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Lorah MM, He K, Blaney L, Akob DM, Harris C, Tokranov A, Hopkins Z, Shedd BP. Anaerobic biodegradation of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and microbial community composition in soil amended with a dechlorinating culture and chlorinated solvents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:172996. [PMID: 38719042 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172996] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), one of the most frequently detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurring in soil, surface water, and groundwater near sites contaminated with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), has proven to be recalcitrant to many destructive remedies, including chemical oxidation. We investigated the potential to utilize microbially mediated reduction (bioreduction) to degrade PFOS and other PFAS through addition of a known dehalogenating culture, WBC-2, to soil obtained from an AFFF-contaminated site. A substantial decrease in total mass of PFOS (soil and water) was observed in microcosms amended with WBC-2 and chlorinated volatile organic compound (cVOC) co-contaminants - 46.4 ± 11.0 % removal of PFOS over the 45-day experiment. In contrast, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) concentrations did not decrease in the same microcosms. The low or non-detectable concentrations of potential metabolites in full PFAS analyses, including after application of the total oxidizable precursor assay, indicated that defluorination occurred to non-fluorinated compounds or ultrashort-chain PFAS. Nevertheless, additional research on the metabolites and degradation pathways is needed. Population abundances of known dehalorespirers did not change with PFOS removal during the experiment, making their association with PFOS removal unclear. An increased abundance of sulfate reducers in the genus Desulfosporosinus (Firmicutes) and Sulfurospirillum (Campilobacterota) was observed with PFOS removal, most likely linked to initiation of biodegradation by desulfonation. These results have important implications for development of in situ bioremediation methods for PFAS and advancing knowledge of natural attenuation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Lorah
- U.S. Geological Survey, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA.
| | - Ke He
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Lee Blaney
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Denise M Akob
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy, & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA
| | - Cassandra Harris
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy, & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA
| | - Andrea Tokranov
- U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Pembroke, NH 03275, USA
| | - Zachary Hopkins
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
| | - Brian P Shedd
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. DOD Environmental Programs Branch, Environmental Division, Headquarters, Washington, D.C. 20314, USA
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2
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Li Y, Zhao X, Li X, Zhang Y, Niu Z. The investigation of the enrichment behavior of identified PFAS and unknown PFAA-precursors in water and suspended particulate matter of the surface microlayer: A case study in Tianjin (China). WATER RESEARCH 2024; 260:121944. [PMID: 38909422 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
The surface microlayer (SML) is an important air water interface layer, known as the skin of the ocean, which has chemical enrichment properties. Chemical enrichment in the SML can affect the occurrence of pollutants in the underlying water and air samples. Although the enrichment of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), a class of persistent organic pollutants of high concern, has been reported in the SML, information on the behavior of unknown PFAA-precursors in SML is lacked, and it is not clear whether there is a similar PFAS enrichment in suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the SML. Therefore, to investigate these questions, we conducted a systematic survey of 24 PFAS in 11 paired water and SPM samples from the SML and underlying water (U50cm and U2m) from the Duliujian River, which flows to the Bohai sea in Tianjin, China. The ∑PFAS mean concentrations in the water and SPM samples were 38.2 ng/L and 64.6 ng/g dw, respectively. The PFAS concentrations of PFAS in the SML were higher than those in the underlying water, and the enrichment factors (EFs) were greater in the SPM than that in the water. The long-chain PFAS EFs were greater than those for short-chain PFAS, indicating that the EFs were positively correlated with the hydrophobicity. Moreover, by applying the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay, the unknown PFAA-precursors (C5-C12) in the water and SPM contributed 11.4∼86.4 mol% and 7.1∼88.0 mol% to total PFAS, respectively. The ecological risk of the targeted PFAS in the SML was relatively higher than that in the underlying water, indicating that PFAS in the SML require more attention. Preliminary estimates indicate that the PFAS-enriched SML is an important exposure route that poses a potential risk to wildlife in rivers and oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xinhai Zhao
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Zhiguang Niu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; International Joint Institute of Tianjin University, Fuzhou 350205, China
