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Barisci S, Suri R. Degradation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using an electrochemical plug flow reactor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132419. [PMID: 37651931 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, shorter-chain fluorinated compounds have been manufactured as alternatives to legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) after a global ban on some long-chain PFAS. This study is the first to investigate the degradability of emerging PFAS by an electrochemical plug flow reactor (EPFR). Ten different emerging PFAS, representing classes of fluorotelomer alcohol, perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylate, polyfluoroalkyl ethersulfonic acids, perfluoroalkyl ether/polyether carboxylates, perfluoroether sulfonate, N-alkyl perfluoroalkylsulfonamido carboxylate, fluoroalkyl phosphonic acid, and perfluoro alkane sulfonamide were investigated. The process kinetics was performed. The degradation of parent compounds increased with increasing retention time (RT). At 45.2 min of RT, the degradation of parent compounds ranged between 68%-100% with a current density of 17.2 mA/cm2. A linear increase in pseudo-first order rate constants was observed for all PFAS with increasing current density from 5.7 to 28.7 mA/cm2 (R2 > 0.91). The effect of pH, natural organic matter, and bicarbonate on the degradation, defluorination, and fluorine mass balance are reported. Alkaline pH (11) caused a decrease in degradation for all PFAS. While the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) significantly decreased the degradation and defluorination processes, the presence of bicarbonate at all studied concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg/L) did not affect the process efficiency. The defluorination reduced to 34% from 81% with 15 mg/L NOM. The unknown/undetected fluorine fraction also increased in the presence of 15 mg/L NOM indicating the formation of NOM-PFAS complexes. Additionally, C2-C8 perfluoro carboxylic acids (PFCAs), one perfluoro sulfonic acid (PFSA), two H-PFCAs, and 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) were identified as degradation byproducts in suspect screening. The electrical energy per order for PFAS ranged between 1.8 and 19.4 kWh/m3. This study demonstrates that emerging types of PFAS can potentially be degraded using an EPFR with relatively low electrical energy requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibel Barisci
- Temple University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Water and Environmental Technology (WET) Center, 1947 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; Ege University, Bioengineering Department, Bornova, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Rominder Suri
- Temple University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Water and Environmental Technology (WET) Center, 1947 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.
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Shittu AR, Iwaloye OF, Ojewole AE, Rabiu AG, Amechi MO, Herve OF. The effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on environmental and human microorganisms and their potential for bioremediation. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2023; 74:167-178. [PMID: 37791672 PMCID: PMC10549896 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2023-74-3708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Utilised in a variety of consumer products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are major environmental contaminants that accumulate in living organisms due to their highly hydrophobic, lipophobic, heat-resistant, and non-biodegradable properties. This review summarizes their effects on microbial populations in soils, aquatic and biogeochemical systems, and the human microbiome. Specific microbes are insensitive to and even thrive with PFAS contamination, such as Escherichia coli and the Proteobacteria in soil and aquatic environments, while some bacterial species, such as Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi, are sensitive and drop in population. Some bacterial species, in turn, have shown success in PFAS bioremediation, such as Acidimicrobium sp. and Pseudomonas parafulva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adenike R. Shittu
- Bowling Green State University College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Opeoluwa F. Iwaloye
- Bowling Green State University College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Akinloye E. Ojewole
- Southern Illinois University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Edwardsville, IL, USA
| | - Akeem G. Rabiu
- University of Ibadan, Department of Microbiology, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Miracle O. Amechi
- University of Louisville, Department of Chemistry, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ouambo F. Herve
- Chantal Biya International Reference Centre, Laboratory of Vaccinology, Yaounde, Cameroon
