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Rasmusson K, Fagerlund F. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as contaminants in groundwater resources - A comprehensive review of subsurface transport processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142663. [PMID: 38908440 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants in the environment. An increased awareness of adverse health effects related to PFAS has further led to stricter regulations for several of these substances in e.g. drinking water in many countries. Groundwater constitutes an important source of raw water for drinking water production. A thorough understanding of PFAS subsurface fate and transport mechanisms leading to contamination of groundwater resources is therefore essential for management of raw water resources. A review of scientific literature on the subject of processes affecting subsurface PFAS fate and transport was carried out. This article compiles the current knowledge of such processes, mainly focusing on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), in soil- and groundwater systems. Further, a compilation of data on transport parameters such as solubility and distribution coefficients, as well as, insight gained and conclusions drawn from the reviewed material are presented. As the use of certain fire-fighting foams has been identified as the major source of groundwater contamination in many countries, research related to this type of pollution source has been given extra focus. Uptake of PFAS in biota is outside the scope of this review. The review showed a large spread in the magnitude of distribution coefficients and solubility for individual PFAS. Also, it is clear that the influence of multiple factors makes site-specific evaluation of distribution coefficients valuable. This article aims at giving the reader a comprehensive overview of the subject, and providing a base for further work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Rasmusson
- Uppsala Water and Waste AB, Virdings allé 32B, SE-75450, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Fritjof Fagerlund
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Villavägen 16, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden
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2
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Ramos P, Ashworth DJ. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in agricultural contexts and mitigation of their impacts using biochar: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172275. [PMID: 38583608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172275] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Growing concern over the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agricultural compartments (e.g., soil, water, plants, soil fauna) has led to an increased interest in scalable and economically feasible remediation technologies. Biochar is the product of pyrolyzing organic materials (crop waste, wood waste, manures, grasses) and has been used as a low-cost adsorbent to remove contaminants including PFAS. This review frames biochar as a strategy for mitigating the detrimental impacts of PFAS in agricultural systems and discusses the benefits of this strategy within the framework of the needs and challenges of contaminant remediation in agriculture. To gauge the optimal physicochemical characteristics of biochar in terms of PFAS adsorption, principal component analysis using >100 data points from the available literature was performed. The main biochar-based PFAS treatment strategies (water filtration, soil application, mixing with biosolids) were also reviewed to highlight the benefits and complications of each. Life cycle analyses on the use of biochar for contaminant removal were summarized, and data from selected studies were used to calculate (for the first time) the global warming potential and net energy demand of various agriculturally important biochar classes (crop wastes, wood wastes, manures) in relation to their PFAS adsorption performance. This review serves to identify key gaps in our knowledge of (i) PFAS adsorption by biochars in agricultural remediation applications and (ii) environmental costs/benefits of biochars in relation to their adsorptive properties toward PFAS. The concepts introduced in this review may assist in developing large-scale biochar-based PFAS remediation strategies to help protect the agricultural food production environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Ramos
- USDA-ARS, United States Salinity Laboratory, 450 W. Big Springs Rd, Riverside, CA 92507, United States of America
| | - Daniel J Ashworth
- USDA-ARS, United States Salinity Laboratory, 450 W. Big Springs Rd, Riverside, CA 92507, United States of America.
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3
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Peter L, Modiri-Gharehveran M, Alvarez-Campos O, Evanylo GK, Lee LS. PFAS fate using lysimeters during degraded soil reclamation using biosolids. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2024. [PMID: 38816342 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Carbon- and nutrient-rich biosolids are used in agriculture and land reclamation. However, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) typically present in biosolids raise concerns of PFAS leaching to groundwater and plant uptake. Here, we investigated PFAS persistence and leaching from biosolids applied to a site constructed artificially to mimic degraded soils. Treatments included biosolids and biosolids blended with mulch applied at different rates to attain either one and five times the agronomic N rate for vegetable crops and a control treatment with synthetic urea and triple superphosphate fertilizer. Leachates were collected for a 2-year period from 15-cm depth zero-tension drainage lysimeters. Soils were analyzed post biosolids application. PFAS were quantified using isotope-dilution, solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Leachate profiles exemplified an initial high total PFAS concentration, followed by a sharp decline and subsequent small fluctuations attributed to pre-existing soil conditions and rainfall patterns. Quantifiable PFAS in leachate were proportional to biosolids application rates. Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (CF2 < 6) were dominant in leachate, while the percentage of longer chains homologues was higher in soils. A 43% biosolids blend with mulch resulted in 21% lower PFAS leachate concentrations even with the blend application rate being 1.5 times higher than biosolids due to the blend's lower N-content. The blending effect was more pronounced for long-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids that have a greater retention by soils and the air-water interface. Biosolids blending as a pragmatic strategy for reducing PFAS leachate concentrations may aid in the sustainable beneficial reuse of biosolids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Peter
- Department of Agronomy, Ecological Sciences & Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Mahsa Modiri-Gharehveran
- Environmental & Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC, Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
| | - Odiney Alvarez-Campos
- USAID, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Gregory K Evanylo
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Linda S Lee
- Department of Agronomy, Ecological Sciences & Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Environmental & Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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4
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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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5
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Feng G, Zhou B, Yuan R, Luo S, Gai N, Chen H. Influence of soil composition and environmental factors on the adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171785. [PMID: 38508244 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171785] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have garnered considerable scientific and regulatory scrutiny due to their widespread distribution across environments and their potential toxicological impacts on human health. The pedosphere serves as a vital reservoir for these chemicals, significantly determining their environmental trajectory and chemical transformations. This study offers a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding regarding the adsorption mechanics of PFASs in soil matrices. Due to their unique molecular structure, PFASs predominantly engage in hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions during soil adsorption. This work thoroughly evaluates the influence of various factors on adsorption efficiency, including soil properties, molecular characteristics of PFASs, and the prevailing environmental conditions. The complex nature of soil environments complicates isolating individual impacts on PFAS behavior, necessitating an integrated approach to understanding their environmental destinies better. Through this exploration, we seek to clarify the complex interplay of factors that modulate the adsorption of PFASs in soils, highlighting the urgent need for future research to disentangle the intricate and combined effects that control the environmental behavior of PFAS compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-geochemistry, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, National Research Center for Geo-analysis (NRCGA), Beijing 100037, China
| | - Beihai Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Rongfang Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shuai Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Nan Gai
- Key Laboratory of Eco-geochemistry, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, National Research Center for Geo-analysis (NRCGA), Beijing 100037, China.
| | - Huilun Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
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Ding D, Chen Y, Li X, Chen Q, Kong L, Ying R, Wang L, Wei J, Jiang D, Deng S. Can we redevelop ammonia nitrogen contaminated sites without remediation? The key role of subsurface pH in human health risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133630. [PMID: 38330643 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133630] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen fertilizer supports global food production, but its manufacturing results in substantial ammonia nitrogen (AN) contaminated sites which remain largely unexplored. In this study, ten representative AN contaminated sites were investigated, covering a wide range of subsurface pH, temperature, and AN concentration. A total of 7232 soil samples and 392 groundwater samples were collected to determine the concentration levels, migration patterns, and accurate health risks of AN. The results indicated that AN concentrations in soil and groundwater reached 12700 mg/kg and 12600 mg/L, respectively. AN concentrations were higher in production areas than in non-production areas, and tended to migrate downward from surface to deeper soil. Conventional risk assessment based on AN concentration identified seven out of the ten sites presenting unacceptable risks, with remediation costs and CO2 emissions amounting to $1.67 million and 17553.7 tons, respectively. A novel risk assessment model was developed, which calculated risks based on multiplying AN concentration by a coefficient fNH3 (the ratio of NH3 to AN concentration). The mean fNH3 values, primarily affected by subsurface pH, varied between 0.02 and 0.25 across the ten sites. This new model suggested all investigated sites posed acceptable health risks related to AN exposure, leading to their redevelopment without AN-specific remediation. This research offers a thorough insight into AN contaminated site, holds great realistic significance in alleviating global economic and climate pressures, and highlights the need for future research on refined health risk assessments for more contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Ding
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Yun Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Xuwei Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Lingya Kong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Rongrong Ying
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Jing Wei
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Dengdeng Jiang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China.
| | - Shaopo Deng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China.
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7
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Zheng J, Mittal K, Fobil JN, Basu N, Bayen S. Simultaneous targeted and non-targeted analysis of plastic-related contaminants in e-waste impacted soil in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170219. [PMID: 38266721 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170219] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
An LC-MS based analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous targeted analysis and suspect screening of plastic-related contaminants in e-waste impacted soils. Satisfactory recoveries (97 ± 13 %) were achieved using ultrasound-assisted extraction for 14/15 of the targeted analytes (7 bisphenols and 8 plasticizers) in a range of agricultural and non-agricultural soils. The method was applied to 53 soil samples collected in May 2015 in the region of Agbogbloshie (Ghana) at e-waste facilities (incl. Dump, trade, and burn sites), neighboring non-agricultural (incl. upstream, downstream, and community) and agricultural fields, and at two control agricultural sites away from e-waste recycling facilities. Bisphenol A (BPA) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the two dominant contaminants in e-waste soil (with concentrations up to 48.7 and 184 μg g-1, respectively), especially at the trade site, where e-waste was sorted and dismantled. The non-targeted workflow was successfully applied to identify additional plastic-related contaminants previously unreported in e-waste impacted soils, including bis(2-propylheptyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, 4-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, diphenyl phosphate, and triethylene glycol monobutyl ether. The agricultural soils surrounding the e-waste sites were also contaminated by plastic-related chemicals (especially DEHP), highlighting the impact of e-waste activities on the surrounding agricultural system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Zheng
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X3V9, Canada
| | - Krittika Mittal
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X3V9, Canada
| | - Julius N Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana; West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X3V9, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X3V9, Canada.
