA (3.2 ng/L), and PFHxS (2.9 ng/L). The average Σ4PFAS in sediments was 0.35 ng/g d.w. (range =
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Paige
- Aquatic Environmental Stress (AQUEST) Research Group, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
| | - Thishakya De Silva
- National Measurement Institute, 1/153 Bertie St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207, Australia
| | - Saman Buddhadasa
- National Measurement Institute, 1/153 Bertie St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207, Australia
| | - Shiva Prasad
- National Measurement Institute, 105 Delhi Rd, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
| | - Dayanthi Nugegoda
- Aquatic Environmental Stress (AQUEST) Research Group, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Vincent Pettigrove
- Aquatic Environmental Stress (AQUEST) Research Group, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
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22
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Foord CS, Szabo D, Robb K, Clarke BO, Nugegoda D. Hepatic concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dolphins from south-east Australia: Highest reported globally. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168438. [PMID: 37963535 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations were investigated in hepatic tissue of four dolphin species stranded along the south-east coast of Australia between 2006 and 2021; Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Two Burrunan dolphin populations represented in the dataset have the highest reported global population concentrations of ∑25PFAS (Port Phillip Bay median 9750 ng/g ww, n = 3, and Gippsland Lakes median 3560 ng/g ww, n = 8), which were 50-100 times higher than the other species reported here; common bottlenose dolphin (50 ng/g ww, n = 9), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (80 ng/g ww, n = 1), and short-beaked common dolphin (61 ng/g ww, n = 12). Also included in the results is the highest reported individual ∑25PFAS (19,500 ng/g ww) and PFOS (18,700 ng/g ww) concentrations, at almost 30 % higher than any other Cetacea reported globally. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was above method reporting limits for all samples (range; 5.3-18,700 ng/g ww), and constituted the highest contribution to overall ∑PFAS burdens with between 47 % and 99 % of the profile across the dataset. The concentrations of PFOS exceed published tentative critical concentrations (677-775 ng/g) in 42 % of all dolphins and 90 % of the critically endangered Burrunan dolphin. This research reports for the first time novel and emerging PFASs such as 6:2 Cl-PFESA, PFMPA, PFEECH and FBSA in marine mammals of the southern hemisphere, with high detection rates across the dataset. It is the first study to show the occurrence of PFAS in the tissues of multiple species of Cetacea from the Australasian region, demonstrating high global concentrations for inshore dolphins. Finally, it provides key baseline knowledge to the potential exposure and bioaccumulation of PFAS compounds within the coastal environment of south-east Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantel S Foord
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bundoora, Australia; Marine Mammal Foundation, Mentone, VIC.
| | - Drew Szabo
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16C, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kate Robb
- Marine Mammal Foundation, Mentone, VIC
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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23
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Ilieva Z, Hamza RA, Suehring R. The significance of fluorinated compound chain length, treatment technology, and influent composition on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal in worldwide wastewater treatment plants. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:59-69. [PMID: 37096563 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are deemed major conveyors and point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment. This statistical meta-analysis of existing literature from the past 15 years focused on the significance of treatment type for PFAS removal efficiencies and the influence of PFAS sources (domestic vs. industrial) on their removal. Different sampling events, WWTPs across the world, different treatment technologies, configurations, and processes, as well as different PFAS classes and compounds were considered. This study evaluated 13 PFAS analyzed predominantly in 161 WWTPs across the world. The statistical test results revealed that these 13 frequently detected and reported PFAS can be divided into four groups based on their behavior during wastewater treatment, namely (1) C6-10 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), (2) C4,5,11,12 PFCAs, (3) C4,6,8 perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs), and (4) C10 PFSA. In this study, biological treatments such as (1) membrane bioreactors, (2) combination of two or more biological treatments, and (3) biofilm processes revealed the highest PFAS removals, although the addition of a tertiary treatment actually had a nonbeneficial effect on PFAS removal. Moreover, a strong statistical correlation was observed between industrial wastewater sources and the presence of high influent PFAS concentrations in the receiving WWTPs. This indicates that industrial sources were the main contributors of the PFAS load in the analyzed WWTPs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:59-69. © 2023 The Authors. 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)
- Zanina Ilieva
- Department of Civil Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rania A Hamza
- Department of Civil Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roxana Suehring
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Ling AL, Vermace RR, McCabe AJ, Wolohan KM, Kyser SJ. Is removal and destruction of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from wastewater effluent affordable? WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e10975. [PMID: 38254296 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Several jurisdictions are currently evaluating regulatory standards for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in municipal water resource recovery facility (WRRF) effluent. Effective and responsible implementation of PFAS effluent limits should consider the costs and capabilities of currently available technologies, because the costs of meeting WRRF PFAS limits could disproportionally fall to ratepayers. Cost curves were developed for currently available PFAS separation and destruction options, assuming effluent treatment targets near current analytical detection limits. Removing and destroying PFAS from municipal WRRF effluent is estimated to increase costs per household by a factor of between 2 and 210, using Minnesota-specific data as an example. Estimated costs per household would increase more for residents of smaller communities, averaging 33% of median household income (MHHI) in communities smaller than 1000 people. This exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-developed affordability index of 2% of MHHI by a factor of 16. Estimated costs per household to remove and destroy PFAS varied among locations, primarily based on WRRF and community size, median income, rural versus urban, and type of wastewater treatment processes currently used. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Required tertiary treatment before WRRF effluent PFAS separation, using currently available technologies, is a significant portion (~40-80%) of estimated costs. Adding PFAS separation, destruction, and pre-treatment would make Minnesota wastewater rates unaffordable (defined by EPA affordability guidance) without external funding. The estimated cost per household is higher for smaller communities and would require substantial external funding to maintain rate affordability. Design and operating uncertainties remain for full-scale WRRF retrofits to consistently remove and destroy effluent PFAS with limited full-scale applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison L Ling
- Barr Engineering Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | - Scott J Kyser
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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25