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Dulsat-Masvidal M, Bertolero A, Mateo R, Lacorte S. Legacy and emerging contaminants in flamingos' chicks' blood from the Ebro Delta Natural Park. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 312:137205. [PMID: 36368533 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137205] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Ebro Delta is a wetland of international importance for waterbird conservation but severally affected by intensive agriculture, toxic waste discharges from a past chloro-alkali industry and affluence of tourism. The discharge of contaminants associated to these activities pose waterbirds breeding in the Ebro Delta at risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate the exposure of 91 emerging and legacy micropollutants in flamingo chicks (Phoenicopterus roseus), an emblematic species of the area. Fifty chicks of 45-60 days were captured, biometric parameters measured and whole blood collected. Compounds analyzed included perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pharmaceuticals, organophosphate esters (OPEs), in-use pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results indicate a multi-exposure of flamingo's chicks from a very young age. PFASs were the most ubiquitous compounds with ∑PFASs ranging from 9.34 to 576 ng/mL, being PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS detected in all samples. ∑PAHs ranged from 0.19 to 423 ng/mL, ∑PCBs from 0.5 to 15.6 ng/mL and ∑OCs from 1.35 to 37.8 ng/mL. Pharmaceuticals, OPEs and in-use pesticides were not detected. The flamingo's filtering behavior on mud and maternal ovo-transference are the more likely routes of exposure of organic micropollutants to flamingos' chicks. The reported levels of micropollutants were not associated with any alteration in the body condition of chicks. This is the first study to describe flamingos chicks' exposure to multiple contaminants, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring for wildlife conservation and biodiversity preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dulsat-Masvidal
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Bertolero
- Associació Ornitològica Picampall de les Terres de l'Ebre, Trinquet 8, 43580, Deltebre, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Tan X, Sawczyk M, Chang Y, Wang Y, Usman A, Fu C, Král P, Peng H, Zhang C, Whittaker AK. Revealing the Molecular-Level Interactions between Cationic Fluorinated Polymer Sorbents and the Major PFAS Pollutant PFOA. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Michał Sawczyk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Yixin Chang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yiqing Wang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Adil Usman
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Changkui Fu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Petr Král
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Hui Peng
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew K. Whittaker
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Hammarstrand S, Jakobsson K, Andersson E, Xu Y, Li Y, Olovsson M, Andersson EM. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and risk for polycystic ovarian syndrome, uterine leiomyoma, and endometriosis: A Swedish cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106819. [PMID: 34391986 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluorinated substances (PFAS) are chemicals with endocrine disruptive properties that may interfere with the female reproductive system. However, few studies have explored the association between benign gynecological diseases and high PFAS exposure. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations between PFAS exposure and subsequent diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), uterine leiomyoma (fibroids), and endometriosis in a cohort exposed to PFAS through drinking water. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2013, high levels (with sum of PFAS above 10,000 ng/L), dominated by perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), were found in the drinking water from one of the two waterworks in Ronneby, Sweden. The contamination came from firefighting foams used at a nearby airfield. Females of all ages (n = 29,106) who had ever resided in the municipality between 1985 and 2013 formed a cohort. Individual exposure was assessed based on municipality waterworks distribution data linked to annual residential address data; 27% of the females had ever lived at an address with PFAS-contaminated water. Gynecological health outcomes were retrieved from the Swedish National Patient Register. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the association between exposure and each diagnosis. RESULTS There were in all 161 cases of PCOS, 1,122 cases of uterine leiomyoma, and 373 cases of endometriosis. In women aged 20-50 years (n = 18,503), those with the highest estimated PFAS exposure had increased hazard ratios (HR) for PCOS (HR = 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43, 3.34) and uterine leiomyoma (HR = 1.28; 95% CI 0.95, 1.74). No increased HR for endometriosis was found (HR = 0.74; 95% CI 0.42, 1.29). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to high levels of PFAS in drinking water was associated with increased risk of PCOS and possibly uterine leiomyoma, but not endometriosis. The findings for PCOS are consistent with prior studies reporting positive associations between PCOS and PFAS exposure at background levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Hammarstrand
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Andersson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yiyi Xu
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Li