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Masinga P, Simbanegavi TT, Makuvara Z, Marumure J, Chaukura N, Gwenzi W. Emerging organic contaminants in the soil-plant-receptor continuum: transport, fate, health risks, and removal mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:367. [PMID: 38488937 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12282-7] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
There is a lack of comprehensive reviews tracking emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) within the soil-plant continuum using the source-pathway-receptor-impact-mitigation (SPRIM) framework. Therefore, this review examines existing literature to gain insights into the occurrence, behaviour, fate, health hazards, and strategies for mitigating EOCs within the soil-plant system. EOCs identified in the soil-plant system encompass endocrine-disrupting chemicals, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, plasticizers, gasoline additives, flame retardants, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Sources of EOCs in the soil-plant system include the land application of biosolids, wastewater, and solid wastes rich in EOCs. However, less-studied sources encompass plastics and atmospheric deposition. EOCs are transported from their sources to the soil-plant system and other receptors through human activities, wind-driven processes, and hydrological pathways. The behaviour, persistence, and fate of EOCs within the soil-plant system are discussed, including sorption, degradation, phase partitioning, (bio)transformation, biouptake, translocation, and bioaccumulation in plants. Factors governing the behaviour, persistence, and fate of EOCs in the soil-plant system include pH, redox potential, texture, temperature, and soil organic matter content. The review also discusses the environmental receptors of EOCs, including their exchange with other environmental compartments (aquatic and atmospheric), and interactions with soil organisms. The ecological health risks, human exposure via inhalation of particulate matter and consumption of contaminated food, and hazards associated with various EOCs in the soil-plant system are discussed. Various mitigation measures including removal technologies of EOCs in the soil are discussed. Finally, future research directions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Privilege Masinga
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, P. O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tinoziva T Simbanegavi
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, P. O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Zakio Makuvara
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jerikias Marumure
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nhamo Chaukura
- Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, 8301, South Africa
| | - Willis Gwenzi
- Biosystems and Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Marlborough, Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Marlborough, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Bui TH, Zuverza-Mena N, Dimkpa CO, Nason SL, Thomas S, White JC. PFAS remediation in soil: An evaluation of carbon-based materials for contaminant sequestration. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123335. [PMID: 38211874 PMCID: PMC10922530 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123335] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils is a global concern as these emerging contaminants are highly resistant to degradation and cause adverse effects on human and environmental health at very low concentrations. Sequestering PFAS in soils using carbon-based materials is a low-cost and effective strategy to minimize pollutant bioavailability and exposure, and may offer potential long-term remediation of PFAS in the environment. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of current insights on sequestration of PFAS in soil using carbon-based sorbents. Hydrophobic effects originating from fluorinated carbon (C-F) backbone "tail" and electrostatic interactions deriving from functional groups on the molecules' "head" are the two driving forces governing PFAS sorption. Consequently, varying C-F chain lengths and polar functional groups significantly alter PFAS availability and leachability. Furthermore, matrix parameters such as soil organic matter, inorganic minerals, and pH significantly impact PFAS sequestration by sorbent amendments. Materials such as activated carbon, biochar, carbon nanotubes, and their composites are the primary C-based materials used for PFAS adsorption. Importantly, modifying the carbon structural and surface chemistry is essential for increasing the active sorption sites and for strengthening interactions with PFAS. This review evaluates current literature, identifies knowledge gaps in current remediation technologies and addresses future strategies on the sequestration of PFAS in contaminated soil using sustainable novel C-based sorbents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trung Huu Bui
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Nubia Zuverza-Mena
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Christian O Dimkpa
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Sara Thomas
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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10
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Currell M, Northby N, Netherway P. Examining changes in groundwater PFAS contamination from legacy landfills over a three-year period at Australia's largest urban renewal site. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141345. [PMID: 38307330 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141345] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Understanding groundwater contamination from legacy landfills, including fate and transport of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is a critical challenge for sustainable urban renewal. We analysed groundwater within and surrounding legacy landfills at Fishermans Bend for PFAS and complementary hydrochemical indicators. Sampling in 2017 revealed extensive PFAS contamination from the landfills. We re-examined concentrations after a 3-year period, to assess natural source attenuation and evolution of the contaminant plumes. Total PFAS (∑38PFAS) ranged from 88 to 973 ng/L, with relatively high concentrations (mean = 500 ng/L, n = 4) in samples directly within the waste mass of a large legacy municipal and industrial landfill (Port Melbourne Tip). Two samples on the boundary of a former construction and demolition waste landfill also had elevated PFAS concentrations (∑38PFAS = 232 and 761.5 ng/L). Down-gradient of the landfills, groundwater showed reductions in total PFAS, though still maintained considerable loads (∑PFAS = 107.5-207.5 ng/L). Long-chained PFAS showed greatest reductions relative to chloride concentrations down-gradient of the landfills, consistent with sorption as the predominant removal mechanism. The dominant mass fractions detected were similar in 2017 and 2020 (median: PFOS > PFHxS > PFHxA > PFOA); comprising the widely known, persistent 'legacy' PFAS. Re-sampled bores returned similar concentrations of these PFAS in 2017 and 2020 (median %RPDs of 0.0, 9.3 and 15.4, for PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, respectively). However, there were marked increases in concentrations of certain PFAS in three bores - including a previously un-impacted background site. The results show limited attenuation of legacy landfill PFAS contamination in groundwater over a 3-year period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Currell
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia; School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nathan Northby
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia; Geosyntec Consultants, Australia
| | - Pacian Netherway
- EPA Science, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Macleod 3085 VIC, Australia
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11
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Wells MR, Coggan TL, Stevenson G, Singh N, Askeland M, Lea MA, Philips A, Carver S. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in little penguins and associations with urbanisation and health parameters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169084. [PMID: 38056658 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169084] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly detected in wildlife and present concerning and unknown health risks. While there is a growing body of literature describing PFAS in seabird species, knowledge from temperate Southern Hemisphere regions is lacking. Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) can nest and forage within heavily urbanised coastal environments and hence may be at risk of exposure to pollutants. We analysed scat contaminated nesting soils (n = 50) from 17 colonies in lutruwita/Tasmania for 16 PFAS, plasma samples (n = 45) from nine colonies, and three eggs for 49 PFAS. We detected 14 PFAS across the sample types, with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) most commonly detected. Mean concentration of PFOS in plasma was 2.56 ± 4.3 ng/mL (
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R Wells
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia; Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point 7004, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Timothy L Coggan
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, 200 Victoria Street, Carlton 3053, Victoria, Australia; ADE Consulting Group, U 4/95 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne 3207, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gavin Stevenson
- Australian Ultra-Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, North Ryde 2113, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Navneet Singh
- ADE Consulting Group, U 4/95 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne 3207, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Askeland
- ADE Consulting Group, U 4/95 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne 3207, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mary-Anne Lea
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point 7004, Tasmania, Australia; Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Annie Philips
- Wildlife Veterinary Consultant, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, GA, USA 30602; Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, GA, USA 30602
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12
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Biao YW, Xu JY, Chen WR. Factors affecting the occurrence and accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids in indoor dust in Tainan, Taiwan. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140882. [PMID: 38072200 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140882] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are environmentally and biologically persistent chemicals. In this study, we investigated the concentrations of six PFAAs in dust samples collected from different indoor environments in a college campus in Tainan, Taiwan, and assessed the health risk of PFAAs exposure to college students. We also analyzed the effects of dust characteristics (total organic carbon, moisture content, and dust content) on PFAAs levels. With regard to the space type, the median of total PFAAs concentrations were in the order of laboratories (528.9 μg kg-1) > offices (304.2 μg kg-1) > dormitories (180.1 μg kg-1) > classrooms (105.1 μg kg-1). With regard to the height from the ground, the median total PFAAs concentrations were in the order of dust near the floors (>2 m; 383.6 μg kg-1) > near the ceiling (0-2 m; 202.5 μg kg-1) > on the ground (0 m; 145.6 μg kg-1). The main species of PFAAs, perfluorooctane sulfonate and short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, accounted for respectively 30%-60% and ∼20%-37% of total PFAAs pollution in the indoor space types and sampling heights under consideration. The average daily intake (ADI) values of six PFAAs for college students were found to be 0.059-0.126 ng kg-1 BW day-1 (BW: body weight), with dormitories and workplaces (i.e., laboratories and offices) accounting for over 40% and ∼50% of the ADI, respectively. The estimated hazard quotient ranged from 0.0029 to 0.0063, three orders of magnitude lower than 1, suggesting relatively low risks for college students exposed to the six PFAAs monitored in indoor dust. The analysis of dust characteristics revealed that total organic carbon did not have a significant effect on PFAAs levels as we expected. In contrast, dust moisture and cation content dominated PFAAs accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Biao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, 701, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ya Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, 701, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ru Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, 701, Taiwan.