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Tolaymat T, Robey N, Krause M, Larson J, Weitz K, Parvathikar S, Phelps L, Linak W, Burden S, Speth T, Krug J. A critical review of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) landfill disposal in the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167185. [PMID: 37734620 PMCID: PMC10842600 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Landfills manage materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from municipal solid waste (MSW) and other waste streams. This manuscript summarizes state and federal initiatives and critically reviews peer-reviewed literature to define best practices for managing these wastes and identify data gaps to guide future research. The objective is to inform stakeholders about waste-derived PFAS disposed of in landfills, PFAS emissions, and the potential for related environmental impacts. Furthermore, this document highlights data gaps and uncertainties concerning the fate of PFAS during landfill disposal. Most studies on this topic measured PFAS in liquid landfill effluent (leachate); comparatively fewer have attempted to estimate PFAS loading in landfills or other effluent streams such as landfill gas (LFG). In all media, the reported total PFAS heavily depends on waste types and the number of PFAS included in the analytical method. Early studies which only measured a small number of PFAS, predominantly perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), likely report a significant underestimation of total PFAS. Major findings include relationships between PFAS effluent and landfill conditions - biodegradable waste increases PFAS transformation and leaching. Based on the results of multiple studies, it is estimated that 84% of PFAS loading to MSW landfills (7.2 T total) remains in the waste mass, while 5% leaves via LFG and 11% via leachate on an annual basis. The environmental impact of landfill-derived PFAS has been well-documented. Additional research is needed on PFAS in landfilled construction and demolition debris, hazardous, and industrial waste in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thabet Tolaymat
- The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Nicole Robey
- Innovative Technical Solutions, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Max Krause
- The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Judd Larson
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Keith Weitz
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Lara Phelps
- The Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - William Linak
- The Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Susan Burden
- Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tom Speth
- The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan Krug
- The Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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26
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Ross TA, Zhang J, Wille M, Ciesielski TM, Asimakopoulos AG, Lemesle P, Skaalvik TG, Atkinson R, Jessop R, Jaspers VLB, Klaassen M. Assessment of contaminants, health and survival of migratory shorebirds in natural versus artificial wetlands - The potential of wastewater treatment plants as alternative habitats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166309. [PMID: 37586507 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The rapid destruction of natural wetland habitats over past decades has been partially offset by an increase in artificial wetlands. However, these also include wastewater treatment plants, which may pose a pollution risk to the wildlife using them. We studied two long-distance Arctic-breeding migratory shorebird species, curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea, n = 69) and red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis, n = 103), while on their Australian non-breeding grounds using an artificial wetland at a wastewater treatment plant (WTP) and a natural coastal wetland. We compared pollutant exposure (elements and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances/PFASs), disease (avian influenza), physiological status (oxidative stress) of the birds at the two locations from 2011 to 2020, and population survival from 1978 to 2019. Our results indicated no significant differences in blood pellet pollutant concentrations between the habitats except mercury (WTP median: 224 ng/g, range: 19-873 ng/g; natural wetland: 160 ng/g, 22-998 ng/g) and PFASs (total PFASs WTP median: 85.1 ng/g, range: <0.01-836 ng/g; natural wetland: 8.02 ng/g, <0.01-85.3 ng/g) which were higher at the WTP, and selenium which was lower at the WTP (WTP median: 5000 ng/g, range: 1950-34,400 ng/g; natural wetland: 19,200 ng/g, 4130-65,200 ng/g). We also measured higher blood o,o'-dityrosine (an indicator of protein damage) at the WTP. No significant differences were found for adult survival, but survival of immature birds at the WTP appeared to be lower which could be due to higher dispersal to other wetlands. Interestingly, we found active avian influenza infections were higher in the natural habitat, while seropositivity was higher in the WTP, seemingly not directly related to pollutant exposure. Overall, we found limited differences in pollutant exposure, health and survival of the shorebirds in the two habitats. Our findings suggest that appropriately managed wastewater treatment wetlands could provide a suitable alternative habitat to these migratory species, which may aid in curbing the decline of shorebird populations from widespread habitat loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias A Ross
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, VIC 3216, Australia.
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Michelle Wille
- Sydney School for Infectious Diseases, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway; Department of Arctic Technology, The University Center in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
| | | | - Prescillia Lemesle
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Tonje G Skaalvik
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Robyn Atkinson
- Victorian Wader Study Group, Thornbury, VIC, 3071, Australia
| | - Roz Jessop
- Victorian Wader Study Group, Thornbury, VIC, 3071, Australia
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, VIC 3216, Australia; Victorian Wader Study Group, Thornbury, VIC, 3071, Australia
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27
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Wee SY, Aris AZ. Environmental impacts, exposure pathways, and health effects of PFOA and PFOS. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115663. [PMID: 37976959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been widely utilized in various industries since the 1940s, and have now emerged as environmental contaminants. In recent years, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been restricted and replaced with several alternatives. The high persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of these substances have contributed to their emergence as environmental contaminants, and several aspects of their behavior remain largely unknown and require further investigation. The trace level of PFAS makes the development of a monitoring database challenging. Additionally, the potential health issues associated with PFAS are not yet fully understood due to ongoing research and inadequate evidence (experimental and epidemiological studies), especially with regard to the combined effects of exposure to PFAS mixtures and human health risks from drinking water consumption. This in-depth review offers unprecedented insights into the exposure pathways and toxicological impacts of PFAS, addressing critical knowledge gaps in their behaviors and health implications. It presents a comprehensive NABC-Needs, Approach, Benefits, and Challenges-analysis to guide future strategies for the sustainable monitoring and management of these pervasive environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Yee Wee
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Ahmad Zaharin Aris
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
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28
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Silver M, Phelps W, Masarik K, Burke K, Zhang C, Schwartz A, Wang M, Nitka AL, Schutz J, Trainor T, Washington JW, Rheineck BD. Prevalence and Source Tracing of PFAS in Shallow Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in Wisconsin, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:17415-17426. [PMID: 37916814 PMCID: PMC10653221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Samples from 450 homes with shallow private wells throughout the state of Wisconsin (USA) were collected and analyzed for 44 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), general water quality parameters, and indicators of human waste as well as agricultural influence. At least one PFAS was detected in 71% of the study samples, and 22 of the 44 PFAS analytes were detected in one or more samples. Levels of PFOA and/or PFOS exceeded the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels of 4 ng/L, put forward by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2023, in 17 of the 450 samples, with two additional samples containing PFHxS ≳ 9 ng/L (the EPA-proposed hazard index reference value). Those samples above the referenced PFAS levels tend to be associated with developed land and human waste indicators (artificial sweeteners and pharmaceuticals), which can be released to groundwater via septic systems. For a few samples with levels of PFOA, PFOS, and/or PFHxS > 40 ng/L, application of wastes to agricultural land is a possible source. Overall, the study suggests that human waste sources, septic systems in particular, are important sources of perfluoroalkyl acids, especially ones with ≤8 perfluorinated carbons, in shallow groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Silver