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva M Andersson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Wu JY, Gu L, Hua ZL, Liang ZY, Chu KJ, He XX. Per-, poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) pollution in benthic riverine ecosystem: Integrating microbial community coalescence and biogeochemistry with sediment distribution. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 281:130977. [PMID: 34289625 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Per-, Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) accumulation in benthic environments is mainly determined by material mixing and represents a significant challenge to river remediation. However, less attention has been paid to the effects of sediment distribution on PFASs accumulation, and how PFASs influence microbial community coalescence and biogeochemical processes. In order to identify correlations between PFASs distribution and benthic microbial community functions, we conducted a field study and quantified the ecological constrains of material transportation on benthic microorganisms. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) contributed most to the taxonomic heterogeneity of both archaeal (12.199%) and bacterial (13.675%) communities. Genera Methanoregula (R2 = 0.292) and Bacillus (R2 = 0.791) were identified as indicators that respond to PFASs. Phylogenetic null modeling indicated that deterministic processes (50.0-82.2%) dominated in spatial assembly of archaea, while stochasticity (94.4-97.8%) dominated in bacteria. Furthermore, spatial mixing of PFASs influenced broadly in nitrogen cycling of archaeal genomes, and phosphorus mineralization of bacterial genomes (p < 0.05). Overall, we quantified the effect of PFASs on community assembly and highlighted the constrains of PFASs influence on benthic geochemical potentials, which may provide new insights into riverine remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Yi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Jiangsu, 210098, China
| | - Li Gu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Jiangsu, 210098, China.
| | - Zu-Lin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Jiangsu, 210098, China
| | - Zhong-Yan Liang
- Nanjing Guohuan Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210001, China
| | - Ke-Jian Chu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Xin-Xin He
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
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7
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Minuz P, De Toni L, Dall'Acqua S, Di Nisio A, Sabovic I, Castelli M, Meneguzzi A, Foresta C. Interference of C6O4 on platelet aggregation pathways: Cues on the new-generation of perfluoro-alkyl substance. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 154:106584. [PMID: 33895438 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health concerns associated with the exposure to legacy perfluoro-alkyl substances (PFAS) led to the development of new-generation PFAS, such as C6O4. Here we investigated the possible effects of C6O4 on the platelet's activation profile, by incubating human platelets from healthy donors with C6O4 at different concentrations and evaluating the effects on activation, production and phenotype of platelets micro-particles (MPV) and aggregation under-flow. Based on the eventual platelet pro-aggregation profile detected, the preventive effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was also explored. METHODS Adhesion-induced platelet aggregation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) under flow was evaluated on collagen-coated microchip at a shear stress of 10 Dyne. The turbidimetric method was used to investigate platelet aggregation. Finally, the in vitro generation of pro-coagulant MPV in PRP was evaluated by flow cytometry, as characterized by CD41 and annexin V positive events, under resting conditions and after stimulation with agonists at low shear stress. RESULTS The generation of platelet aggregates under flow was significantly increased by the pretreatment of PRP with 100-200 ng/mL C6O4, compared to both the control condition and the experiment performed in presence of ASA. Arachidonic acid (AA), ADP and collagen induced an higher maximal aggregation, at turbidimetric evaluation, when PRP was pretreated with 100-500 ng/mL C6O4. In addition, PRP stimulated with AA also showed a steeper slope of the aggregation curve. The aggregation induced by the tested agonists was almost abolished by ASA. Finally, pretreatment with C6O4 increased the number of MPV in resting conditions and in presence of ADP and TRAP. ASA tended to reduce MPV generation. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to C6O4 associates with an increased platelet response to agonists, translating into a possible increased risk of cardiovascular events. Pending a further clarification on the toxicokinetics of this compound, our results claim the possible prophylactic use of ASA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Minuz
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine C, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine and Unit of Andrology and Reproduction Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine and Unit of Andrology and Reproduction Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Iva Sabovic