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13
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Uwayezu JN, Ren Z, Sonnenschein S, Leiviskä T, Lejon T, van Hees P, Karlsson P, Kumpiene J, Carabante I. Combination of separation and degradation methods after PFAS soil washing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168137. [PMID: 37890625 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The current study evaluated a three-stage treatment to remediate PFAS-contaminated soil. The treatment consisted of soil washing, foam fractionation (FF), and electrochemical oxidation (EO). The possibility of replacing the third stage, i.e., EO, with an adsorption process was also assessed. The contamination in the studied soils was dominated by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), with a concentration of 760 and 19 μg kg-1 in soil I and in soil II, accounting for 97 % and 70 % of all detected per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Before applying a pilot treatment of soil, soil washing was performed on a laboratory scale, to evaluate the effect of soil particle size, initial pH and a liquid-to-soil ratio (L/S) on the leachability of PFAS. A pilot washing system generated soil leachate that was subsequently treated using FF and EO (or adsorption) and then reused for soil washing. The results indicated that the leaching of PFAS occurred easier in 0.063-1 mm particles than in the soil particles having a size below 0.063 mm. Both alkaline conditions and a continual replacement of the leaching solution increased the leachability of PFAS. The analysis using one-way ANOVA showed no statistical difference in means of PFOS washed out in laboratory and pilot scales. This allowed estimating twenty washing cycles using 120 L water to reach 95 % PFOS removal in 60 kg soil. The aeration process removed 95-99 % PFOS in every washing cycle. The EO and adsorption processes achieved similar results removing up to 97 % PFOS in concentrated soil leachate. The current study demonstrated a multi-stage treatment as an effective and cost-efficient method to permanently clean up PFAS-contaminated soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Noel Uwayezu
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Zhongfei Ren
- Chemical Process Engineering, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Sarah Sonnenschein
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Tiina Leiviskä
- Chemical Process Engineering, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tore Lejon
- Department of Chemistry, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
| | | | | | - Jurate Kumpiene
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Ivan Carabante
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
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14
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Umeh AC, Naidu R, Olisa E, Liu Y, Qi F, Bekele D. A systematic investigation of single solute, binary and ternary PFAS transport in water-saturated soil using batch and 1-dimensional column studies: Focus on mixture effects. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132688. [PMID: 37797575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the transport and release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as single solutes and binary and ternary mixtures, and associated competitive sorption effects in water-saturated soil. Batch sorption isotherm and desorption, and one-dimensional miscible displacement studies were conducted. For the batch study, the mixtures exhibited extensive sorption isotherm nonlinearity at aqueous concentrations exceeding 20 µg/L. At and above this threshold, competitive effects significantly decreased PFAS sorption, mostly affecting perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). Importantly, mixture effects exacerbated isotherm nonlinearity and may increase the leaching of PFAS in subsurface soil and groundwater. Further, up to 100% desorption occurred for single solutes and mixtures, indicating that the studied PFAS were weakly sorbed. For the column study, at influent concentrations (21 - 27 µg/L, depending on PFAS) near the threshold, PFOA and PFHxS breakthrough curves (BTC) generally exhibited equilibrium (nonlinear) transport, whereas perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exhibited nonequilibrium transport, with minimal or no mixture effects. Nonequilibrium transport of PFOS was driven by rate-limited sorption, especially as flow interruption tests confirmed the absence of physical nonequilibrium. The sorption distribution coefficients (Kd) from moment and frontal analyses, and 2-site modelling of the BTC, were consistent with the batch-derived Kd, although comparatively smaller. Such discrepancies may limit the applicability of batch-derived Kd values for predictive transport modelling purposes. Overall, understanding mixture impacts may aid effective predictive modelling of PFAS transport and leaching, especially in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-source zone areas associated with elevated PFAS concentrations. At low or environmental PFAS concentrations, mixture effects can be expected to be play a minor role in influencing PFAS transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C Umeh
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Olisa
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Geosyntec Consultants, 211 Wheeler St, Saskatoon, SK S7P 0A4, Canada
| | - Yanju Liu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Fangjie Qi
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Nanjing Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 Beijing East Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210008, China
| | - Dawit Bekele
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Douglas Partners Pty Ltd, 439 Montague Road West End, QLD 4101, Australia
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Al Zbedy A, Müller V, Kindness A, Ebel R, Norton GJ, Feldmann J. GenX uptake by wheat and rice in flooded and non-flooded soils: a greenhouse experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:1607-1620. [PMID: 38044403 PMCID: PMC10789845 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31160-w] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
GenX (hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid) belongs to the group of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) compounds introduced to replace perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been phased out in industrial and consumer product formulations. While GenX has been investigated in lab animals, there is limited information available regarding its uptake and translocation in wheat and rice. This study reports on a greenhouse experiment in which wheat and rice grown under flooded and non-flooded conditions were exposed to two GenX concentrations in the soil (0.4 mg kg-1 and 2 mg kg-1). GenX was analysed in the soil, porewater and shoots using targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Extractable organic fluorine (EOF) was determined using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-GFMAS) instrument. Results showed that different species took up different amounts of GenX. The GenX concentration in rice shoots was found to be 2.34 (± 0.45) and 4.11 (± 0.87) μg g-1 under flooded and non-flooded conditions, respectively, at a low exposure level. At high exposure, the GenX concentrations in flooded and non-flooded rice shoots increased threefold to 10.4 (± 0.41) and 13.4 (± 0.72) μg g-1, respectively. Wheat shoots showed similar concentrations and increases between low- and high-level exposure. The translocation factor was significantly higher (P = 0.013) in non-flooded rice compared to flooded rice. The GenX bioaccumulation behaviours under the same culture conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, light, same GenX concentration in the soil) were significantly different in non-flooded and flooded rice (P < 0.001). Non-flooded rice plants displayed a higher level of GenX bioaccumulation than flooded ones. Following exposure to GenX, flooded rice plants showed a reduction in biomass (25%) compared to the control plants (P < 0.014). Our findings indicate that GenX is a bioaccumulative compound, the presence of which likely inhibits the growth of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnah Al Zbedy
- School of Biological science, University of Aberdeen, Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
- School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Al-Qunfudhah University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Viktoria Müller
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010, Graz, Austria
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Andrew Kindness
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Rainer Ebel
- School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Gareth J Norton
- School of Biological science, University of Aberdeen, Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Joerg Feldmann
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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16
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Che J, Xu C, Song X, Ding X, Ali M, Chen H. Bioaccumulation of PFASs in cabbage collected near a landfill site in China: Laboratory and field investigations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167578. [PMID: 37797761 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167578] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies found that the bioaccumulation of PFASs in vegetables poses potential risks to the health of residents in local areas near landfills in China. Therefore, our study investigated the uptake of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their accumulation and distribution in cabbage roots, stems, and leaves under both field and laboratory hydroponic conditions. It was found that the sum of concentration of 15 PFASs (designated as Σ15PFASs) in roots, stems, and leaves ranged from 24.8 to 365 ng/g, 49.2 to 204 ng/g, 11.9 to 115 ng/g, respectively, in the order of roots > stems > leaves, which were generally higher than the range in soil samples (6.07-63.91 ng/g). The dominant compounds in cabbage were PFBA and PFDA in field and hydroponic samples, respectively. The hydroponic experimental results revealed that the sum concentration of 10 PFASs (designated as Σ10PFASs) was the highest in roots, and PFDA was the dominant compound in different cabbage fractions. Bioconcentration factors of short-chain PFBA, PFPeA, and PFBS in hydroponics followed the trend of leaves > stems > roots, indicating that they were readily transported from roots to stems, and then to leaves, with the majority stored in leaves at abundance levels of 53 %, 71 %, and 60 %, respectively. Additionally, the much higher concentration factor for 6:2 FTS in leaves suggested a higher potential health risk than PFOS in terms of dietary consumption of cabbage leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilu Che
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; Sichuan Tianshengyuan Environmental Services Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Xin Song
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Mukhtiar Ali
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
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17
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Bierbaum T, Hansen SK, Poudel B, Haslauer C. Investigating rate-limited sorption, sorption to air-water interfaces, and colloid-facilitated transport during PFAS leaching. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:121529-121547. [PMID: 37957494 PMCID: PMC10724089 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Various sorption processes affect leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as PFOA and PFOS. The objectives of this study are to (1) compare rate-limited leaching in column and lysimeter experiments, (2) investigate the relevance of sorption to air-water interfaces (AWI), and (3) examine colloid-facilitated transport as a process explaining early experimental breakthrough. A continuum model (CM) with two-domain sorption is used to simulate equilibrium and rate-limited sorption. A random walk particle tracking (PT) model was developed and applied to analyze complex leaching characteristics. Results show that sorption parameters derived from column experiments underestimate long-term PFOA leaching in lysimeter experiments due to early depletion, suggesting that transformation of precursors contributes to the observed long-term leaching in the lysimeters (approximately 0.003 µg/kg/d PFOA). Both models demonstrate that sorption to AWI is the dominant retention mechanism for PFOS in lysimeter experiments, with retardation due to AWI being 3 (CM) to 3.7 (PT) times higher than retardation due to solid phase sorption. Notably, despite a simplified conception of AWI sorption, the PT results are closer to the observations. The PT simulations demonstrate possible colloid-facilitated transport at early time; however, results using substance-specific varying transport parameters align better with the observations, which should be equal if colloid-facilitated transport without additional kinetics is the sole mechanism affecting early breakthrough. Possibly, rate-limited sorption to AWI is relevant during the early stages of the lysimeter experiment. Our findings demonstrate that rate-limited sorption is less relevant for long-term leaching under field conditions compared to transformation of precursors and that sorption to AWI can be the dominant retention mechanism on contaminated sites. Moreover, they highlight the potential of random walk particle tracking as a practical alternative to continuum models for estimating the relative contributions of various retention mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bierbaum
- Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Environmental Systems (IWS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Scott K Hansen
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Bikash Poudel
- Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Environmental Systems (IWS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Claus Haslauer
- Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Environmental Systems (IWS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
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18