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Hu M, Scott C. Toward the development of a molecular toolkit for the microbial remediation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0015724. [PMID: 38477530 PMCID: PMC11022551 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00157-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly fluorinated synthetic organic compounds that have been used extensively in various industries owing to their unique properties. The PFAS family encompasses diverse classes, with only a fraction being commercially relevant. These substances are found in the environment, including in water sources, soil, and wildlife, leading to human exposure and fueling concerns about potential human health impacts. Although PFAS degradation is challenging, biodegradation offers a promising, eco-friendly solution. Biodegradation has been effective for a variety of organic contaminants but is yet to be successful for PFAS due to a paucity of identified microbial species capable of transforming these compounds. Recent studies have investigated PFAS biotransformation and fluoride release; however, the number of specific microorganisms and enzymes with demonstrable activity with PFAS remains limited. This review discusses enzymes that could be used in PFAS metabolism, including haloacid dehalogenases, reductive dehalogenases, cytochromes P450, alkane and butane monooxygenases, peroxidases, laccases, desulfonases, and the mechanisms of microbial resistance to intracellular fluoride. Finally, we emphasize the potential of enzyme and microbial engineering to advance PFAS degradation strategies and provide insights for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Hu
- CSIRO Environment, Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Colin Scott
- CSIRO Environment, Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Peychev B, Arabadzhieva D, Minkov IL, Mileva E, Slavchov RI. Quantifying the Hydrophobic Effect per CF 2 Moiety from Adsorption of Fluorinated Alcohols at the Water/Oil Interface. Molecules 2024; 29:1421. [PMID: 38611701 PMCID: PMC11154390 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amphiphilic fluorocarbon substances are a trending topic of research due to their wide range of applications accompanied by an alarming environmental and health impact. In order to predict their fate in the environment, use them more economically, develop new water treatment methods, etc., a better understanding of their physicochemical behavior is required. Their hydrophobicity in water/oil systems is particularly sensitive to one key thermodynamic parameter: the free energy of transfer of a perfluoromethylene group from oil to water. However, for the -CF2- moiety, the transfer energy values reported in the literature vary by more than ±25%. Due to the exponential relationship between this energy and the adsorption constants or the partition coefficients, such an uncertainty can lead to orders of magnitude error in the predicted distribution of fluorinated species. We address this problem by presenting an experimental determination of the hydrophobic effect of a -CF2- moiety with a greater certainty than currently available. The transfer energy is determined by measuring the interfacial tension of water|hexane for aqueous solutions of short-chained fluorotelomer alcohols. The obtained results for the free energy of transfer of a -CF2- moiety from oil to water are 1.68±0.02×RT0, 1.75±0.02×RT0, and 1.88±0.02×RT0 at 288.15 K, 293.15 K, and 303.15 K, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Peychev
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Dimitrinka Arabadzhieva
- Rostislaw Kaischew Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.A.); (I.L.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Ivan L. Minkov
- Rostislaw Kaischew Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.A.); (I.L.M.); (E.M.)
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University, 1 Koziak Str., 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Elena Mileva
- Rostislaw Kaischew Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (D.A.); (I.L.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Radomir I. Slavchov
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
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Ou J, Song Y, Zhong X, Dai L, Chen J, Zhang W, Yang C, Wang J, Zhang W. Perfluorooctanoic acid induces Leydig cell injury via inhibition of autophagosomes formation and activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:169861. [PMID: 38185161 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169861] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a man-made chemical broadly distributed in various ecological environment and human bodies, which poses potential health risks. Its toxicity, especially the male reproduction toxicity has drawn increasing attention due to declining birth rates in recent years. However, how PFOA induces male reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Here, we characterize PFOA-induced cell injury and reveal the underlying mechanism in mouse Leydig cells, which are critical to spermatogenesis in the testes. We show that PFOA induces cell injury as evidenced by reduced cell viability, cell morphology changes and apoptosis induction. RNA-sequencing analysis reveals that PFOA-induced cell injury is correlated with compromised autophagy and activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, two conserved biological processes required for regulating cellular homeostasis. Mechanistic analysis shows that PFOA inhibits autophagosomes formation, and activation of autophagy rescues PFOA-induced apoptosis. Additionally, PFOA activates ER stress, and pharmacological inhibition of ER stress attenuates PFOA-induced cell injury. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PFOA induces cell injury through inhibition of autophagosomes formation and induction of ER stress in Leydig cells. Thus, our study sheds light on the cellular mechanisms of PFOA-induced Leydig cell injury, which may be suggestive to human male reproductive health risk assessment and prevention from PFOA exposure-induced reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhuan Ou
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yali Song
- Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base of Southern Medical University, Dongguan 523125, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoru Zhong
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lingyun Dai
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junhui Chen
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenqiao Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Chuanbin Yang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China; Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base of Southern Medical University, Dongguan 523125, Guangdong, China; Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou 646000, China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital; the First Affiliated Hospital of South University of Science and Technology of China; the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China.