- Department of Medicine and Unit of Andrology and Reproduction Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Castelli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine C, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Meneguzzi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine C, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine and Unit of Andrology and Reproduction Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Marchiandi J, Szabo D, Dagnino S, Green MP, Clarke BO. Occurrence and fate of legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in freshwater after an industrial fire of unknown chemical stockpiles. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 278:116839. [PMID: 33740602 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An industrial warehouse illegally storing a large quantity of unknown chemical and industrial waste ignited in an urban area in Melbourne, Australia. The multiday fire required firefighters to use large amounts of fluorine-free foam that carried contaminated firewater runoff into an adjacent freshwater creek. In this study, the occurrence and fate of 42 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) was determined from triplicate surface water samples (n = 45) from five locations (upstream, point-source, downstream; 8 km) over three sampling campaigns from 2018 to 2020. Out of the 42 target PFASs, perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs: C4-C14), perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs: C4-C10), and perfluoroalkyl acid precursors (e.g. 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA)) were ubiquitously detected in surface waters (concentration ranges: <0.7-3000 ng/L). A significant difference in ΣPFAS concentration was observed at the point-source (mean 5500 ng/L; 95% CI: 4800, 6300) relative to upstream sites (mean 100 ng/L; 95% CI: 90, 110; p ≤ 0.001). The point-source ΣPFAS concentration decreased from 5500 ± 1200 ng/L to 960 ± 42 ng/L (-83%) after two months and to 430 ± 15 ng/L (-98%) two years later. 6:2 FTSA and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) dominated in surface water, representing on average 31% and 20% of the ΣPFAS, respectively. Emerging PFASs including a cyclic perfluoroalkanesulfonate (PFECHS) and a C4 perfluoroalkane sulfonamide (FBSA) were repeatedly present in surface water (concentration ranges <0.3-77 ng/L). According to the updated Australian PFAS guidelines for ecological conservation, the water samples collected at the time of monitoring may have posed a short-term risk to aquatic organisms in regard to PFOS levels. These results illustrate that acute high dose exposure to PFASs can result from industrial fires at sites storing or stockpiling PFAS-based waste products. Continued monitoring will be crucial to evaluate potential long-term risk to wildlife in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaye Marchiandi
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Drew Szabo
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sonia Dagnino
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- School of Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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9
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Ahmed MB, Johir MAH, McLaughlan R, Nguyen LN, Xu B, Nghiem LD. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil and sediments: Occurrence, fate, remediation and future outlook. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141251. [PMID: 32805564 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are contaminants of great concern due to their wide-spread occurrence and persistence in the environments (i.e., in water, soil and sediment) and potential toxicology even at very low concentration. The main focus of this review is on the PFASs in soil and sediments. More specifically, this review systematically examines the occurrence and toxicological effects with associated risks, fate (i.e., PFASs adsorption by soil and sediment, transportation and transformation, and bioaccumulation), and remediation practices of PFASs in soil and sediment. Various models and equations such as fugacity-based multimedia fate and hydrodynamic models are used to study the fate, transport, and transformation of PFASs. Among different remediation practices, sorption is the dominant process for the removal of PFASs from soil and sediments. Results also indicate that PFASs adsorption onto activated carbon decrease with the increase of carbon chain length in the PFASs. The longer-chain PFASs have larger partition coefficient values than shorter-chained PFASs. Sorption of PFASs to soil and sediments are mainly governed by different electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds formation, hydrophobic interactions, organic content in soil and sediments, and ligand exchange. Other technology such as thermal treatment might be potential in the removal of PAFSs, but need further study to elucidate a conclusion. Finally, the associated challenges and future outlook have been included.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Ahmed
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - M A H Johir
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Robert McLaughlan
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Luong N Nguyen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bentuo Xu
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Long D Nghiem
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
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10