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - William Phelps
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Kevin Masarik
- Center
for Watershed Science and Education, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, United States
| | - Kyle Burke
- Environmental
Health Division—Organics, Wisconsin
State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Chen Zhang
- Environmental
Health Division—Organics, Wisconsin
State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Alex Schwartz
- Environmental
Health Division—Organics, Wisconsin
State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Miaoyan Wang
- Department
of Statistics, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Amy L. Nitka
- Center
for Watershed Science and Education, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, United States
| | - Jordan Schutz
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Tom Trainor
- Bureau
of Environmental Analysis and Sustainability − Laboratory Certification, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54313, United States
| | - John W. Washington
- Center
for
Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, United States
| | - Bruce D. Rheineck
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
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29
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Ganbat N, Hamdi FM, Ibrar I, Altaee A, Alsaka L, Samal AK, Zhou J, Hawari AH. Iron slag permeable reactive barrier for PFOA removal by the electrokinetic process. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132360. [PMID: 37657326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of the Standalone Electrokinetic (EK) process in soil PFAS removal is negligible, primarily due to the intersecting mechanisms of electromigration and electroosmosis transportation. Consequently, the redistribution of PFAS across the soil matrix occurs, hampering effective remediation efforts. Permeable reactive barrier (PRB) has been used to capture contaminants and extract them at the end of the EK process. This study conducted laboratory-scale tests to evaluate the feasibility of the iron slag PRB enhanced-EK process in conjunction with Sodium Cholate (NaC) biosurfactant as a cost-effective and sustainable method for removing PFOA from the soil. A 2 cm iron slag-based PRB with a pH of 9.5, obtained from the steel-making industry, was strategically embedded in the middle of the EK reactors to capture PFOA within the soil. The main component of the slag, iron oxide, exhibited significant adsorption capacity for PFOA contamination. The laboratory-scale tests were conducted over two weeks, revealing a PFOA removal rate of more than 79% in the slag/activated carbon PRB-EK test with NaC enhancement and 70% PFOA removal in the slag/activated carbon PRB-EK without NaC. By extending the duration of the slag/AC PRB-EK test with NaC enhancement to three weeks, the PFOA removal rate increased to 94.09%, with the slag/AC PRB capturing over 87% of the initial PFOA concentration of 10 mg/L. The specific energy required for soil decontamination by the EK process was determined to be 0.15 kWh/kg. The outcomes of this study confirm the feasibility of utilizing iron slag waste in the EK process to capture PFOA contaminants, offering a sustainable approach to soil decontamination. Combining iron slag PRB and NaC biosurfactant provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for efficient PFOA removal from soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namuun Ganbat
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Faris M Hamdi
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Ibrar Ibrar
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Ali Altaee
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
| | - Lilyan Alsaka
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Akshaya K Samal
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain University, Ramanagara, Bangalore 562 112, Karnataka, India
| | - John Zhou
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Alaa H Hawari
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
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30
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Pang H, Allinson M, Northcott K, Schultz A, Scales PJ. Demonstrating removal credits for contaminants of emerging concern in recycled water through a reverse osmosis barrier-A predictive framework. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120427. [PMID: 37567126 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The performance of individual reverse osmosis (RO) systems varies significantly with different contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). As such, log reduction values (LRVs) of the concentration of these chemicals cannot be arbitrarily credited in water treatment and water recycling. This study looks to present an approach to the management of chemical risks by providing a systematic validation of RO barrier performance with respect to LRV credits for various classes of CECs. In this work, a one-off sampling campaign across five treatment barriers (strainer filtration, ultrafiltration, RO, ion exchange, chlorination) of a full-scale water recycling plant was conducted, followed by a systematic sampling campaign for a period of six weeks across just the RO barrier. The CECs screening methodology used GC-MS for quantification of 948 trace organic chemicals along with specific 44 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) screening using LC-MS/MS to demonstrate the removal credits of the RO barrier to a wide spectrum of CECs. The work was used to validate an LRV barrier credit framework so as to predict the performance of a polyamide RO membrane for removal of a range of chemical classes, under typical operational conditions. Conductivity was validated as an efficient surrogate for membrane integrity and RO performance, along with specified operational conditions associated with permeate flux and recovery rate. A bioassay method (photobacterium test) showed good potential to be used as a quick measure to indicate the general toxicity of a sample caused by chemical contamination, because of its high detection sensitivity and time and cost efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiao Pang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Mayumi Allinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kathy Northcott
- Veolia Australia & New Zealand, Melbourne, VIC 3006, Australia
| | - Aaron Schultz
- Veolia Australia & New Zealand, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Peter J Scales
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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31
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Müller V, Kindness A, Feldmann J. Fluorine mass balance analysis of PFAS in communal waters at a wastewater plant from Austria. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120501. [PMID: 37647770 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants are a major source of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment; moreover, long chain PFAS are known to accumulate in sewage sludge. Although publications on PFAS in wastewater are available from around the globe, little information is available from Central Europe. In this study influent, effluent, and sludge from two wastewater treatment plants from Austria were analysed for target PFAS compounds with HPLC MS/MS and extractable organic fluorine (EOF) content with combustion ion chromatography (CIC). The sum of 31 target PFAS increased from 22 to 47 ng L-1 in influent to 140 - 213 ng L-1 in effluent and around 10 ng g-1 in sludge, while EOF were found to be consistent (2.3 - 3.5 µg F L-1) in influent/effluent and 280 ng F g-1 in sludge. Mass balance analysis showed an increase in the identified PFAS compounds in the effluent compared to the influent (from 0.9% - 1.3% to 3.6% - 6.1%), suggesting biotransformation of non-targeted PFAS precursor compounds. In conclusion, wastewater treatment plants transform some PFAS, and wastewater effluent is a source of PFAS contamination in surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Müller
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom; Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitatsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Andrew Kindness