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6
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Kapuscinski RB. Research Needs Regarding the Vapor Intrusion Potential of Volatile Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4056-4059. [PMID: 38393774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Certain per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances [e.g., fluorotelomer alcohols (FtOHs), perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), and perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs)] have sufficient volatility to merit investigation of the vapor intrusion pathway on a site-specific basis, when they occur as subsurface contaminants in sufficient concentrations near occupied buildings. This perspective summarizes some of the evidence that these categories of per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances are volatile and offers specific research questions and objectives, for purposes of further assessing whether FtOHs, FOSAs, and/or FOSEs can pose indoor exposures via soil vapor intrusion and under what circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Kapuscinski
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, William Jefferson Clinton Building (MC 5202T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, United States
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7
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Tang Z, Vogel TM, Wang Q, Wei C, Ali M, Song X. Microbial defluorination of TFA, PFOA, and HFPO-DA by a native microbial consortium under anoxic conditions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133217. [PMID: 38101019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the biodegradability of trifluoroacetate (TFA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid (HFPO-DA) by a native microbial community was evaluated over a 10-month incubation period. The observed microbial defluorination ratios and removal efficiency were 3.46 ( ± 2.73) % and 8.03 ( ± 3.03) %, 8.44 ( ± 1.88) % and 13.52 ( ± 4.96) %, 3.02 ( ± 0.62) % and 5.45 ( ± 2.99) % for TFA, PFOA and HFPO-DA, respectively. The biodegradation intermediate products, TFA and pentafluoropropionic acid (PFA), of PFOA and HFPO-DA were detected in their biodegradation treatment groups. Furthermore, the concentrations of the PFOA metabolites, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), in the aqueous solutions after incubation were quantified to be 0.21 and 4.14 µg/L. TFA, PFOA and HFPO-DA significantly reduced the microbial diversity and changed the structure of the community. The co-occurrence network analysis showed that low abundance species, such as Flexilinea flocculi, Bacteriovorax stolpii, and g_Sphingomonas, are positively correlated with the generation of fluoride ion, implying their potential collaborative functions contributing to the observed biodefluorination. The findings in this study can provide insights for the biodegradation of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and their emerging alternatives by indigenous microorganisms in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Tang
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Timothy M Vogel
- Ecologie Microbienne, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne F-69622, France
| | - Qing Wang
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Changlong Wei
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Mukhtiar Ali
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Song
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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8
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Anderson RH, Modiri M. Application of Gaussian mixture models to quantify the upper background threshold for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in U.S. surface soil. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:229. [PMID: 38306000 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12400-z] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Studies on the occurrence and environmental distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have clearly demonstrated their ubiquity in surface soil as a result of historic and ongoing emissions from various manufacturing and industrial activities worldwide. Given global efforts to characterize and mitigate risk from point source-impacted sites, there is, thus, an urgent need to quantify nonpoint source threshold concentrations (i.e., background) to support site management decisions particularly for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as a top priority. Accordingly, this study evaluated the application of Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) fitted to log-transformed PFOS concentrations using nation-wide metadata consisting of thousands of surface soil samples representative of both background and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) impacts with unknown proportion. Multiple GMMs were fitted for a given number of components using different methods to account for bias associated with a marginal non-detect fraction (n = 8%) including exclusion, substitution, and imputation. Careful evaluation of the rate of change among multiple goodness-of-fit measures universally justified fitting a 2-component GMM; thus, discriminating between background and AFFF-impacted samples among the metadata. Background threshold PFOS concentrations were defined as the intersection of the probability density functions and ranged between 1.9 and 13.8 µg/kg within a broader concentration range extending up to ~ 50,000 µg/kg reflecting AFFF impacts. By demonstrating an innovative statistical approach that intelligently incorporates different criteria for model selection, this research makes significant contributions to risk mitigation efforts at point source-impacted sites and lays the groundwork for future targeted regulatory actions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahsa Modiri
- EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc, PCB, Hunt Valley, MD, 21031, USA
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Cogorno J, Rolle M. Impact of Variable Water Chemistry on PFOS-Goethite Interactions: Experimental Evidence and Surface Complexation Modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1731-1740. [PMID: 38206803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) has become a major concern due to its widespread occurrence in the environment and severe toxic effects. In this study, we investigate PFOS sorption on goethite surfaces under different water chemistry conditions to understand the impact of variable groundwater chemistry. Our investigation is based on multiple lines of evidence, including (i) a series of sorption experiments with varying pH, ionic strength, and PFOS initial concentration, (ii) IR spectroscopy analysis, and (iii) surface complexation modeling. PFOS was found to bind to goethite through a strong hydrogen-bonded (HB) complex and a weaker outer-sphere complex involving Na+ coadsorption (OS-Na+). The pH and ionic strength of the solution had a nontrivial impact on the speciation and coexistence of these surface complexes. Acidic conditions and low ionic strength promoted hydrogen bonding between the sulfonate headgroup and protonated hydroxo surface sites. Higher electrolyte concentrations and pH values hindered the formation of strong hydrogen bonds upon the formation of a ternary PFOS-Na+-goethite outer-sphere complex. The findings of this study illuminate the key control of variable solution chemistry on PFOS adsorption to mineral surfaces and the importance to develop surface complexation models integrating mechanistic insights for the accurate prediction of PFOS mobility and environmental fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Cogorno
