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Fang B, Chen H, Zhou Y, Qiao B, Baqar M, Wang Y, Yao Y, Sun H. Fluorotelomer betaines and sulfonic acid in aerobic wetland soil: Stability, biotransformation, and bacterial community response. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135261. [PMID: 39032178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The microbial degradation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA), fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), and fluorotelomer betaines (5:3 and 5:1:2 FTB) in aerobic wetland soil was investigated during a 100-day incubation. The half-lives of 6:2 FTSA in the treatments with diethylene glycol butyl ether as the sole carbon source (NA treatment) and with additional supplementation of sodium acetate (ED treatment) were determined to be 26.2 and 16.7 days, respectively. By day 100, ∼20 mol% of 6:2 FTAB was degraded in the NA and ED treatments. The potential transformation products of 6:2 FTSA and 6:2 FTAB were identified using liquid/gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, and their biotransformation pathways were proposed. In contrast, 5:3 and 5:1:2 FTB exhibited high persistence under two carbon source conditions. There was no intense alteration in the diversity of soil bacterial communities under the stress of fluorotelomer compounds at the level of ∼150 μg/L. The supplementation of sodium acetate led to an enrichment of bacterial species within the genera Hydrogenophaga (phylum Proteobacteria) and Rhodococcus (phylum Actinobacteria), promoting the biodegradation of 6:2 FTSA and 6:2 FTAB and the formation of transformation products. Species from the genus Rhodococcus were potentially crucial functional microorganisms involved in the degradation of 6:2 FTSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Yue Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Biting Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Mujtaba Baqar
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yu Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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Wang Y, Liu M, Vo Duy S, Munoz G, Sauvé S, Liu J. Fast analysis of short-chain and ultra-short-chain fluorinated organics in water by on-line extraction coupled to HPLC-HRMS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173682. [PMID: 38825196 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
A rapid on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (on-line SPE-LC-HRMS) method was developed to analyze 11 ultra-short and short-chain PFAS in surface water. Analytical optimization involved screening 7 chromatographic columns and 5 on-line SPE columns, as well as evaluating SPE loading conditions, filters, sample acidification, chromatographic mobile phases, and SPE loading mobile phases. The optimized method was then applied to 44 river water samples collected in Eastern Canada, including sites near airports with fire-training areas. Among the 11 targeted PFAS, the most frequently detected were trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, 4.6-220 ng/L), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, 0.85-33 ng/L), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA, 1.2-2100 ng/L), trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TMS, 0.01-4.3 ng/L), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS, 0.07-450 ng/L). Levels of C3-C5 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), C2-C4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) and n:3 polyfluoroalkyl acids (n = 2,3; n:3 acids) were significantly higher in water bodies near fire-training area sites compared with rivers in urban areas. In contrast, TFA, TMS, and 1:3 acid were not significantly elevated, likely reflecting atmospheric deposition or other diffuse sources for these compounds. Nontarget and suspect screening analysis revealed an abundance of other ultra-short and short-chain PFAS in AFFF-impacted water bodies. Perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASA, C2, C3, and C5), perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide propanoic acids (FASA-PrA, C1-C2) and n:3 acids (n = 1, 4, and 5) were detected for the first time in environmental surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada; Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada; Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada.