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Röhler K, Susset B, Grathwohl P. Production of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from precursors in contaminated agricultural soils: Batch and leaching experiments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166555. [PMID: 37633401 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of soils with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (e.g., aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) or PFAS containing biosolids applied to agricultural soils) can lead to large scale groundwater pollution. For site management, knowledge about the extent and time scales of PFAS contamination is crucial. At such sites, often persistent perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and so-called precursors, which can be transformed into PFAAs, co-occur. In this study, the release of PFAAs from 14 soil samples from an agricultural site in southwest Germany contaminated via compost/paper sludge was investigated. Rapid leaching of C4-C8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) was observed in saturated column tests, while slowing down with increasing chain-length (≥ C9 PFCAs). Two selected samples were further incubated in batch-tests after removal of existing C4-C8 PFCAs in extensive column leaching tests until a liquid-solid ratio of 10 l/kg. During 60 days of incubation, aqueous concentrations of C4-C8 PFCAs increased linearly by a factor of 29-222, indicating continuous production by transformation of precursors. The potential PFAA-precursor reservoir was estimated by the direct total oxidizable precursor (dTOP) assay. PFCA concentrations after the dTOP increased up to two orders of magnitude. Production rates determined in batch-tests combined with the results of dTOP assay were used to estimate time scales for the duration of C4-C8 PFCAs emission from the contaminated agricultural soils which likely will last for several decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Röhler
- Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Susset
- Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Grathwohl
- Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Lasters R, Van Sundert K, Groffen T, Buytaert J, Eens M, Bervoets L. Prediction of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in homegrown eggs: Insights into abiotic and biotic factors affecting bioavailability and derivation of potential remediation measures. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108300. [PMID: 37926061 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108300] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Homegrown eggs from free-ranging laying hens often contain elevated concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). However, it is unclear which factors contribute to these relatively large exposure risk scenarios. Moreover, existing bioavailability and modeling concepts of conventional organic pollutants cannot be generalized to PFAAs due to their different physicochemical soil interactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for empirical models, based on real-world data, to provide insights into how (a)biotic factors affect the bioavailability to eggs. To this end, 17 targeted analytes were analyzed in abiotic (i.e. rainwater, soil; both N = 101) matrices and homegrown eggs (N = 101), which were sampled in 101 private gardens across Flanders (Belgium) in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Various soil characteristics were measured to evaluate their role in affecting PFAA bioavailability to the eggs. Finally, PFAAs were measured in potential feed sources (i.e. homegrown vegetable and earthworm pools; respectively N = 49 and N = 34) of the laying hens to evaluate their contribution to the egg burden. Modeling suggested that soil was a major exposure source to laying hens, accounting for 16-55% of the total variation in egg concentrations for dominant PFAAs. Moreover, concentrations in vegetables and earthworms for PFBA and PFOS, respectively, were significantly positively related with corresponding egg concentrations. Predictive models based on soil concentrations, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, clay content and exchangeable cations were successfully developed for major PFAAs, providing possibilities for time- and cost-effective risk assessment of PFAAs in homegrown eggs. Among other soil characteristics, TOC and clay content were related with lower and higher egg concentrations for most PFAAs, respectively. This suggests that bioavailability of PFAAs to the eggs is driven by complex physicochemical interactions of PFAAs with TOC and clay. Finally, remediation measures were formulated that are readily applicable to lower PFAA exposure via homegrown eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lasters
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Kevin Van Sundert
- Research group of Plants and Ecosystems, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Climate and Ecology Lab, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 15 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Biobased Sustainability Solutions research group, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Thimo Groffen
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Jodie Buytaert
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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20
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Gkika IS, Xie G, van Gestel CAM, Ter Laak TL, Vonk JA, van Wezel AP, Kraak MHS. Research Priorities for the Environmental Risk Assessment of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2302-2316. [PMID: 37589402 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5729] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of ubiquitously applied persistent industrial chemicals. The field of PFAS environmental research is developing rapidly, but suffers from substantial biases toward specific compounds, environmental compartments, and organisms. The aim of our study was therefore to highlight current developments and to identify knowledge gaps and subsequent research needs that would contribute to a comprehensive environmental risk assessment for PFAS. To this end, we consulted the open literature and databases and found that knowledge of the environmental fate of PFAS is based on the analysis of <1% of the compounds categorized as PFAS. Moreover, soils and suspended particulate matter remain largely understudied. The bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and food web transfer studies of PFAS also focus on a very limited number of compounds and are biased toward aquatic biota, predominantly fish, and less frequently aquatic invertebrates and macrophytes. The available ecotoxicity data revealed that only a few PFAS have been well studied for their environmental hazards, and that PFAS ecotoxicity data are also strongly biased toward aquatic organisms. Ecotoxicity studies in the terrestrial environment are needed, as well as chronic, multigenerational, and community ecotoxicity research, in light of the persistency and bioaccumulation of PFAS. Finally, we identified an urgent need to unravel the relationships among sorption, bioaccumulation, and ecotoxicity on the one hand and molecular descriptors of PFAS chemical structures and physicochemical properties on the other, to allow predictions of exposure, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2302-2316. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna S Gkika
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ge Xie
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A M van Gestel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas L Ter Laak
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - J Arie Vonk
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel H S Kraak
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Wang M, Wang H, Lei G, Yang B, Hu T, Ye Y, Li W, Zhou Y, Yang X, Xu H. Current progress on fluoride occurrence in the soil environment: Sources, transformation, regulations and remediation. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:139901. [PMID: 37659515 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139901] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Fluorine is a halogen element widely distributed in nature, but due to excessive emissions from industrial manufacturing and agricultural production, etc., the soil is over-enriched with fluoride and the normal growth of plants is under stress, and it also poses a great threat to human health. In this review, we summarized the sources of fluoride in soil, and then analyzed the potential mechanisms of fluoride uptake in soil-plant systems. In addition, the main influences of soil ecosystems on plant fluoride uptake were discussed, soil management options to mitigate fluoride accumulation in plants were also summarized. The bioremediation techniques were found to be a developmental direction to improve fluoride pollution. Finally, we proposed other research directions, including fluoride uptake mechanisms in soil-plant systems at the molecular expression levels, development of visualization techniques for fluoride transport in plants, interactions mechanisms between soil microhabitats and plant metabolism affecting fluoride uptake, as well as combining abiotic additives, nanotechnology and biotechnology to remediate fluoride contamination problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghan Wang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Haoyang Wang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Ge Lei
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Biao Yang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Teng Hu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yingying Ye
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Biology and Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Synthesis and Environmental Pollution Control-Remediation Technology of Guizhou Province, Minzu Normal University of Xingyi, Xingyi 562400, China.
| | - Yaoyu Zhou
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huaqin Xu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
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22
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Zeeshan M, Ruhl AS. Fates of potentially persistent and mobile organic substances in embedded outdoor columns for artificial groundwater recharge simulation. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120615. [PMID: 37713798 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Persistent and mobile organic micropollutants (OMP) are ubiquitously found in the aquatic environment and have a high propensity to distribute in water resources and are difficult to remediate. Managed aquifer recharge systems such as artificial groundwater recharge, produce high-quality drinking water by removing numerous OMP from the source water. In this study, the fates of selected emerging and potentially persistent and mobile OMP were investigated in outdoor columns for artificial groundwater recharge simulation. Breakthrough curves of OMP were modeled to differentiate between sorption and bio-transformation. The study showed that selected OMP were persistent in the surface water and no photo-degradation was observed, except for diclofenac. The trends of dissolved organic carbon concentrations and UV light absorption at 254 nm wavelength suggest elevated biological activity in the first 0.3 m of the columns. The study revealed that the bio-transformation of cyanoguanidine, valsartan acid and diclofenac correlated with the biological activity in the sand columns. Benzyltrimethylammonium, n-(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl)methacrylamide, 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine, 1,3-diphenylguanidine and melamine were completely eliminated within the first 0.3 m, likely due to sorption. Less mobile compounds such as carbamazepine and adamantan-1-amine also showed sorption. Sorption was also observed for diclofenac, likely due to decreased pH along the column depth. Retardation factors of several OMP were higher in the first 0.3 m of the columns, likely due to higher organic carbon contents compared to the remaining depth. Six organic substances (for example 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate and dimethylbenzene sulfonate) were persistent and mobile throughout the experiment. Overall, this study reveals the vital role of pH and sand organic carbon for sorption and residence time and biological activity for OMP elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zeeshan
- German Environment Agency, Section II 3.3, Schichauweg 58, 12307, Berlin, Germany; Technische Universität Berlin, Water Treatment, KF4, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Aki Sebastian Ruhl
- German Environment Agency, Section II 3.3, Schichauweg 58, 12307, Berlin, Germany; Technische Universität Berlin, Water Treatment, KF4, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
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23
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Niarchos G, Georgii L, Ahrens L, Kleja DB, Fagerlund F. A systematic study of the competitive sorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on colloidal activated carbon. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115408. [PMID: 37666203 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115408] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of environmental media contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is crucial to mitigate mounting health risks associated with exposure. Colloidal activated carbon (CAC) has shown promise in treating contaminated soils, but understanding the interaction among PFAS during sorption is necessary for optimal remediation. This study investigated the extent to which PFAS of varying chain lengths and functional groups compete for sorption to CAC. Batch tests were conducted with natural soil and spiked water, using CAC at 0.2% w/w to remove seven PFAS with individual starting concentrations up to 0.05 mmol L-1. PFAS sorption to CAC was evaluated in three systems: a composite mixture of all studied compounds, a binary-solute system, and a single-solute system. The sorption experiments exhibited strong PFAS affinity to CAC, with removal rates between 41% and 100%, and solid/liquid partition coefficients (Kd) between 10 and 104 L kg-1. Differences were noticed among the various spiking mixtures, based on perfluorocarbon chain length, functional group, and the starting PFAS concentrations. Competition effects were detected when PFAS were in a multi-solute system, with an average 10% drop in removal, which can evidently become more relevant at higher concentrations, due to the observed non-linearity of the sorption process. The PFAS most vulnerable to competition effects in multi-solute systems were the short-chain perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), with an up to 25% reduction in removal. In bi-solute systems, perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) dominated over its ionisable counterparts, i.e. perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), indicating the importance of hydrophobic effects or layer formation in the sorption process. These results underscore the importance of considering competition in PFAS sorption processes when designing and implementing remediation techniques for PFAS-contaminated media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Niarchos
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Linnea Georgii
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dan Berggren Kleja
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P. O. Box 7090, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fritjof Fagerlund
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
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24