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Sino-Danish College (SDC), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Massimo Rolle
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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Zhang R, Yu G, Luo T, Zeng X, Sun Y, Huang B, Liu Y, Zhang J. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profile changes in the liver of Sprague Dawley rat offspring after maternal PFOS exposure during gestation and lactation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 270:115862. [PMID: 38157801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115862] [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] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiological and experimental research has indicated an association between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure and liver disease. However, the potential hepatotoxic effects and mechanisms of low-level prenatal PFOS exposure in offspring remain ambiguous. The objective of this research was to examine the alterations in liver transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles in offspring rats at postnatal day (PND) 30 following gestational and lactational exposure to PFOS (from gestational day 1 to 20 and PND 1 to 21). Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into a control group (3% starch gel solution, oral gavage) and a PFOS exposure group (0.03 mg/kg body weight per day, oral gavage). Histopathological changes in liver sections were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Biochemical analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were utilized to identify significant genes and metabolites associated with alterations of liver glucose and lipid metabolism through an integrated multi-omics analysis. No significant differences were found in the measured biochemical parameters. In total, 167 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to processes such as steroid biosynthesis, PPAR signaling pathway, and fat digestion and absorption were identified in offspring rats in the PFOS exposure group. Ninety-five altered metabolites were exhibited in the PFOS exposure group, such as heptaethylene glycol, lysoPE (0:0/18:0), lucidenic acid K, and p-Cresol sulfate. DEGs associated with steroid biosynthesis, PPAR signaling pathway, fat digestion and absorption were significantly upregulated in the PFOS exposure group (P < 0.05). The analysis of correlations indicated that there was a significant inverse correlation between all identified differential metabolites and the levels of fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides in the PFOS exposure group (P < 0.05). Our findings demystify that early-life PFOS exposure can lead to alterations in transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles in the offspring's liver, which provided mechanistic insights into the potential hepatotoxicity and developmental toxicity associated with environmentally relevant levels of PFOS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyuan Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqi Yu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China; Global Center for Asian Women's Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tingyu Luo
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, 541001 Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaojing Zeng
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Sun
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, 541001 Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Bo Huang
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, 541001 Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environment Sciences, 200233, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Xingchun J, Wei Z, Jing P, Guohui L, Dian C, Zhaohe Z, Yiran Z. The occurrence, spatial distribution, and well-depth dependence of PFASs in groundwater from a reclaimed water irrigation area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165904. [PMID: 37527708 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
With the growing development of modern agriculture and industry, groundwater is facing more and more complex contaminants. One such contaminant is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which pose a potential risk to human health, particularly for those who rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on the occurrence, spatial distribution, and source apportionment of PFASs in shallow (<60 m) and deep (>80 m) groundwater samples from a reclaimed water irrigation area in Beijing's suburbs. Our results showed that the average total PFAS concentration (∑10PFAS) for all samples was 10.55 ± 7.77 ng/L, ranging from 1.05 to 34.28 ng/L. The dominant congeners were PFBA, PFOA, and PFBS. No significant linear relationship was observed between PFAS concentrations and the well depth. However, the averaged ΣPFASs in groundwater were highest in the uppermost layer and declined sharply to a few ng/L in the deep aquifer below 80 m. PFASs showed elevated concentration in shallow aquifers in 9 out of 11 paired wells, indicating an overall descending trend of PFASs with increasing aquifer depth. The spatial distribution of PFASs was highly heterogeneous and showed different patterns in shallow and deep groundwater, which may be related to the complicated attenuation behavior of PFAS compounds when they transport and diffuse through overlapping aquifer layers. The influence of the landfill on groundwater PFASs was most pronounced within a 5 km radius. Source apportionment results indicated that reclaimed water irrigation is the main non-point source of PFASs in shallow groundwater. In contrast, deep groundwater is primarily subject to point sources and lateral recharge flow. This investigation of PFASs in shallow and deep wells provides a foundation for further exploration of PFASs transportation and risk prevention in regions where groundwater is a major water resource for domestic and industrial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Xingchun
- National Research Center for Geoanalysis, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China.