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Liu C, Hatton J, Arnold WA, Simcik MF, Pennell KD. In Situ Sequestration of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Using Polymer-Stabilized Powdered Activated Carbon. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:6929-6936. [PMID: 32379438 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Remediation of groundwater impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is particularly challenging due to the resistance of the molecule to oxidation because of the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond and the need to achieve low nanogram per liter drinking water targets. Previous studies have shown that activated carbon is an effective sorbent for removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in conventional water treatment systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in situ delivery and sorptive capacity of an aqueous suspension containing powdered activated carbon (PAC) stabilized with polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC). Batch reactor studies demonstrated substantial adsorption of PFOA and PFOS by polyDADMAC-stabilized PAC, which yielded Freundlich adsorption coefficients of 156 and 629 L/g-n, respectively. In columns packed with 40-50 mesh Ottawa sand, injection of a PAC (1000 mg/L) + polyDADMAC (5000 mg/L) suspension created a sorptive region that increased subsequent PFOA and PFOS retention by 3 orders of magnitude relative to untreated control columns, consistent with the mass of retained PAC. Experiments conducted in a heterogeneous aquifer cell further demonstrated the potential for stabilized-PAC to be an effective in situ treatment option for PFAS-impacted groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - James Hatton
- Jacobs Engineering Group, Incorporated, Englewood, Colorado 80112, United States
| | - William A Arnold
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Matt F Simcik
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
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Sammut G, Sinagra E, Sapiano M, Helmus R, de Voogt P. Perfluoroalkyl substances in the Maltese environment - (II) sediments, soils and groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 682:180-189. [PMID: 31121344 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in sediments and groundwater on the Maltese Islands is reported here for the first time. Sediments and soil samples were collected from 24 sites and groundwater was collected from 10 boreholes. PFASs were extracted from water and solid samples using solid phase extraction. The extracts were then analysed using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem (UPLC-MS/MS). All sediment, soil and groundwater samples were contaminated with at least one PFAS. PFOS (<LOQ - 5.91 ng/g), PFOA (<LOQ - 0.58 ng/g) and PFDA (<LOQ - 1.05 ng/g) were the major PFASs being detected in 100% of the sediment and soil samples. Meanwhile PFOA (<LOD - 2.68 ng/L) was the PFAS detected in all groundwater samples. The concentrations of PFASs observed in groundwater on the Maltese Islands were below the parameters set by the Directive 98/83/EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sammut
- Department of Chemistry, University of Malta, Malta
| | - E Sinagra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Malta, Malta.
| | | | - R Helmus
- IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - P de Voogt
- IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; KWR, Watercycle Research Institute, Nieuwegein, Netherlands
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Dauchy X, Boiteux V, Colin A, Bach C, Rosin C, Munoz JF. Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Runoff Water and Wastewater Sampled at a Firefighter Training Area. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 76:206-215. [PMID: 30515647 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-018-0585-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are key ingredients of firefighting foams designed to suppress fires involving flammable and combustible liquids. Such foams are used by firefighters during fire training at dedicated sites. Because PFASs are very persistent chemicals, substantial soil and groundwater contamination has been observed in the vicinity of firefighter training areas. However, very few data are available on PFAS contamination of wastewater and runoff water on such sites. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of more than 50 PFASs in 43 water samples (effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), lagoon, runoff water, and wastewater drained from firefighter training areas) collected from a large firefighter training site, using target and suspect screening. A comparison of the PFAS classes analyzed revealed the overwhelming contribution of fluorotelomers. This indicates that the PFAS emission from the use of firefighting foams cannot be monitored only by measuring perfluoroalkyl acids. Based on the PFAS concentrations measured through target screening, the PFAS mass discharged into the river receiving WWTP effluent and the lagoon was on average 387 ± 183 kg and 56 ± 15 kg per year respectively. Due to the unavailability of standards, it was impossible to take into account the PFASs detected with suspect screening. The present study emphasizes that, above and beyond soil and groundwater contamination, such sites also contribute to the PFAS burden of surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Dauchy
- Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, ANSES, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54000, Nancy, France.
| | - Virginie Boiteux
- Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, ANSES, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Adeline Colin
- Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, ANSES, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Cristina Bach
- Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, ANSES, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Christophe Rosin
- Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, ANSES, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Jean-François Munoz
- Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, ANSES, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54000, Nancy, France
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