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Li M, Hu J, Cao X, Chen H, Lyu Y, Sun W. Nontarget Analysis Combined with TOP Assay Reveals a Significant Portion of Unknown PFAS Precursors in Firefighting Foams Currently Used in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39250774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Firefighting foam is a significant source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution, yet the PFAS profiles in foam formulations, particularly in China, remain unclear. Here, using target and nontarget analyses, we investigated 50 target PFAS in firefighting foams currently utilized in China, identified novel PFAS, and discovered new end products through a total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. We identified a total of 54 PFAS compounds (spanning 34 classes and containing seven novel PFAS) with total PFAS concentrations of 0.03-21.21 mM. Among seven novel PFAS, four PFAS met persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity criteria, and another PFAS had the highest ToxPi score among the identified 54 PFAS. Moreover, the predominant PFAS varied significantly in the studied foams and differed markedly from those used in other countries. After the TOP assay, nontarget analysis uncovered 1.1-55.5% more PFAS precursors and 8.25-55.5% more fluorine equivalents compared to traditional target analysis combined with TOP assay. Specifically, three double-bond perfluorinated alcohols were identified for the first time as end products of the TOP assay. This study provides crucial information for pollution control and risk assessment associated with PFAS in firefighting foam applications and emphasizes the importance of combining nontarget analysis with TOP assay in uncovering unknown PFAS precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhen Li
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China
| | - Jingrun Hu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Cao
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China
- Institute of Yellow River Delta Earth Surface Processes and Ecological Integrity, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Yitao Lyu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weiling Sun
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing 100871, China
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Glover CM, Pazoki F, Munoz G, Sauvé S, Liu J. Applying the modified UV-activated TOP assay to complex matrices impacted by aqueous film-forming foams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171292. [PMID: 38432371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large chemical family, and numerous chemical species can co-exist in environmental samples, especially those impacted by aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Given the limited availability of chemical standards, capturing the total amount of PFAS is challenging. Thus, the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay has been developed to estimate the total amount of PFAS via the oxidative conversion of precursors into perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs). This study aims to enhance the robustness of the TOP assay by replacing heat activation with UV activation. We evaluated the molar yields of known precursors in water in the presence of varying levels of Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) and in two soils. The impact of UV activation was also evaluated in two soils spiked with three well-characterized AFFFs, six AFFF-impacted field soils, and nine rinse samples of AFFF-impacted stainless-steel pipe. In the presence of 100 mg/L SNROM, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS), 8:2 FTS, and N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-EtFOSAA) in deionized water had good molar recovery as PFCAs (average of 102 ± 9.8 %); at 500 mg/L SNROM, the recovery significantly dropped to an average of 51 ± 19 %. In two soils (with 4 % and 8.8 % organic matter) with individual precursor spikes, the average molar recovery was 101 ± 9.4 %, except N-EtFOSAA, which had a reduced recovery in the soil with 8.8 % organic matter (OM). UV-activated assays outperformed heat-activated ones, especially in AFFF-impacted soils and pipe extract samples, with an average of 1.4-1.5× higher PFCA recovery. In almost all test samples, UV activation resulted in a notable shift towards longer PFCA chain lengths, particularly for samples with high OM content. The study confirmed the advantages of UV activation, including a significantly shortened exposure time (1 h vs. 6 h) and reduced matrix effects from OM due to the dual functions of UV in activating persulfate and photodegrading OM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Glover
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Faezeh Pazoki
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Département de chimie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Département de chimie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada.
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Fang B, Zhang Y, Chen H, Qiao B, Yu H, Zhao M, Gao M, Li X, Yao Y, Zhu L, Sun H. Stability and Biotransformation of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid, Sulfonamide Amine Oxide, and Sulfonamide Alkylbetaine in Aerobic Sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2446-2457. [PMID: 38178542 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide (6:2 FTSAm)-based compounds signify a prominent group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely used in contemporary aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations. Despite their widespread presence, the biotransformation behavior of these compounds in wastewater treatment plants remains uncertain. This study investigated the biotransformation of 6:2 FTSAm-based amine oxide (6:2 FTNO), alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA) in aerobic sludge over a 100-day incubation period. The biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylamine (6:2 FTAA), a primary intermediate product of 6:2 FTNO, was indirectly assessed. Their stability was ranked based on the estimated half-lives (t1/2): 6:2 FTAB (no obvious products were detected) ≫ 6:2 FTSA (t1/2 ≈28.8 days) > 6:2 FTAA (t1/2 ≈11.5 days) > 6:2 FTNO (t1/2 ≈1.2 days). Seven transformation products of 6:2 FTSA and 15 products of 6:2 FTNO were identified through nontarget and suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The transformation pathways of 6:2 FTNO and 6:2 FTSA in aerobic sludge were proposed. Interestingly, 6:2 FTSAm was hardly hydrolyzed to 6:2 FTSA and further biotransformed to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Furthermore, the novel pathways for the generation of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from 6:2 FTSA were revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yaozhi Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Biting Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Maosen Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Meng Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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