| | - Zhao Wei
- Beijing Institute of Geological Environment Monitoring, China
| | - Pan Jing
- Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China
| | - Lu Guohui
- National Research Center for Geoanalysis, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China
| | - Chen Dian
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences Beijing, China
| | - Zhang Zhaohe
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Yiran
- National Research Center for Geoanalysis, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China
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12
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Silver M, Phelps W, Masarik K, Burke K, Zhang C, Schwartz A, Wang M, Nitka AL, Schutz J, Trainor T, Washington JW, Rheineck BD. Prevalence and Source Tracing of PFAS in Shallow Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in Wisconsin, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:17415-17426. [PMID: 37916814 PMCID: PMC10653221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Samples from 450 homes with shallow private wells throughout the state of Wisconsin (USA) were collected and analyzed for 44 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), general water quality parameters, and indicators of human waste as well as agricultural influence. At least one PFAS was detected in 71% of the study samples, and 22 of the 44 PFAS analytes were detected in one or more samples. Levels of PFOA and/or PFOS exceeded the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels of 4 ng/L, put forward by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2023, in 17 of the 450 samples, with two additional samples containing PFHxS ≳ 9 ng/L (the EPA-proposed hazard index reference value). Those samples above the referenced PFAS levels tend to be associated with developed land and human waste indicators (artificial sweeteners and pharmaceuticals), which can be released to groundwater via septic systems. For a few samples with levels of PFOA, PFOS, and/or PFHxS > 40 ng/L, application of wastes to agricultural land is a possible source. Overall, the study suggests that human waste sources, septic systems in particular, are important sources of perfluoroalkyl acids, especially ones with ≤8 perfluorinated carbons, in shallow groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Silver
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - William Phelps
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Kevin Masarik
- Center
for Watershed Science and Education, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, United States
| | - Kyle Burke
- Environmental
Health Division—Organics, Wisconsin
State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Chen Zhang
- Environmental
Health Division—Organics, Wisconsin
State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Alex Schwartz
- Environmental
Health Division—Organics, Wisconsin
State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Miaoyan Wang
- Department
of Statistics, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Amy L. Nitka
- Center
for Watershed Science and Education, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, United States
| | - Jordan Schutz
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
| | - Tom Trainor
- Bureau
of Environmental Analysis and Sustainability − Laboratory Certification, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54313, United States
| | - John W. Washington
- Center
for
Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, United States
| | - Bruce D. Rheineck
- Bureau
of Drinking Water and Groundwater—Groundwater Section, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, United States
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13
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Zeppuhar AN, Rollins DS, Huber DL, Bazan-Bergamino EA, Chen F, Evans HA, Taylor MK. Linkage Transformations in a Three-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for High-Capacity Adsorption of Perfluoroalkyl Substances. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37922460 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite their many advantages, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) built from three-dimensional monomers are synthetically difficult to functionalize. Herein, we provide a new synthetic approach to the functionalization of a three-dimensional covalent organic framework (COF-300) by using a series of solid-state linkage transformations. By reducing the imine linkages of the framework to amine linkages, we produced a more hydrolytically stable material and liberated a nucleophilic amino group, poised for further functionalization. We then treated the amine-linked COF with diverse electrophiles to generate a library of functionalized materials, which we tested for their ability to adsorb perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The framework functionalized with dimethylammonium groups, COF-300-dimethyl, adsorbed more than 250 mg of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) per 1 g of COF, which represents an approximately 14,500-fold improvement over that of COF-300 and underscores the importance of electrostatic interactions to PFAS adsorption performance. This work provides a conceptually new approach to the design and synthesis of functional three-dimensional COFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N Zeppuhar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Devin S Rollins
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Dale L Huber
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, United States
| | - Emmanuel A Bazan-Bergamino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Fu Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Hayden A Evans
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, United States
| | - Mercedes K Taylor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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14