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He Q, Yan Z, Qian S, Xiong T, Grieger KD, Wang X, Liu C, Zhi Y. Phytoextraction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by weeds: Effect of PFAS physicochemical properties and plant physiological traits. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 454:131492. [PMID: 37121031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Phytoextraction is a promising technology that uses plants to remediate contaminated soil. However, its feasibility for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the impact of PFAS properties and plant traits on phytoextraction efficacy remains unknown. In this study, we conducted greenhouse experiment and evaluated the potential of weeds for phytoextraction of PFAS from soil and assessed the effects of PFAS properties and plant traits on PFAS uptake via systematic correlation analyses and electron probe microanalyzer with energy dispersive spectroscopy (FE-EPMA-EDS) imaging. The results showed that 1) phytoextraction can remove 0.04%- 41.4%wt of PFAS from soil, with extracted PFAS primarily stored in plant shoots; 2) Weeds preferentially extracted short-chain PFAS over long-chain homologues from soil. 3) PFAS molecular size and hydrophilicity determined plant uptake behavior, while plant morphological traits, particularly root protein and lipid content, influenced PFAS accumulation and translocation. Although plants with thin roots and small leaf areas exhibited greater PFAS uptake and storage ability, the impact of PFAS physicochemical properties was more significant. 4) Finally, short-chain PFAS were transported quickly upwards in the plant, while uptake of long-chain PFOS was restricted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang He
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Shenhua Qian
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Tiantian Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Khara D Grieger
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Caihong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yue Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
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25
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Scearce AE, Goossen CP, Schattman RE, Mallory EB, MaCrae JD. Linking drivers of plant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) uptake to agricultural land management decisions. Biointerphases 2023; 18:040801. [PMID: 37410498 DOI: 10.1116/6.0002772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread contamination of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in agricultural areas is largely attributed to the application of sewage sludge in which the PFAS can be concentrated. This creates a pathway for these contaminants to enter the food chain and, by extension, causes human health and economic concerns. One barrier to managing land with PFAS contamination is the variation in reported plant uptake levels across studies. A review of the literature suggests that the variation in plant uptake is influenced by a host of factors including the composition of PFAS chemicals, soil conditions, and plant physiology. Factors include (1) the chemical components of the PFAS such as the end group and chain length; (2) drivers of soil sorption such as the presence of soil organic matter (SOM), multivalent cation concentration, pH, soil type, and micropore volume; and (3) crop physiological features such as fine root area, percentage of mature roots, and leaf blade area. The wide range of driving factors highlights a need for research to elucidate these mechanisms through additional experiments as well as collect more data to support refined models capable of predicting PFAS uptake in a range of cropping systems. A conceptual framework presented here links drivers of plant PFAS uptake found in the literature to phytomanagement approaches such as modified agriculture or phytoremediation to provide decision support to land managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex E Scearce
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469
| | - Caleb P Goossen
- Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Unity, Maine 04988
| | | | - Ellen B Mallory
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, Maine 04469
| | - Jean D MaCrae
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469
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26
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Li H, Dong Q, Zhang M, Gong T, Zan R, Wang W. Transport behavior difference and transport model of long- and short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in underground environmental media: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121579. [PMID: 37028785 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121579] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), which are the most commonly regulated and most widely concerned per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have received increasing attention on a global scale due to their amphiphilicity, stability, and long-range transport. Thus, understanding the typical PFAS transport behavior and using models to predict the evolution of PFAS contamination plumes is important for evaluating the potential risks. In this study, the effects of organic matter (OM), minerals, water saturation, and solution chemistry on the transport and retention of PFAS were investigated, and the interaction mechanism between long-chain/short-chain PFAS and the surrounding environment was analyzed. The results revealed that high content of OM/minerals, low saturation, low pH, and divalent cation had a great retardation effect on long-chain PFAS transport. The retention caused by hydrophobic interaction was the prominent mechanism for long-chain PFAS, whereas, the retention caused by electrostatic interaction was more relevant for short-chain PFAS. Additional adsorption at the air-water and nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPL)-water interface was another potential interaction for retarding PFAS transport in the unsaturated media, which preferred to retard long-chain PFAS. Furthermore, the developing models for describing PFAS transport were investigated and summarized in detail, including the convection-dispersion equation, two-site model (TSM), continuous-distribution multi-rate model, modified-TSM, multi-process mass-transfer (MPMT) model, MPMT-1D model, MPMT-3D model, tempered one-sided stable density transport model, and a comprehensive compartment model. The research revealed PFAS transport mechanisms and provided the model tools, which supported the theoretical basis for the practical prediction of the evolution of PFAS contamination plumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Qianling Dong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Tiantian Gong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Rixia Zan
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Wenbing Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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27
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Yu L, Hua Z, Liu X, Chen L, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Dong Y, Xue H. The addition of iron-carbon enhances the removal of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in constructed wetlands. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121534. [PMID: 37001598 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121534] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Hazardous perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), particularly perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), have become ubiquitous environmental persistent organic contaminants, posing serious threats to environmental health, which has led to the development of PFAA treatment methods. Wetland construction in combination with iron-carbon (CW-I), a low-maintenance and high-efficiency technology, may be capable of removing PFAAs through physico-biochemical processes. In this study, we aim to investigate the removal efficiency of PFAAs by CW-I as well as the critical functions of all components within the wetlands. Pairwise comparisons of iron-carbon and control groups revealed that iron-carbon significantly enhanced 15.9% for PFOA and 17.9% for PFOS absorption through phytouptake and substrate adsorption, with respective removal efficiencies of 71.8% ± 1.03% and 85.8% ± 1.56%. The generated iron ions stimulated plant growth and further enhanced phytouptake of PFAAs, with PFAAs accumulated primarily in root tissues with limited translocation. Observations of batch adsorption suggest that chemical and electrostatic interactions are involved in the iron-carbon adsorption process, with film and intraparticle diffusions being the rate-limiting events. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that PFAA adsorption by substrates occurs at the molecular level, as well as the occurrence of hydrophobic force effects and ligand exchanges during the iron-carbon adsorption process. Additionally, iron-carbon significantly altered the genera, phyla, and community structure of microorganisms, and some microorganisms and their extracellular polymers may possess ability to bind PFAAs. The information provided in this study contributes to our understanding of the PFAA removal processes in CW-I and enriched the classical cases of PFAA removal by CWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Zulin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Luying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Yixin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Yueyang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Hongqin Xue
- School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
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Bierbaum T, Klaas N, Braun J, Nürenberg G, Lange FT, Haslauer C. Immobilization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Comparison of leaching behavior by three different leaching tests. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162588. [PMID: 36871732 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The evaluation of PFAS immobilization performance in laboratory experiments, especially the long-term stability, is a challenge. To contribute to the development of adequate experimental procedures, the impact of experimental conditions on the leaching behavior was studied. Three experiments on different scales were compared: batch, saturated column, and variably saturated laboratory lysimeter experiments. The Infinite Sink (IS) test - a batch test with repeated sampling - was applied for PFAS for the first time. Soil from an agricultural field amended with paper-fiber biosolids polluted with various perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs; 655 μg/kg ∑18PFAAs) and polyfluorinated precursors (1.4 mg/kg ∑18precursors) was used as the primary material (N-1). Two types of PFAS immobilization agents were tested: treatment with activated carbon-based additives (soil mixtures: R-1 and R-2), and solidification with cement and bentonite (R-3). In all experiments, a chain-length dependent immobilization efficacy is observed. In R-3, the leaching of short-chain PFAAs was enhanced relative to N-1. In column and lysimeter experiments with R-1 and R-2, delayed breakthrough of short-chain PFAAs (C4) occurred (> 90 days; in column experiments at liquid-to-solid ratio (LS) > 30 L/kg) with similar temporal leaching rates suggesting that leaching in these cases was a kinetically controlled process. Observed differences between column and lysimeter experiments may be attributed to varying saturation conditions. In IS experiments, PFAS desorption from N-1, R-1, and R-2 is higher than in the column experiments (N-1: +44 %; R-1: +280 %; R-2: +162 %), desorption of short-chain PFAS occurred predominantly in the initial phase (< 14 days). Our findings demonstrate that sufficient operating times are essential in percolation experiments, e.g., in column experiments >100 days and LS > 30 L/kg. IS experiments may provide a faster estimate for nonpermanent immobilization. The comparison of experimental data from various experiments is beneficial to evaluate PFAS immobilization and to interpret leaching characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bierbaum
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS), Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70597 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Norbert Klaas
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS), Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70597 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen Braun
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS), Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70597 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gudrun Nürenberg
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (German Water Centre), Karlsruher Straße 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Frank Thomas Lange
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (German Water Centre), Karlsruher Straße 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Claus Haslauer
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS), Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS), Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70597 Stuttgart, Germany
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29
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Shu X, Yang M, Lin H, Zhang Q, Zhang L, Liu J, Zhang X, Pan F, Xu L. Oxalic-activated minerals enhance the stabilization of polypropylene and polyamide microplastics in soil: Crucial roles of mineral dissolution coupled surface oxygen-functional groups. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162563. [PMID: 36870511 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) prevalent in soil environments may influence the transport, fate, and orientation of microplastics (MPs) by mediating mineral interfaces. Nevertheless, few studies have reported their impact on the environmental behavior of MPs in soil. Here, the functional regulation of oxalic at mineral interfaces and its stabilizing mechanism for MPs were investigated. The results showed that oxalic drove MPs stability onto minerals and new adsorption pathways, which are dependent on the bifunctionality of minerals induced by oxalic acid. Besides, our findings reveal that in the absence of oxalic acid, the stability of hydrophilic and hydrophobic MPs on kaolinite (KL) mainly displays hydrophobic dispersion, whereas electrostatic interaction is dominant on ferric sesquioxide (FS). Moreover, the amide functional groups ([NHCO]) of PA-MPs may have positive feedback on the stability of MPs. In the presence of oxalic acid (2-100 mM), the MPs stability efficiency and property onto minerals were integrally increased in batch studies. Our results demonstrate the oxalic acid-activated interfacial interaction of minerals via dissolution coupled O-functional groups. Oxalic-induced functionality at mineral interfaces further activates electrostatic interaction, cation bridge effect, hydrogen forces, ligand exchange and hydrophobicity. These findings provide new insights into the regulating mechanisms of oxalic-activated mineral interfacial properties for environmental behavior of emerging pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Shu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Minghao Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Haiyang Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China.