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitatsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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32
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Joseph NT, Schwichtenberg T, Cao D, Jones GD, Rodowa AE, Barlaz MA, Charbonnet JA, Higgins CP, Field JA, Helbling DE. Target and Suspect Screening Integrated with Machine Learning to Discover Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Source Fingerprints. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14351-14362. [PMID: 37696050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
This study elucidates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) fingerprints for specific PFAS source types. Ninety-two samples were collected from aqueous film-forming foam impacted groundwater (AFFF-GW), landfill leachate, biosolids leachate, municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent (WWTP), and wastewater effluent from the pulp and paper and power generation industries. High-resolution mass spectrometry operated with electrospray ionization in negative mode was used to quantify up to 50 target PFASs and screen and semi-quantify up to 2,266 suspect PFASs in each sample. Machine learning classifiers were used to identify PFASs that were diagnostic of each source type. Four C5-C7 perfluoroalkyl acids and one suspect PFAS (trihydrogen-substituted fluoroethernonanoic acid) were diagnostic of AFFF-GW. Two target PFASs (5:3 and 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acids) and two suspect PFASs (4:2 fluorotelomer-thia-acetic acid and N-methylperfluoropropane sulfonamido acetic acid) were diagnostic of landfill leachate. Biosolids leachates were best classified along with landfill leachates and N-methyl and N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid assisted in that classification. WWTP, pulp and paper, and power generation samples contained few target PFASs, but fipronil (a fluorinated insecticide) was diagnostic of WWTP samples. Our results provide PFAS fingerprints for known sources and identify target and suspect PFASs that can be used for source allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayantara T Joseph
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Trever Schwichtenberg
- Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Dunping Cao
- Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Gerrad D Jones
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Alix E Rodowa
- National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Morton A Barlaz
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Joseph A Charbonnet
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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33
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Beggs C, Mackie R, Vrana B, Prokeš R, Gorji SG, Schulze B, Thomas KV, Mueller JF, Kaserzon SL. Estimation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances mass loads in the Danube River using passive sampling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 892:164458. [PMID: 37247727 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
As Europe's second longest river, the Danube is an important water source for drinking water and irrigation for many countries, before discharging into the Black Sea in the East. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been observed over the last two decades in concentrations exceeding the European Union's drinking water guidelines for total sum of 20 select PFAS of 0.1 μg L-1. Their presence is a result of current and historical use and high environmental persistence, necessitating their monitoring for human risk assessments. The aim of this study is to use recently developed passive sampling technology to calculate time-integrated water concentrations and mass loads of 11 select PFAS at 9 sites along the Danube River. Results indicate ∑11 PFAS concentrations in the range of 9.3-29.6 ng L-1 were not in exceedance of EU drinking water guidelines, but perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was in exceedance of the environmental quality standard (0.65 ng L-1) at all sampling locations. The highest ∑11 PFAS mass loads were observed at Ruse (9.5 kg day-1) and Budapest (6.3 kg day-1), believed to be driven by proximity to industrial facilities and large populations (urban runoff). Finally, we estimate 4.9 kg of total PFAS (∑11 PFAS) were delivered to the Black Sea daily over Summer 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Beggs
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - Rachel Mackie
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Branislav Vrana
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Prokeš
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sara Ghorbani Gorji
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Bastian Schulze
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Sarit L Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
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34
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Shi Y, Almuhtaram H, Andrews RC. Adsorption of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Microcystins by Virgin and Weathered Microplastics in Freshwater Matrices. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3676. [PMID: 37765530 PMCID: PMC10535594 DOI: 10.3390/polym15183676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) both represent persistent groups of environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health risks. Microcystin toxins are produced and stored in the cells of cyanobacteria and may be released into sources of drinking water. Recent concerns have emerged regarding the ability of microplastics to adsorb a range of organic contaminants, including PFAS and microcystins. This study examined the adsorption of two long-chain and two short-chain PFAS, as well as two common microcystins, by both virgin and weathered microplastics in freshwater. Natural weathering of microplastic surfaces may decrease adsorption by introducing hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups. Up to 50% adsorption of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was observed for virgin PVC compared to 38% for weathered PVC. In contrast, adsorption capacities for microcystins by virgin LDPE were approximately 5.0 µg/g whereas no adsorption was observed following weathering. These results suggest that adsorption is driven by specific polymer types and dominated by hydrophobic interactions. This is the first known study to quantify PFAS and microcystins adsorption when considering environmentally relevant concentrations as well as weathered microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Husein Almuhtaram
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
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35
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Vitale DS, Reeves DM, Coffin ES, Link GW, Cassidy DP, Rochow SM. Long-duration monitoring and mass balance of PFAS at a wastewater treatment plant following the release of aqueous film-forming foam concentrate. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120268. [PMID: 37390657 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120268] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 760 liters (200 gallons) of first-generation, PFOS-dominant, Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate entered the sanitary sewer after an accidental release at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and migrated 11.4 km to the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant. Near-daily sampling of influent, effluent, and biosolids generated a high-frequency, long-duration dataset used to understand the transport and fate of accidental PFAS releases to wastewater treatment plants, identify AFFF concentrate composition, and perform a plant-wide PFOS mass balance. Monitored influent concentrations exhibited sharp PFOS declines after 7 days post-spill, yet effluent discharges remained elevated due to return activated sludge (RAS) recirculation, resulting in the exceedance of Michigan's Surface Water Quality Value for 46 days. Mass balance estimates indicate 1.292 kg PFOS entering the plant and 1.368 kg leaving. Effluent discharge and sorption to biosolids account for 55% and 45% of estimated PFOS outputs, respectively. Identification of AFFF formulation and reasonable agreement between computed influent mass and reported spill volume demonstrates effective isolation of the AFFF spill signal and increases confidence in the mass balance estimates. These findings and related considerations provide critical insight for performing PFAS mass balances and developing operational procedures for accidental spills that minimize PFAS releases to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan S Vitale
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Donald M Reeves
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA.