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Song D, Qiao B, Yao Y, Zhao L, Wang X, Chen H, Zhu L, Sun H. Target and nontarget analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water, groundwater and sediments of three typical fluorochemical industrial parks in China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132411. [PMID: 37666171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to identify both legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from three typical fluoridated industrial parks (FIPs) in China, and to assess their environmental occurrence and fate. Complementary suspect target and nontarget screening were implemented, and a total of 111 emerging PFAS were identified. Based on the multi-mass scale analysis, 25 emerging PFAS were identified for the first time, including 24 per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) and 1 ultra-short chlorinated perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (Cl-PFCAs, C2), with a maximum percentage of 48.2 % in nontarget PFAS (exclude target PFAS). The composition of PFAS identified in different media was influenced by functional groups, carbon chain length, substituents and ether bond insertion, with poly-hydrogen substituted being preferably in water and a more diverse pattern of PFECAs in sediments. The patterns of PFAS homologs revealed distinct differences among the three typical FIPs in the shift of PFAS production patterns. The C4-PFAS and short-chain carboxylic acids (≤C6) were the main PFAS in the Fuxin and Changshu, respectively. In contrast, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, C8) remained dominant in Zibo, and the highest point concentrations in water and sediment were up to 706 µg/L and 553 µg/g, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongbao Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Biting Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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15
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Smith SJ, Keane C, Ahrens L, Wiberg K. Integrated Treatment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Existing Wastewater Treatment Plants-Scoping the Potential of Foam Partitioning. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2023; 3:1276-1285. [PMID: 37705672 PMCID: PMC10496112 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.3c00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Foam fractionation is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment technology for water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). At many existing wastewater treatment facilities, particularly in aerated treatment steps, foam formation is frequently observed. This study aimed to investigate if foam fractionation for the removal of PFAS could be integrated with such existing treatment processes. Influent, effluent, water under the foam, and foam were sampled from ten different wastewater treatment facilities where foam formation was observed. These samples were analyzed for the concentration of 29 PFAS, also after the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Enrichment factors were defined as the PFAS concentration in the foam divided by the PFAS concentration in the influent. Although foam partitioning did not lead to decreased ∑PFAS concentrations from influent to effluent in any of the plants, certain long-chain PFAS were removed with efficiencies up to 76%. Moreover, ∑PFAS enrichment factors in the foam ranged up to 105, and enrichment factors of individual PFAS ranged even up to 106. Moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) were more effective at enriching PFAS in the foam than activated sludge processes. Altogether, these high enrichment factors demonstrate that foam partitioning in existing wastewater treatment plants is a promising option for integrated removal. Promoting foam formation and removing foam from the water surface with skimming devices may improve the removal efficiencies further. These findings have important implications for PFAS removal and sampling strategies at wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne J. Smith
- Department
of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chantal Keane
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department
of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department
of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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16
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Dai M, Yan N, Brusseau ML. Potential impact of bacteria on the transport of PFAS in porous media. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120350. [PMID: 37499541 PMCID: PMC10530518 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120350] [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: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The transport and fate of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and groundwater is a topic of critical concern. A number of factors and processes may influence the transport and fate of PFAS in porous media. One factor that has received minimal attention to date is the impact of bacteria on the retention and transport of PFAS, which is the focus of this current study. The first part of this work comprised a critical review of prior studies to delineate observed PFAS-bacteria interactions and to summarize the mechanisms of PFAS sorption and retention by bacteria. Retention of PFAS by bacteria can occur through sorption onto cell surfaces and/or by incorporation into the cell interior. Factors such as the molecular structure of PFAS, solution chemistry, and bacterial species can affect the magnitude of PFAS sorption. The influence of bacteria on the retention and transport of PFAS was investigated in the second part of the study with a series of batch and miscible-displacement experiments. Batch experiments were conducted using Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis to quantify the sorption of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The results indicated that both bacteria showed strong adsorption of PFOS, with no significant difference in adsorption capacity. Miscible-displacement experiments were then conducted to examine the retention and transport of PFOS in both untreated sand and sand inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Bacillus subtilis for 1 and 3 days. The transport of PFOS exhibited greater retardation for the experiments with inoculated sand. Furthermore, the enhanced sorption was greater for the 3-day inoculation compared to the 1-day, indicating that biomass is an important factor affecting PFOS transport. A mathematical model representing transport with nonlinear and rate-limited sorption successfully simulated the observed PFOS transport. This study highlights the need for future studies to evaluate the effect of bacteria on the transport of PFAS in soil and groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Dai