| | - Lishan Zhang
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Fujing Pan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
| | - Lizhen Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541000, PR China
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30
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Hubert M, Arp HPH, Hansen MC, Castro G, Meyn T, Asimakopoulos AG, Hale SE. Influence of grain size, organic carbon and organic matter residue content on the sorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous film forming foam contaminated soils - Implications for remediation using soil washing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162668. [PMID: 36894086 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A soil that was historically contaminated with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) was dry sieved into size fractions representative of those produced during soil washing. Batch sorption tests were then conducted to investigate the effect of soil parameters on in situ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sorption of these different size fractions: < 0.063 mm, 0.063 to 0.5 mm, 0.5 to 2 mm, 2 to 4 mm, 4 to 8 mm, and soil organic matter residues (SOMR). PFOS (513 ng/g), 6:2 FTS (132 ng/g) and PFHxS (58 ng/g) were the most dominant PFAS in the AFFF contaminated soil. Non-spiked, in situ Kd values for 19 PFAS ranged from 0.2 to 138 L/Kg (log Kd -0.8 to 2.14) for the bulk soil and were dependant on the head group and perfluorinated chain length (spanning C4 to C13). The Kd values increased with decreasing grain size and increasing organic carbon content (OC), which were correlated to each other. For example, the PFOS Kd value for silt and clay (< 0.063 mm, 17.1 L/Kg, log Kd 1.23) were approximately 30 times higher compared to the gravel fraction (4 to 8 mm, 0.6 L/Kg, log Kd -0.25). The highest PFOS Kd value (116.6 L/Kg, log Kd 2.07) was found for the SOMR fraction, which had the highest OC content. Koc values for PFOS ranged from 6.9 L/Kg (log Koc 0.84) for the gravel fraction to 1906 L/Kg (log Koc 3.28) for the silt and clay, indicating that the mineral composition of the different size fractions also influenced sorption. The results here emphasize the need to separate coarse-grained fractions and fine-grained fractions, and in particular the SOMR, to optimize the soil washing process. Higher Kd values for the smaller size fractions indicate that coarser soils are better suited for soil washing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Hubert
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), NO-0806 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), NO-0806 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Gabriela Castro
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thomas Meyn
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Sarah E Hale
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), NO-0806 Oslo, Norway
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31
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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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32
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Mohona TM, Ye Z, Dai N, Nalam PC. Adsorption behavior of long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances on hydrophobic surface: A combined molecular characterization and simulation study. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 239:120074. [PMID: 37207455 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydrophobic interaction is a prevalent sorption mechanism of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in natural and engineered environments. In this study, we combined quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), atomic force microscope (AFM) with force mapping, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to probe the molecular behavior of PFAS at the hydrophobic interface. On a CH3-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) showed ∼2-fold higher adsorption than perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that has the same fluorocarbon tail length but a different head group. Kinetic modeling using the linearized Avrami model suggests that the PFNA/PFOS-surface interaction mechanisms can evolve over time. This is confirmed by AFM force-distance measurements, which shows that while the adsorbed PFNA/PFOS molecules mostly lay flat, a portion of them formed aggregates/hierarchical structures of 1-10 nm in size after lateral diffusion on surface. PFOS showed a higher affinity to aggregate than PFNA. Association with air nanobubbles is observed for PFOS but not PFNA. MD simulations further showed that PFNA has a greater tendency than PFOS to have its tail inserted into the hydrophobic SAM, which can enhance adsorption but limit lateral diffusion, consistent with the relative behavior of PFNA/PFOS in QCM and AFM experiments. This integrative QCM-AFM-MD study reveals that the interfacial behavior of PFAS molecules can be heterogeneous even on a relatively homogeneous surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tashfia M Mohona
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Materials Design and Innovation, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Zhijiang Ye
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Ning Dai
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Prathima C Nalam
- Department of Materials Design and Innovation, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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33
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Huang YR, Liu SS, Zi JX, Cheng SM, Li J, Ying GG, Chen CE. In Situ Insight into the Availability and Desorption Kinetics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Soils with Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:7809-7817. [PMID: 37155686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The physicochemical exchange dynamics between the solid and solution phases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils needs to be better understood. This study employed an in situ tool, diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), to understand the distribution and exchange kinetics of five typical PFAS in four soils. Results show a nonlinear relationship between the PFAS masses in DGT and time, implying that PFAS were partially supplied by the solid phase in all of the soils. A dynamic model DGT-induced fluxes in soils/sediments (DIFS) was used to interpret the results and derive the distribution coefficients for the labile fraction (Kdl), response time (tc), and adsorption/desorption rates (k1 and k-1). The larger labile pool size (indicated by Kdl) for the longer chain PFAS implies their higher potential availability. The shorter chain PFAS tend to have a larger tc and relatively smaller k-1, implying that the release of these PFAS in soils might be kinetically limited but not for more hydrophobic compounds, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), although soil properties might play an important role. Kdl ultimately controls the PFAS availability in soils, while the PFAS release from soils might be kinetically constrained (which may also hold for biota uptake), particularly for more hydrophilic PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Rui Huang
- Environmental Research Institute/School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Si Liu
- Environmental Research Institute/School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Xin Zi
- Environmental Research Institute/School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Ming Cheng
- Environmental Research Institute/School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- Environmental Research Institute/School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Er Chen
- Environmental Research Institute/School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
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34
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Jahn KL, Lincoln SA, Freeman KH, Saffer DM. Preferential Retention and Transport of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid in a Dolomite Aquifer. GROUND WATER 2023; 61:318-329. [PMID: 36103019 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can represent a significant human health risk if present in aquifers used as a drinking water source. Accurate assessment of PFAS exposure risks requires an improved understanding of field-scale PFAS transport in groundwater. Activities at a former firefighter training site in University Park, Pennsylvania introduced perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) to the underlying dolomite aquifer. Groundwater sampling from 2015 to 2018 delineated a PFOS plume with two concentration maxima located approximately 20 and approximately 220 m downgradient of the training site, separated by a zone of lower concentrations. We use a combination of analytical and numerical models, informed by independent measurements of aquifer porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and organic carbon content, to interpret the field observations. Our analysis demonstrates that preferential retention and transport resulting from simple heterogeneity in bedrock sorption, as caused by organic carbon (OC) content variability, provides a plausible explanation for plume separation. Dissolved PFOS partitions strongly to organic solids (high Koc ), so even a small OC (<1 wt%) significantly retards PFOS transport, whereas zones with little to no OC allow for transport rates that approximate those of a conservative solute. Our work highlights an important consideration for modeling the groundwater transport of PFOS, and other compounds with high Koc . In aquifers with discrete layers of varying OC, models using a uniform site-average OC will underestimate transport distances, thereby misrepresenting exposure risks for downgradient communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalle L Jahn
- USGS New York Water Science Center, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Sara A Lincoln
- Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
- Akima Systems Engineering, Herndon, VA
| | - Katherine H Freeman
- Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Demian M Saffer
- Institute for Geophysics, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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35
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Gao Z, Yi S, Xue M, Zhu K, Yang R, Wang T, Sun H, Zhu L. Microbial biotransformation mechanisms of PFPiAs in soil unveiled by metagenomic analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 448:130896. [PMID: 36764254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130896] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As alternatives of long-chain PFASs (Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances), perfluoroalkyl phosphinic acids (PFPiAs) are increasingly observed in the environment, but their environmental behaviors have not been well understood. Here, the microbial biotransformation of C6/C6 and C8/C8 PFPiA in two soils (Soil N and Y) was investigated. After 252 d and 330 d of incubation with PFPiAs in Soil N and Y respectively, the levels of PFPiAs decreased distinctly, accompanied by the increasing perfluorohexaphosphonic acid (PFHxPA) or perfluorooctanophosphonic acid (PFOPA) formation, magnifying PFPiAs were susceptible to C-P cleavage, which was also confirmed by the density functional theory calculations. The half-lives of the PFPiAs were longer than one year, while generally shorter in Soil N than in Soil Y and that of C6/C6 was shorter than C8/C8 PFPiA (392 d and 746 d in Soil N, and 603 and 1155 d in Soil Y, respectively). Metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that Proteobacteria as the primary host of the potential functional genes related to CP bond cleavage might be the crucial phyla contributing to the biotransformation of PFPiAs. Meanwhile, the more intensive interactions between the microbes in Soil N consistently contribute to its greater capacity for transforming PFPiAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Gao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, PR China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and The Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Shujun Yi
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Mengzhu Xue
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, PR China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and The Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Kecheng Zhu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, PR China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and The Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Rongyan Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Tiecheng Wang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, PR China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and The Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, PR China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China.
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36
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Abou-Khalil C, Kewalramani J, Zhang Z, Sarkar D, Abrams S, Boufadel MC. Effect of clay content on the mobilization efficiency of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from soils by electrokinetics and hydraulic flushing. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 322:121160. [PMID: 36716947 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The need for the efficient remediation of soils impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is substantially growing because of the notable upsurge in societal and regulatory awareness of this class of chemicals. To remediate PFAS-contaminated soils using mobilization approaches, the choice of appropriate techniques highly depends on the soil's composition, particularly the clay content, which significantly affects the soil's permeability. Here, we investigated the PFAS mobilization efficiency from soils with different clay contents by using two techniques: electrokinetic (EK) remediation and hydraulic flushing. Artificial kaolinite was added to a loamy sand soil to prepare four soil blends with clay contents of 5, 25, 50, and 75%, each contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfulorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOA) at 10,000 μg/kg. EK remediation was conducted by applying a low voltage (30 V) with a current of 100 mA, and hydraulic flushing was carried out by applying a hydraulic gradient (HG) with a slope of 6.7%. Results show that, with a 14-day treatment duration, the EK-mobilization efficiency was enhanced substantially with the increase of clay content (removal of PFOS increased from 20% at 5% clay to 80% at 75% clay), most likely due to the increase of electroosmotic flow due to the higher content of particles having a zeta potential (i.e., clay). For HG, increasing the clay content significantly suppressed the mobilization of PFAS (removal of PFOS decreased from 40% at 5% clay to 10% at 75% clay) due to a notable decrease in the soil's permeability. Based on the results, applying hydraulic flushing and washing techniques for mobilizing PFAS would be appropriate when treating permeable soils with a maximum clay content of about 25%; otherwise, other suitable mobilization techniques such as EKs should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel Abou-Khalil
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Jitendra Kewalramani
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
| | - Dibyendu Sarkar
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
| | - Stewart Abrams
- Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., 300 Kimball Dr., Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA
| | - Michel C Boufadel
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
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37
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Campos-Pereira H, Kleja DB, Ahrens L, Enell A, Kikuchi J, Pettersson M, Gustafsson JP. Effect of pH, surface charge and soil properties on the solid-solution partitioning of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in a wide range of temperate soils. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 321:138133. [PMID: 36791815 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138133] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The pH-dependent soil-water partitioning of six perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) of environmental concern (PFOA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFHxS, PFOS and FOSA), was investigated for 11 temperate mineral soils and related to soil properties such as organic carbon content (0.2-3%), concentrations of Fe and Al (hydr)oxides, and texture. PFAS sorption was positively related to the perfluorocarbon chain length of the molecule, and inversely related to solution pH for all substances. The negative slope between log Kd and pH became steeper with increasing perfluorocarbon chain length of the PFAS (r2 = 0.75, p ≤ 0.05). Organic carbon (OC) alone was a poor predictor of the partitioning for all PFASs, except for FOSA (r2 = 0.71), and the OC-normalized PFAS partitioning, as derived from organic soil materials, underestimated PFAS sorption to the soils. Multiple linear regression suggested sorption contributions (p ≤ 0.05) from OC for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and FOSA, and Fe/Al (hydr)oxides for PFOS, FOSA, and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA). FOSA was the only substance under study for which there was a statistically significant correlation between its binding and soil texture (silt + clay). To predict PFAS sorption, the surface net charge of the soil organic matter fraction of all soils was calculated using the Stockholm Humic Model. When calibrated against charge-dependent PFAS sorption to a peat (Oe) material, the derived model significantly underestimated the measured Kd values for 10 out of 11 soils. To conclude, additional sorbents, possibly including silicate minerals, contribute to the binding of PFASs in soil. More research is needed to develop geochemical models that can accurately predict PFAS sorption in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Campos-Pereira
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7014, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dan B Kleja
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7014, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI), SE-581 93, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anja Enell
- Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI), SE-581 93, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johannes Kikuchi
- Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI), SE-581 93, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Thematic Studies, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Jon Petter Gustafsson
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7014, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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38
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Nesse AS, Jasinska A, Ali AM, Sandblom O, Sogn TA, Benskin JP. Uptake of Ultrashort Chain, Emerging, and Legacy Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Edible Mushrooms ( Agaricus spp.) Grown in a Polluted Substrate. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:4458-4465. [PMID: 36883363 PMCID: PMC10037327 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c03790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Uptake of 19 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including C3-C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), C4, C6, and C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), and four emerging PFAS, was investigated in two mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus subrufescens) cultivated in a biogas digestate-based substrate. Accumulation of PFAS in mushrooms was low and strongly chain-length dependent. Among the different PFCAs, bioaccumulation factors (log BAFs) decreased from a maximum of -0.3 for perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA; C3) to a minimum of -3.1 for perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA; C7), with only minor changes from PFHpA to perfluorotridecanoate (PFTriDA; C13). For PFSAs, log BAFs decreased from perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS; -2.2) to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS; -3.1) while mushroom uptake was not observed for the alternatives 3H-perfluoro-3-[(3-methoxy-propoxy)propanoic acid] (ADONA) and two chlorinated polyfluoro ether sulfonates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the uptake of emerging and ultra-short chain PFAS in mushrooms, and generally the results indicate very low accumulation of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Solvåg Nesse
- Faculty
of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Agnieszka Jasinska
- Lindum
AS, 3036 Drammen, Norway
- Department
of Vegetable Crops, Faculty of Horticulture, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| | - Aasim Musa Ali
- Department
of Contaminants and Biohazards, Institute
of Marine Research, 5005 Bergen, Norway
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Oskar Sandblom
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Trine A. Sogn
- Faculty
of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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39
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Zhang D, Li J, Li X, Wang M, Zhong Y, Chen G, Xiao H, Zhang Y. Phytoremediation of fluoroalkylethers (ether-PFASs): A review on bioaccumulation and ecotoxilogical effects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:161260. [PMID: 36587702 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161260] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fluoroalkylethers (ether-PFASs), as alternatives to phased-out per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), have attracted mounting attention due to their ubiquitous detection in aquatic environment and their similarity to legacy PFASs in terms of persistence and toxicity. In this review, the sources and distribution of ether-PFASs in soil ecosystem as well as their toxic impacts on soil microbial community are summarized. The plant uptake and bioaccumulation potential of ether-PFASs are presented, and a wide range of the influencing factors for their uptake and translocation is discussed. In response to ether-PFASs, the corresponding phytotoxic effects, such as seed germination, plant growth, photosynthesis, oxidative damage, antioxidant enzymes activities, and genotoxicity, are systematically elucidated. Finally, the current knowledge gaps and future research prospective are highlighted. The findings of this review will advance our understanding for the environmental behavior and implications ether-PFASs in soil-plant systems and help explore the strategies for ether-PFASs remediation to minimize their adverse toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqing Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China.