| | - Ethan S Coffin
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Garrett W Link
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Daniel P Cassidy
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Steven M Rochow
- Department of Public Service, City of Kalamazoo, 1415 Harrison Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA
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36
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Chen L, Xie Y, Li M, Mortimer M, Li F, Guo LH. Toxicological Mechanisms of Emerging Per-/poly-fluoroalkyl Substances: Focusing on Transcriptional Activity and Gene Expression Disruption. Toxicology 2023:153566. [PMID: 37263573 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and human monitoring studies have witnessed increasing occurrence of emerging per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (ePFASs) worldwide. Three classes of ePFASs, namely chlorinated polyfluoroalkylether sulfonic acids, hexafluoropropylene oxide homologues and short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids attracted the most attention. It is, therefore, the goal of this review to systematically and critically analyse the toxicity and toxicological mechanisms of these ePFASs based on the papers published between 2017 and 2022. The review summarized the main findings from both in vivo and in vitro studies, covering the hepatotoxicity of ePFASs and their interference with the endocrine system, including reproductive, developmental and thyroid toxicity. It also summarized the changes in gene expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis of the model organisms after ePFASs exposure. The changes in gene expression in vitro and in vivo provide a clearer understanding of the toxicological mechanisms of ePFASs interference on hormonal levels (i.e., estradiol, testosterone, and thyroid hormones), developmental disturbance (e.g., swim bladder dysfunction) and lipid metabolism disruption (e.g., lipid droplet accumulation and hepatomegaly). In the end, future research directions on the toxicological mechanisms of ePFASs are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China; Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, 168 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China.
| | - Yue Xie
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China; Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, 168 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China.
| | - Minjie Li
- College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China.
| | - Monika Mortimer
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, 168 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China; College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China.
| | - Fangfang Li
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, 168 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China; College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China.
| | - Liang-Hong Guo
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, 168 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China; College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310018, China.
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37
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Seay BA, Dasu K, MacGregor IC, Austin MP, Krile RT, Frank AJ, Fenton GA, Heiss DR, Williamson RJ, Buehler S. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances fate and transport at a wastewater treatment plant with a collocated sewage sludge incinerator. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162357. [PMID: 36858229 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162357] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to understand the fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inorganic fluoride (IF) at an undisclosed municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operating a sewage sludge incinerator (SSI). A robust statistical analysis characterized concentrations and mass flows at all WWTP and SSI primary influents/effluents, including thermal-treatment derived airborne emissions. WWTP-level net mass flows (NMFs) of total PFAS were not statistically different from zero. SSI-level NMFs indicate that PFAS, and specifically perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), are being broken down. The NMF of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs; -274 ± 34 mg/day) was statistically significant. The observed breakdown primarily occurred in the sewage sludge. However, the total PFAS destruction and removal efficiency of 51 % indicates the SSI may inadequately remove PFAS. The statistically significant IF source (NMF = 16 ± 4.2 kg/day) compared to the sink of PFAS as fluoride (NMF = -0.00036 kg/day) suggests that other fluorine-containing substances are breaking down in the SSI. WWTP PFAS mass discharges were primarily to the aquatic environment (>99 %), with <0.5 % emitted to the atmosphere/landfill. Emission rates for formerly phased-out PFOS and PFOA were compared to previously reported levels. Given the environmental persistence of these compounds, the observed decreases in PFOS and PFOA discharge rates from prior reports implies regional/local differences in emissions or possibly their accumulation elsewhere. PFAS were observed in stack gas emissions, but modestly contributed to NMFs and showed negligible contribution to ambient air concentrations observed downwind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brannon A Seay
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States.
| | - Kavitha Dasu
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Ian C MacGregor
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Matthew P Austin
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Robert T Krile
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Aaron J Frank
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - George A Fenton
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Derik R Heiss
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Rhett J Williamson
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Stephanie Buehler
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
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38
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Lv L, Liu B, Zhang B, Yu Y, Gao L, Ding L. A systematic review on distribution, sources and sorption of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in soil and their plant uptake. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116156. [PMID: 37196690 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous in environment, which have attracted increasing concerns in recent years. This study collected the data on PFAAs concentrations in 1042 soil samples from 15 countries and comprehensively reviewed the spatial distribution, sources, sorption mechanisms of PFAAs in soil and their plant uptake. PFAAs are widely detected in soils from many countries worldwide and their distribution is related to the emission of the fluorine-containing organic industry. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are found to be the predominant PFAAs in soil. Industrial emission is the main source of PFAAs contributing 49.9% of the total concentrations of PFAAs (Ʃ PFAAs) in soil, followed by activated sludge treated by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (19.9%) and irrigation of effluents from WWTPs, usage of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFFs) and leaching of leachate from landfill (30.2%). The adsorption of PFAAs by soil is mainly influenced by soil pH, ionic strength, soil organic matter and minerals. The concentrations of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in soil are negatively correlated with the length of carbon chain, log Kow, and log Koc. The carbon chain lengths of PFAAs are negatively correlated with the root-soil concentration factors (RCFs) and shoot-soil concentration factors (SCFs). The uptake of PFAAs by plant is influenced by physicochemical properties of PFAAs, plant physiology and soil environment. Further studies should be conducted to make up the inadequacy of existing knowledge on the behavior and fate of PFAAs in soil-plant system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyang Lv
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China
| | - Baolin Liu
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China.