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Ni Yan
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Mark L Brusseau
- Environmental Science Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States; Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
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17
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Rupp J, Guckert M, Berger U, Drost W, Mader A, Nödler K, Nürenberg G, Schulze J, Söhlmann R, Reemtsma T. Comprehensive target analysis and TOP assay of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild boar livers indicate contamination hot-spots in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162028. [PMID: 36740073 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of wild boar liver as a bioindicator of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the terrestrial environment was investigated. Samples from 50 animals in three different areas associated with (1) contaminated paper sludges distributed on arable land (PS), (2) industrial emissions of PFAS (IE) and (3) background contamination (BC) were analyzed for 66 PFAS, including legacy PFAS, novel substitutes and precursors of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Additionally, the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay was performed to determine the formation potential of PFAAs from precursors. In total, 31 PFAS were detected with site-specific contamination profiles. PFAS concentrations in livers from area PS and IE (567 and 944 μg kg-1 wet weight, respectively) were multiple times higher than from area BC (120 μg kg-1). The dominating PFAS were the legacy compounds perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in areas PS and BC (426 and 82 μg kg-1, respectively) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in area IE (650 μg kg-1). In area IE, the compounds 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (DONA) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) - which are used as substitutes for PFOA - were determined at 15 and 0.29 μg kg-1, respectively. The formation potential of PFAAs was highest in area PS, but generally lower than the contamination with PFAAs. The pattern of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in wild boar liver reflects the contamination of the local soil at the two hot-spot areas IE and PS. This first comparison of PFAS contamination between wild boars and soil suggests that wild boar livers are suitable bioindicators for PFAS contamination in the terrestrial environment. Moreover, in terrestrial samples from area IE, legacy PFAS were found to be retained for a longer period as compared to riverine samples (suspended particulate matter and chub filet).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Rupp
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Marc Guckert
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wiebke Drost
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Anneluise Mader
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nödler
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Gudrun Nürenberg
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jona Schulze
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Reiner Söhlmann
- District Office Rastatt, Office for Environment and Commercial Operator Inspection, Am Schlossplatz 5, 76437 Rastatt, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 3, 04301 Leipzig, Germany.
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18
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Babalola AA, Mohammed KA, Olaseni AA, Oyedele GT, Adedara IA, Rocha JBT, Farombi EO. Persistent oxidative injury and neurobehavioral impairment in adult male and female Nauphoeta cinerea exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 100:104135. [PMID: 37116629 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate if the toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an emerging persistent organic contaminant, is reversible or not in adult male and female Nauphoeta cinerea. Both sexes of Nauphoeta cinerea were separately exposed to 0, 1 and 5 mg/L PFOA in drinking water for 21 consecutive days. PFOA-exposed Nauphoeta cinerea exhibited significant deficits in the locomotor and exploratory capabilities with concomitant increase in anxiogenic behaviors which persisted after cessation of PFOA exposure. Moreover, PFOA-induced decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity persisted after cessation of PFOA exposure in both insects' sexes. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were increased in the midgut but restored to control following cessation of PFOA exposure. The increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide levels persisted in the head whereas they were abated in the midgut after cessation of PFOA exposure. However, PFOA-induced persistent increase in lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels in the head and midgut of insects. Collectively, PFOA exposure elicited persistent neurobehavioral and oxidative injury similarly in both sexes of adult Nauphoeta cinerea during this investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adesina A Babalola
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Khadija A Mohammed
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adeboye A Olaseni
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Gbemisola T Oyedele
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Isaac A Adedara
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
| | - Joao B T Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Natural and Exact Sciences (CCNE), Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Ebenezer O Farombi
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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19
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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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20