| | - Jiaying Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
| | - Xia Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China.
| | - Mo Wang
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yongming Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
| | - Gaolin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
| | - Hongyu Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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40
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Dong S, Yan PF, Liu C, Manz KE, Mezzari MP, Abriola LM, Pennell KD, Cápiro NL. Assessing aerobic biotransformation of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted soils: Pathways and microbial community dynamics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130629. [PMID: 36630879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Production of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH) for industrial and consumer products, including aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) used for firefighting, has resulted in its widespread occurrence in the environment. However, the fate of 8:2 FTOH at AFFF-impacted sites remains largely unknown. Using AFFF-impacted soils from two United States Air Force Bases, microcosm experiments evaluated the aerobic biotransformation of 8:2 FTOH (extent and byproduct formation) and the dose-response on microbial communities due to 8:2 FTOH exposure. Despite different microbial communities, rapid transformation of 8:2 FTOH was observed during a 90-day incubation in the two soils, and 7:2 secondary fluorotelomer alcohol (7:2 sFTOH) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were detected as major transformation products. Novel transformation products, including perfluoroalkane-like compounds (1H-perfluoroheptane, 1H-perfluorohexane, and perfluoroheptanal) were identified by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and used to develop aerobic 8:2 FTOH biotransformation pathways. Microbial community analysis suggests that species from genus Sphingomonas are potential 8:2 FTOH degraders based on increased abundance in both soils after exposure, and the genus Afipia may be more tolerant to and/or involved in the transformation of 8:2 FTOH at elevated concentrations. These findings demonstrate the potential role of biological processes on PFAS fate at AFFF-impacted sites through fluorotelomer biotransformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Dong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States
| | - Peng-Fei Yan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States
| | - Chen Liu
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Katherine E Manz
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Melissa P Mezzari
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Linda M Abriola
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Natalie L Cápiro
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States.
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41
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Groffen T, Prinsen E, Devos Stoffels OA, Maas L, Vincke P, Lasters R, Eens M, Bervoets L. PFAS accumulation in several terrestrial plant and invertebrate species reveals species-specific differences. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:23820-23835. [PMID: 36331738 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23799-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite the known persistence and bioaccumulation potential of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), much uncertainty exists regarding their bioavailability in the terrestrial environment. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of soil characteristics and PFAS concentrations on the adsorption of PFAS to soil and their influence on the PFAS bioavailability to terrestrial plants and invertebrates. PFAS concentrations and profile were compared among different invertebrate and plant species and differences between leaves and fruits/nuts of the plant species were assessed. Soil concentrations were primarily affected by organic carbon content. The PFAS accumulation in biota was, except for PFOA concentrations in nettles, unrelated to the soil concentrations, as well as to the soil characteristics. The PFAS profiles in soil and invertebrates were mainly dominated by PFOA and PFOS, whereas short-chained PFAS were more abundant in plant tissues. Our results show that different invertebrate taxa accumulate different PFAS, likely due to dietary differences. Both long-chained and, to lesser extent, short-chained PFAS were observed in herbivorous invertebrate taxa, whereas the carnivorous invertebrates only accumulated long-chained PFAS. Correlations were observed between PFOA concentrations in herbivorous invertebrates and in the leaves of some plant species, whereas such relationships were absent for the carnivorous spiders. It is essential to continuously monitor PFAS exposure in terrestrial organisms, taking into account differences in bioaccumulation, and subsequent potential toxicity, among taxa, in order to protect the terrestrial ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thimo Groffen
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Els Prinsen
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ona-Abeni Devos Stoffels
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Layla Maas
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pieter Vincke
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Robin Lasters
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
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Gnesda WR, Draxler EF, Tinjum J, Zahasky C. Adsorption of PFAAs in the Vadose Zone and Implications for Long-Term Groundwater Contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16748-16758. [PMID: 36395358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent environmental contaminants that sorb to air-water and solid interfaces throughout the vadose zone. These sorption processes lead to decadal leaching of PFAS from the source zones to groundwater systems. While these processes are increasingly well understood, critical gaps exist in describing the vertically variable adsorption in the presence of vadose zone heterogeneity and methods for efficiently upscaling the laboratory observations to predict field-scale PFAA transport and retardation. In this work, we build upon fundamental theories and scalable relationships to define a semi-analytical framework for synthesizing and upscaling PFAA adsorption in heterogeneous vadose zone systems. Solid-phase and air-water interfacial adsorption are quantified mechanistically for several PFAAs and then applied to a contaminated site in Northern Wisconsin. The results highlight the dominance of air-water and organic carbon solid-phase adsorption processes in the vadose zone. Strong sorption heterogeneity─driven by depth-dependent adsorption mechanisms─produces complex spatially variable retardation profiles. We develop vadose zone retardation potentials to quantify this field-scale heterogeneity and propose vertical integration methods to upscale spatially resolved information for transport modeling. This work highlights the importance of accounting for multiscale and multiprocess heterogeneity for accurately describing and predicting the long-term fate and transport of PFAAs in the subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Gnesda
- Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin53715, United States
| | - Elliot F Draxler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin53715, United States
| | - James Tinjum
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin53715, United States
| | - Christopher Zahasky
- Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin53715, United States
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43
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Shimizu MS, Garcia RS, Avery GB, Kieber RJ, Skrabal SA, Mead RN. Distribution of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in riverine and coastal sediments of Southeastern North Carolina, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:2119-2128. [PMID: 36200300 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00246a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The sediment distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) along a river to ocean transect was investigated. Samples were collected between September 2017 and October 2019 with targeted quantification of six legacy and replacement PFAS by LC-MS/MS. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from below the LOQ to 7.47 ng per g dry weight with PFOA, PFOS, HFPO-DA and PFMOAA the most frequently detected. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between PFOS and HFPO-DA sedimentary concentration and percent organic carbon (% OC); however, PFOA and PFMOAA were not correlated with sediment % OC. This study highlights the occurrence of the replacement PFAS in sediments for the first time. Sediment extracts were screened for 18 additional PFAS compounds by high resolution mass spectrometry. A series of perfluorinated ether carboxylic acid and perfluorinated ether sulfonic acid with either one or two acidic functional groups were detected at various locations in the upper portion of the Cape Fear River. A series of chromatographically resolved isomers (C7F13O5S1; M-1) were detected and may be Nafion™ degradation products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi S Shimizu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
| | - Rosa S Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
| | - G Brooks Avery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
| | - Robert J Kieber
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
| | - Stephen A Skrabal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
| | - Ralph N Mead
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
- Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
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44
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Abraham JEF, Mumford KG, Patch DJ, Weber KP. Retention of PFOS and PFOA Mixtures by Trapped Gas Bubbles in Porous Media. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15489-15498. [PMID: 36279175 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and groundwater is important for site investigation, risk characterization, and remediation planning. The adsorption of PFAS at air-water interfaces has been shown to significantly contribute to PFAS retention, with subsequent effects on concentrations and the time scales of transport. In this study, column experiments were conducted to investigate the transport of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) individually and in binary mixtures in the presence of a trapped gas phase, using clean sands to isolate adsorption to air-water interfaces. Consistent with previous studies, the transport of PFOS, PFOA, and 6:2 FTS was retarded by adsorption at the air-water interface, with greater retention of PFOS due to its higher affinity for the air-water interface. Chromatographic separation occurred in the experiments using binary mixtures of PFOS and PFOA, with greater retention at lower influent concentrations. The mixture experiments also showed enhanced breakthrough of PFOA in the presence of PFOS, where effluent concentrations of PFOA were temporarily greater than the influent concentration prior to the breakthrough of PFOS. This enhanced breakthrough was attributed to competition between PFOS and PFOA for adsorption to the air-water interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine E F Abraham
- Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, OntarioCanada, K7L 3N6
| | - Kevin G Mumford
- Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, OntarioCanada, K7L 3N6
| | - David J Patch
- Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, OntarioCanada, 7K7 7B4
| | - Kela P Weber
- Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, OntarioCanada, 7K7 7B4
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45
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Judy JD, Gravesen C, Christopher Wilson P, Lee L, Sarchapone J, Hinz F, Broadbent E. Trophic transfer of PFAS from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) caterpillars. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 310:119814. [PMID: 35926738 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PFASs are highly persistent in the environment and the potential exists for terrestrial biota to accumulate PFAS, which may result in exposure of higher trophic level organisms to these compounds through consumption. However, trophic transfer of proteinophilic compounds such as PFAS has not been extensively studied and the degree to which plant-accumulated PFAS will be transferred to herbivorous consumers is unclear. Here, we exposed Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) plants to a suite of 7 different PFAS, including 4 carboxylic acids (PFOA, PFHxA, PFHpA and PFDA) and 3 sulfonates (PFBS, PFHxS and PFOS). Exposed leaf tissues were subsequently fed to Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) caterpillars. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) were all below 1 and patterns of uptake and elimination were similar between the different PFAS. However, PFOS bioaccumulated in the hornworms to a much higher concentration, with approximately 5-fold higher BMFs and assimilation efficiencies (AEs) than other PFAS tested. AE and BMF, as well as PFAS uptake by the plants, were positively correlated with PFAS carbon chain length for both sulfonates and carboxylic acids, providing evidence that longer chain PFAS may be more efficiently accumulated (or less efficiently eliminated) than shorter-chain PFAS in some contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Judy