| | - Bimi Zhang
- Food and Drug Engineering Institute, Jilin Province Economic Management Cadre College, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Lei Gao
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China
| | - Lingjie Ding
- College of Chemistry, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, China
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39
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Kumar R, Whelan A, Cannon P, Sheehan M, Reeves L, Antunes E. Occurrence of emerging contaminants in biosolids in northern Queensland, Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 330:121786. [PMID: 37156436 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify and quantify different classes of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals (HMs), polycyclic musks (PMs) in biosolids from different sewage treatment plants (STPs) from regional councils across Northern Queensland, Australia. Biosolids samples were named BS1 to BS7 for each council. The results revealed significant variations in the concentrations of different ECs in biosolids which could be explained in some instances by the characteristics of the upstream sewage network. For instance, BS4-biosolids from a small agricultural shire (largely sugarcane) showed the highest concentration of zinc and copper, which were 2430 and 1050 mg/kg, respectively. Among PPCPs, the concentration of ciprofloxacin was found to be the highest in BS3 and BS5, two large regional council areas which are a mix of domestic and industrial (predominantly domestic) biosolids of 1010 and 1590 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the quantity of sertraline was consistently high in all biosolids except from BS7, one of the smaller regional councils, which is indicative of the domestic catchments attached. PFAS compounds were detected in all biosolids samples except in BS6, one of the small (agricultural and tourist) catchments. Two PFAS compounds emerged as the most common pollutants that were perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). The largest industrial catchment biosolids, BS2 showed the highest concentration of PFOS at 253 ng/g, while the smallest regional council, BS7 showed the maximum concentration of 7.90 ng/g of PFOA. Overall, this study concludes that certain ECs such as HMs, antibiotics, PFOS and PFOA in biosolids may pose high environmental risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Anna Whelan
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; Townsville City Council, Wastewater Operations, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | | | - Madoc Sheehan
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Louise Reeves
- Queensland Water Directorate, Brisbane, QLD, 4009, Australia
| | - Elsa Antunes
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
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40
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Ye R, Di Lorenzo RA, Clouthier JT, Young CJ, VandenBoer TC. A Rapid Derivatization for Quantitation of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids from Aqueous Matrices by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2023; 95:7648-7655. [PMID: 37133404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Ultrashort-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are receiving more attention due to their ever-increasing presence in the environment. Methods have been established for the analysis of short- and long-chain PFCAs, while robust quantitation of ultrashort-chain species is scarce. Here, we develop a novel derivatization method using diphenyl diazomethane for quantitation of C2-C14 PFCAs in aqueous matrices. The method is highlighted by rapid completion of derivatization (<1 min) and retention and separation of ultrashort-chain (C2/C3) PFCA derivatives using H2 carrier gas (R > 1.5). A weak anion exchange solid-phase extraction procedure for analyte recovery from representative aqueous samples was developed and validated by spike and recovery from ultrapure water, synthetic ocean water, and simulated denuder extracts used for collecting gaseous PFCAs. Recoveries for PFCAs ranged from 83 to 130% for the majority of analytes and matrices. The instrument detection limits (IDLs) range from 8 to 220 fg per injection, and method detection limits (MDLs) range from 0.06 to 14.6 pg/mL for 500 mL aqueous samples, which are within an order of magnitude to conventional LC-MS/MS methods. The method was applied to the analysis of real samples of tap water, rainwater, ocean water, and annular denuder extracts. The overall method provides a cost-effective alternative to conventional LC-MS/MS methods, overcoming the typical GC-MS drawbacks of high detection limits and long sample preparation times while being able to simultaneously analyze the complete spectrum of environmentally relevant PFCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- RenXi Ye
- Department of Chemistry, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Robert A Di Lorenzo
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Jessica T Clouthier
- Department of Chemistry, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Cora J Young
- Department of Chemistry, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Trevor C VandenBoer
- Department of Chemistry, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
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41
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Ojemaye CY, Ojemaye MO, Okoh AI, Okoh OO. Evaluation of the research trends on perfluorinated compounds using bibliometric analysis: knowledge gap and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2023; 58:570-595. [PMID: 37128712 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2023.2203639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Detection of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the environment has been a global concern because of the risk they pose due to their endocrine-disruptive properties. This study analyzed the global trends and research productivity of PFCs from 1990 to 2021. A total number of 3256 articles on PFCs were retrieved from the Web of Science focusing on different environmental and biological matrices. An increase in the productivity of research on PFCs was observed during the survey period which indicates that more research and publications on this class of contaminants are expected in the future. Evaluating the most productive countries and the number of citations per country on PFCs research shows that China and the United States of America were ranked in first and second places. It was also observed that research on PFCs received the most attention from scientists in developed countries, with little research emerging from Africa. Hence, research on PFCs in developing countries, especially low-income countries should be promoted. Consequently, more research programs should be implemented to investigate PFCs in countries and regions where research on these contaminants is low. The study will help researchers, government agencies and policymakers to tailor future research, allocation of funds to PFCs research and countries' collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Y Ojemaye
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Mike O Ojemaye
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- SAMRC, Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Anthony I Okoh
- SAMRC, Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Department of Environmental health Sciences, College of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Omobola O Okoh
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- SAMRC, Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
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Schaefer CE, Hooper JL, Strom LE, Abusallout I, Dickenson ERV, Thompson KA, Mohan GR, Drennan D, Wu K, Guelfo JL. Occurrence of quantifiable and semi-quantifiable poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in united states wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119724. [PMID: 36801573 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Both quantifiable and semi-quantifiable poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were evaluated in the influent, effluent, and biosolids of 38 wastewater treatment plants. PFAS were detected in all streams at all facilities. For the means of the sums of detected, quantifiable PFAS concentrations were 98 ± 28 ng/L, 80 ± 24 ng/L, and 160,000 ± 46,000 ng/kg (dry weight basis) in the influent, effluent, and biosolids (respectively). In the aqueous influent and effluent streams this quantifiable PFAS mass was typically associated with perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). In contrast, quantifiable PFAS in the biosolids were primarily polyfluoroalkyl substances that potentially serve as precursors to the more recalcitrant PFAAs. Results of the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay on select influent and effluent samples showed that semi-quantified (or, unidentified) precursors accounted for a substantial portion (21 to 88%) of the fluorine mass compared to that associated with quantified PFAS, and that this fluorine precursor mass was not appreciably transformed to perfluoroalkyl acids within the WWTPs, as influent and effluent precursor concentrations via the TOP assay were statistically identical. Evaluation of semi-quantified PFAS, consistent with results of the TOP assay, showed the presence of several classes of precursors in the influent, effluent, and biosolids; perfluorophosphonic acids (PFPAs) and fluorotelomer phosphate diesters (di-PAPs) occurred in 100 and 92% of biosolid samples, respectively. Analysis of mass flows showed that, for both quantified (on a fluorine mass basis) and semi-quantified PFAS, the majority of PFAS exited WWTPs through the aqueous effluent compared to the biosolids stream. Overall, these results highlight the importance of semi-quantified PFAS precursors in WWTPs, and the need to further understand the impacts of their ultimate fate in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laurel E Strom
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, USA
| | | | - Eric R V Dickenson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 1299 Burkholder Blvd., Henderson, NV, 89015, USA
| | - Kyle A Thompson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 1299 Burkholder Blvd., Henderson, NV, 89015, USA; Carollo Engineers, 8911N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78759, USA
| | - Gayathri Ram Mohan
- Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Lawrenceville, GA 30045, USA
| | - Dina Drennan
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, USA
| | - Ke Wu
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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43
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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: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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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Petre VA, Chiriac FL, Lucaciu IE, Paun I, Pirvu F, Iancu VI, Novac L, Gheorghe S. Tissue Bioconcentration Pattern and Biotransformation of Per-Fluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Cyprinus carpio (European Carp)—An Extensive In Vivo Study. Foods 2023; 12:foods12071423. [PMID: 37048244 PMCID: PMC10093588 DOI: 10.3390/foods12071423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a persistent class of synthetic chemicals that spread in the environment as a result of industrialization. Due to their bioaccumulative and endocrine disruption implications, these chemicals can affect food quality and human health, respectively. In the present study, the bioconcentration and biotransformation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were evaluated in a biphasic system (exposure and depuration). Carp were continuously exposed, under laboratory conditions, to 10 (Experiment 1) and 100 (Experiment 2) µg/L PFOA for 14 weeks, followed by a wash out period of 3 weeks. Fish organs and tissues were collected at 8, 12, 14 weeks of exposure and at week 17, after the depuration period. The results obtained from the LC-MS/MS analysis showed the presence of PFOA in all studied organs. The highest values of PFOA were identified in the gallbladder (up to 2572 ng/g d.w.) in Experiment 1 and in the gallbladder (up to 18,640 ng/g d.w.) and kidneys (up to 13,581 ng/g d.w.) in Experiment 2. The average BCF varied between 13.4 and 158 L/Kg in Experiment 1 and between 5.97 and 80.3 L/Kg in Experiment 2. Four biotransformation products were identified and quantified in all organs, namely: PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, and PFHpA. PFBA was proven to be the dominant biotransformation product, with the highest values being determined after 8 weeks of exposure in the kidney, gallbladder, brain, liver, and gonads in both experiments. Because freshwater fish are an important food resource for the human diet, the present study showed the fishes’ capacity to accumulate perfluoroalkyl substances and their metabolites. The study revealed the necessity of monitoring and risk studies of new and modern synthetic chemicals in aquatic resources.
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45
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Manojkumar Y, Pilli S, Rao PV, Tyagi RD. Sources, occurrence and toxic effects of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 97:107174. [PMID: 36907230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cause potential threats to biota and are persistent and never-ending substances in the environment. Regulations and ban on legacy PFAS by various global organizations and national level regulatory agencies had shifted the fluorochemical production to emerging PFAS and fluorinated alternatives. Emerging PFAS are mobile and more persistent in aquatic systems, posing potential greater threats to human and environmental health. Emerging PFAS have been found in aquatic animals, rivers, food products, aqueous film-forming foams, sediments, and a variety of other ecological media. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties, sources, occurrence in biota and the environment, and toxicity of the emerging PFAS. Fluorinated and non-fluorinated alternatives for several industrial applications and consumer goods as the replacement of historical PFAS are also discussed in the review. Fluorochemical production plants and wastewater treatment plants are the main sources of emerging PFAS to various environmental matrices. Information and research are scarcely available on the sources, existence, transport, fate, and toxic effects of emerging PFAS to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Manojkumar
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, Telangana, India
| | - Sridhar Pilli
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, Telangana, India.
| | - P Venkateswara Rao
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, Telangana, India
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46
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Mu H, Wang J, Chen L, Hu H, Wang J, Gu C, Ren H, Wu B. Identification and characterization of diverse isomers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Chinese municipal wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119580. [PMID: 36638730 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Linear and branched isomers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are simultaneously present in the environment. However, isomer profiles of PFASs in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are still unknown because of the limitations of standards. Here, influent and effluent samples from 148 municipal WWTPs in China were collected. Ion mobility spectrometry was introduced into high-resolution mass spectrometry-based suspect screening methods to identify the target and suspect PFAS isomers. A total of 38 branched isomers of 14 typical PFASs were identified in wastewater samples. Linear PFASs had higher detection rates (22.3%-100%) than branched isomers (2.0%-98%). Compared to the influents, proportions of branched isomers of most PFASs (except for perfluoropentanoic acid and perfluorohexanoic acid) increased in the effluents. The conventional biological treatment processes (such as anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic and oxidation ditch treatments) had poor removal efficiency for linear PFASs (<21.4%) and branched isomers (<13.4%). No difference on removal efficiency among treatment processes was found. Furthermore, isomer composition in the WWTPs showed obvious differences between East China region and other regions, and the usage of short-chain PFASs (perfluorobutanesulfonic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid) may be a key factor for driving this difference. This study sheds lights on the identification and characterization of PFAS isomers in WWTPs, which would be useful for development of monitoring and control strategies of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Haidong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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47
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Nganda A, Kumar M, Uday V, Srivastava P, Deka BJ, Zitouni F, Mahlknecht J. EI/IOT of PFCs: Environmental impacts/interactions, occurrences, and toxicities of perfluorochemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 218:114707. [PMID: 36436554 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114707] [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: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Various studies have been conducted on the perfluorochemicals (PFCs) family over the years. These compounds have been sought in various industrial aspects involving the synthesis of everyday utilities due to their broad range of applications. As a result, PFCs have built up in the environment, causing concern. The presence of PFCs in various environmental media, such as terrestrial and marine settings, as well as the mechanisms of transport, bioaccumulation, and physio-chemical interactions of PFCs within plants, aquatic organisms, microplastics, and, ultimately, the human body, are discussed in this review, which draws on a variety of research publications. The interaction of PFCs with proteins, translocation, and adsorption by hydrophobic interactions were observed, and this had an impact on the natural functioning of biological processes, resulting in events such as phylogenic clustering, competitive inhibition, and many others, posing potential hazards to human health and other relevant organisms in the ecosystem. However, further research is needed to have a better knowledge of PFCs and their interactions so that low-cost treatments can be developed to eliminate them. It is therefore, future research should focus on the role of soil matrix as a defensive mechanism for PFCs, as well as the impact of PFC chain length rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armel Nganda
- Energy Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, 248007, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, 248007, India; Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico.