- University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Caleb Gravesen
- University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - P Christopher Wilson
- University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Linda Lee
- Purdue University, Department of Agronomy, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Purdue University, Ecological Sciences & Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Purdue University, Environmental & Ecological Engineering, West Lafayette IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jennifer Sarchapone
- University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Francisca Hinz
- University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Emma Broadbent
- University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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46
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Fredriksson F, Kärrman A, Eriksson U, Yeung LW. Analysis and characterization of novel fluorinated compounds used in surface treatments products. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 302:134720. [PMID: 35487349 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Side-chain fluorinated polymers are speculated to be potential precursors to other non-polymeric aliphatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Limited knowledge of environmental occurrence of this compound class is partly due to lack of structural information and authentic standards. In this study, two novel fluorinated compounds, suspected to be side-chain fluorinated copolymers used in two commercial technical mixtures (Scotchgard™ Pre-2002 formulation and Scotchgard™ Post-2002 formulation) were analyzed and characterized in order to provide information to facilitate detection and quantification. The commercial mixtures were analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry; besides already reported C4- and C8-fluoroalkylsulfonamido (FASA) side-chains, a proposed structure was determined for the perfluorooctane (C8) sulfonamide-urethane copolymer in the Pre-2002 formulation. Structural isomers were also observed for C4- and C8-FASA-based copolymers. Total fluorine analysis revealed that the Scotchgard™ Pre-2002 Formulation contained a fluorine content of 0.5% and 1.8% for the Scotchgard™ Post-2002 Formulation. The equivalent FASA side-chain content was determined to be 0.8% for Pre-2002 and 3.1% for Post-2002. Both C4- and C8-FASA-based copolymers underwent hydrolysis and oxidation and were transformed to their respective perfluoroalkyl side chain, which suggest that transformation products can be analyzed for example after total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Both compounds were shown to strongly sorb to sediment particles, which also gives indications about their environmental fate and transport pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Fredriksson
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Sweden
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Eriksson
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Sweden
| | - Leo Wy Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Sweden.
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47
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Weidemann E, Lämmer R, Stahl T, Göckener B, Bücking M, Breuer J, Kowalczyk J, Just H, Boeddinghaus RS, Gassmann M. Leaching and Transformation of Perfluoroalkyl Acids and Polyfluoroalkyl Phosphate Diesters in Unsaturated Soil Column Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2065-2077. [PMID: 35751449 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5417] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally ubiquitous, anthropogenic substances with adverse effects on organisms, which shows the need to study their environmental fate and leaching behavior. In the present soil columns study, the leaching behavior and fate of nontransformable and transformable (precursors) were investigated. Ten nontransformable PFAS in two different soils, two precursors and two field soils, which were already contaminated with a mixture of PFAS, and two uncontaminated controls, were set up for a time span of 2 years. At the end of the study, the molecular balance could not be closed for nontransformable PFAS. This effect was positively correlated to the fluorinated carbon chain length. The precursors, which were both polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters (diPAP), had different transformation products and transformation rates, with a higher rate for 6:2 diPAP than 8:2 diPAP. After 2 years, amounts of diPAP were still found in the soil with no significant vertical movement, showing high adsorption to soils. Transformation products were estimated to be simultaneously formed. They were predominantly found in the percolation water; the amounts left in soil were negligible. Up to half of the initial precursor amounts could not be balanced and were considered missing amounts. The results of contaminated field soil experiments showed the challenge to estimate PFAS leaching without knowing all occurring precursors and complex transformation dynamics. For this purpose, it was shown that a broad examination of contaminated soil with different analytical methods can help with qualitative estimations of leaching risks. For a better quantitative estimation, analytical determination of more PFAS and a quantification of the missing amounts are needed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2065-2077. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Weidemann
- Department of Hydrology and Substance Balance, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
| | - René Lämmer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stahl
- Chemical and Veterinary Analytical Institute Münsterland-Emscher-Lippe, Münster, Germany
| | - Bernd Göckener
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Mark Bücking
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jörn Breuer
- Center for Agricultural Technology Augustenberg (LTZ), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - Hildegard Just
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Gassmann
- Department of Hydrology and Substance Balance, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
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48
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Niarchos G, Ahrens L, Kleja DB, Fagerlund F. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) retention by colloidal activated carbon (CAC) using dynamic column experiments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119667. [PMID: 35750303 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Developing effective remediation methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-contaminated soils is a substantial step towards counteracting their widespread occurrence and protecting our ecosystems and drinking water sources. Stabilisation of PFAS in the subsurface using colloidal activated carbon (CAC) is an innovative, yet promising technique, requiring better understanding. In this study, dynamic soil column tests were used to assess the retardation of 10 classical perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) (C5-C11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and C4, C6, C8 perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs)) as well as two alternative PFAS (6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates) using CAC at 0.03% w/w, to investigate the fate and transport of PFAS under CAC treatment applications. Results showed high retardation rates for long-chain PFAS and eight times higher retardation for the CAC-treated soil compared to the non-treated reference soil for the ∑PFAS. Replacement of shorter chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), such as perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), by longer chained PFAS was observed, indicating competition effects. Partitioning coefficients (Kd values) were calculated for the CAC fraction at ∼103-105 L kg-1 for individual PFAS, while there was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between perfluorocarbon chain length and Kd. Mass balance calculations showed 37% retention of ∑PFAS in treated soil columns after completion of the experiments and 99.7% higher retention rates than the reference soil. Redistribution and elution of CAC were noticed and quantified through organic carbon analysis, which showed a 23% loss of carbon during the experiments. These findings are a step towards better understanding the extent of CAC's potential for remediation of PFAS-contaminated soil and groundwater and the limitations of its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Niarchos
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dan Berggren Kleja
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P. O. Box 7090, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fritjof Fagerlund
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 256, SE-751 05, Uppsala, Sweden
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49
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Brusseau ML, Guo B. PFAS concentrations in soil versus soil porewater: Mass distributions and the impact of adsorption at air-water interfaces. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 302:134938. [PMID: 35568214 PMCID: PMC9667730 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Determining the risk posed by PFAS leaching from soil to groundwater requires quantification of the magnitude and temporal/spatial variability of PFAS mass discharge from the vadose zone, which is governed in part by the concentrations of PFAS in soil porewater. Porewater concentrations are impacted and mediated by the properties of the PFAS and soil, multiple transport and fate processes, and site conditions. The objective of this research was to delineate the relationship between soil porewater concentrations and soil concentrations, based on a comprehensive model of PFAS mass distribution within a soil sample volume. Measured parameters representing solid-phase sorption and air-water interfacial adsorption are used to illustrate the impact of soil and PFAS properties on the distribution of representative PFAS between soil and soil porewater. Literature data reported for soil and soil porewater concentrations of several PFAS obtained from outdoor lysimeter experiments are used to test the distribution model. Soil-to-porewater concentration ratios predicted with the model compared very well to the measured concentration ratios. The nondimensional distribution coefficient that describes the distribution of PFAS mass amongst all domains within a soil sample was observed to be a function of PFAS molecular size. Numerical simulations conducted for a model fire-training source area were used to illustrate the ranges in magnitude of soil versus porewater concentrations for representative field conditions. The results of the measured and simulated data sets demonstrated the importance of air-water interfacial adsorption for the distribution of the longer-chain PFAS within soil samples. PFAS soil porewater concentrations are anticipated to range from ng/L to mg/L depending upon soil concentrations, which in turn depend upon the nature of the site.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Brusseau
- Environmental Science Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States; Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States.
| | - B Guo
- Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
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Qi Y, Cao H, Pan W, Wang C, Liang Y. The role of dissolved organic matter during Per- and Polyfluorinated Substance (PFAS) adsorption, degradation, and plant uptake: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 436:129139. [PMID: 35605500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The negative effects of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the environment and health have recently attracted much attention. This article reviews the influence of soil- and water-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the environmental fate of PFAS. In addition to being co-adsorped with PFAS to increase the adsorption capacity, DOM competes with PFAS for adsorption sites on the surface of the material, thereby reducing the removal rate of PFAS or increasing water solubility, which facilitates desorption of PFAS in the soil. It can quench some active species and inhibit the degradation of PFAS. In contrast, before DOM in water self-degrades, DOM has a greater promoting effect on the degradation of PFAS because DOM can complex with iron, iodine, among others, and act as an electron shuttle to enhance electron transfer. In soil aggregates, DOM can prevent microorganisms from being poisoned by direct exposure to PFAS. In addition, DOM increases the desorption of PFAS in plant root soil, affecting its bioavailability. In general, DOM plays a bidirectional role in adsorption, degradation, and plant uptake of PFAS, which depends on the types and functional groups of DOM. It is necessary to enhance the positive role of DOM in reducing the environmental risks posed by PFAS. In future, attention should be paid to the DOM-induced reduction of PFAS and development of a green and efficient continuous defluorination technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Qi
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huimin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Weijie Pan
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Cuiping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Yanna Liang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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