| | - Vismaya Uday
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, 248007, India
| | - Pankaj Srivastava
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, 248007, India
| | - Bhaskar Jyoti Deka
- Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India 247667
| | - Faiza Zitouni
- College of Engineering, Applied Science University (ASU), Bahrain
| | - Jurgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
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48
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Liu X, Huang X, Wei X, Zhi Y, Qian S, Li W, Yue D, Wang X. Occurrence and removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in leachates from incineration plants: A full-scale study. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137456. [PMID: 36470352 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid wastes (MSWs) contain diverse per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and these substances may leach into leachates, resulting in potential threats to the environment and human health. In this study, leachates from incineration plants with on-site treatment systems were measured for 17 PFAS species, including 13 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and 4 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs). PFAS were detected in all of the raw leachates and finished effluents in concentrations ranging from 7228 to 16,565 ng L-1 and 43 to 184 ng L-1, respectively, with a greater contribution from the short-chain PFAS and PFCAs. The results showed that the existing combined processes (biological treatment and membrane filtration) were effective in decreasing PFAS in the aqueous phase with removal efficiencies over 95%. In addition, correlation analysis suggested that physical entrapment, not biodegradation, was the main means of PFAS reduction in the treatment system. These results filled a gap in the understanding of PFAS occurrence and removal in leachates from incineration plants during the full-scale treatment processes, and demonstrated those leachates were previously under-explored sources of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Xingyao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wei
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Yue Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Shenhua Qian
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China; Department of Ecological Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China; Department of Ecological Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Dongbei Yue
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
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49
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Karbassiyazdi E, Kasula M, Modak S, Pala J, Kalantari M, Altaee A, Esfahani MR, Razmjou A. A juxtaposed review on adsorptive removal of PFAS by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with carbon-based materials, ion exchange resins, and polymer adsorbents. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 311:136933. [PMID: 36280122 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The removal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the aquatic environment is a universal concern due to the adverse effects of these substances on both the environment and public health. Different adsorbents, including carbon-based materials, ion exchange resins, biomaterials, and polymers, have been used for the removal of short-chain (C < 6) and long-chain (C > 7) PFAS from water with varying performance. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as a new generation of adsorbents, have also been recently used to remove PFAS from water. MOFs provide unique properties such as significantly enhanced surface area, structural tunability, and improved selectivity compared to conventional adsorbents. However, due to various types of MOFs, their complex chemistry and morphology, different PFAS compounds, lack of standard adsorption test, and different testing conditions, there are inconclusive and contradictory findings in the literature. Therefore, this review aims to provide critical analysis of the performance of different types of MOFs in the removal of long-chain (C > 7), short-chain (C < 6), and ultra-short-chain (C < 3) PFAS and comprehensively study the efficiency of MOFs for PFAS removal in comparison with other adsorbents. In addition, the adsorption mechanisms and kinetics of PFAS components on different MOFs, including Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL), Universiteit of Oslo (UiO), Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and other hybrid types of MOF were discussed. The study also discussed the effect of environmental factors such as pH and ionic strength on the adsorption of PFAS on MOFs. In addition to the adsorption process, the reusability and regeneration of MOFs in the PFAS removal process are discussed. Finally, challenges and future outlooks of the utility of MOFs for PFAS removal were discussed to inspire future critical research efforts in removing PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elika Karbassiyazdi
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Medha Kasula
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Alabama, USA
| | - Sweta Modak
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Alabama, USA
| | - Jasneet Pala
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Alabama, USA
| | - Mohammad Kalantari
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Ali Altaee
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Milad Rabbani Esfahani
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Alabama, USA.
| | - Amir Razmjou
- Mineral Recovery Research Center (MRRC), School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia; UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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50
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Meegoda JN, Bezerra de Souza B, Casarini MM, Kewalramani JA. A Review of PFAS Destruction Technologies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192416397. [PMID: 36554276 PMCID: PMC9778349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of highly toxic emerging contaminants that have caught the attention of both the public and private sectors due to their adverse health impacts on society. The scientific community has been laboriously working on two fronts: (1) adapting already existing and effective technologies in destroying organic contaminants for PFAS remediation and (2) developing new technologies to remediate PFAS. A common characteristic in both areas is the separation/removal of PFASs from other contaminants or media, followed by destruction. The widely adopted separation technologies can remove PFASs from being in contact with humans; however, they remain in the environment and continue to pose health risks. On the other hand, the destructive technologies discussed here can effectively destroy PFAS compounds and fully address society's urgent need to remediate this harmful family of chemical compounds. This review reports and compare widely accepted as well as emerging PFAS destruction technologies. Some of the technologies presented in this review are still under development at the lab scale, while others have already been tested in the field.
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