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Kirk AB, DeStefano A, Martin A, Kirk KC, Martin CF. A New Interpretation of Relative Importance on an Analysis of Per and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposures on Bone Mineral Density. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4539. [PMID: 36901546 PMCID: PMC10001796 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054539] [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: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relative contribution of environmental contaminants is an important, and frequently unanswered, question in human or ecological risk assessments. This interpretation of relative importance allows determination of the overall effect of a set of variables relative to other variables on an adverse health outcome. There are no underlying assumptions of independence of variables. The tool developed and used here is specifically designed for studying the effects of mixtures of chemicals on a particular function of the human body. METHODS We apply the approach to estimate the contributions of total exposure to six PFAS (perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, 2-(N-methyl-PFOSA) acetate, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid and perfluoroundecanoic acid) to loss of bone mineral density relative to other factors related to risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture, using data from subjects who participated in the US National Health Examination and Nutrition Surveys (NHANES) of 2013-2014. RESULTS PFAS exposures contribute to bone mineral density changes relative to the following variables: age, weight, height, vitamin D2 and D3, gender, race, sex hormone binding globulin, testosterone, and estradiol. CONCLUSION We note significant alterations to bone mineral density among more highly exposed adults and significant differences in effects between men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea B. Kirk
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Alisa DeStefano
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Alexander Martin
- Department of Computer Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Karli C. Kirk
- Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Clyde F. Martin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Fu J, Gao B, Xu H, Hao S, Ren J, Wu J, Sun Y. Effects of biofilms on the retention and transport of PFOA in saturated porous media. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130392. [PMID: 36444074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the fate and transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in soil and groundwater is essential to reliable assessments of its risks. This study investigated the impacts of Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis (BS), Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and wild microbiota (WM) biofilm on the transport of PFOA in saturated sand columns at two ionic strengths (i.e., 1.0 and 20.0 mM NaCl). The retention of PFOA in biofilm-coated sand columns was higher than that in uncoated sand columns, due to biofilm-induced reinforced hydrophobic interactions and surface roughness, and decreased zeta potential. However, the retention effects varied among biofilm bacterial species with PFOA retardation factors in PA, WM and BS columns of 1.29-1.38, 1.21-1.29 and 1.11-1.15, respectively. Notably, PA biofilm had the most pronounced effect on PFOA retention. While increasing ionic strength promoted the retention of PFOA in BS biofilm-coated sand, it had no significant impact on PFOA transport in PA and WM biofilm-coated sand. This could be attributed to the differences in biofilm composition, deviating the ionic strengths effects on electrostatic double layer compression. The advection dispersion equation coupled with two-site kinetic retention model well described the transport of PFOA in all saturated columns. Our findings reveal that biofilm plays important roles in PFOA transport in porous media, instructive for risk assessment and remediation of PFOA contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaju Fu
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hydrosciences Department, Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Hongxia Xu
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hydrosciences Department, Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shefeng Hao
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Ministry of Natural Resources Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210018, China
| | - Jinghua Ren
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Ministry of Natural Resources Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210018, China
| | - Jichun Wu
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hydrosciences Department, Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuanyuan Sun
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hydrosciences Department, Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (Arable), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Hitzelberger M, Khan NA, Mohamed RAM, Brusseau ML, Carroll KC. PFOS Mass Flux Reduction/Mass Removal: Impacts of a Lower-Permeability Sand Lens within Otherwise Homogeneous Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13675-13685. [PMID: 36126139 PMCID: PMC9664819 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02193] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is one of the most common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and is a significant risk driver for these emerging contaminants of concern. A series of two-dimensional flow cell experiments was conducted to investigate the impact of flow field heterogeneity on the transport, attenuation, and mass removal of PFOS. A simplified model heterogeneous system was employed consisting of a lower-permeability fine sand lens placed within a higher-permeability coarse sand matrix. Three nonreactive tracers with different aqueous diffusion coefficients, sodium chloride, pentafluorobenzoic acid, and β-cyclodextrin, were used to characterize the influence of diffusive mass transfer on transport and for comparison to PFOS results. The results confirm that the attenuation and subsequent mass removal of the nonreactive tracers and PFOS were influenced by mass transfer between the hydraulically less accessible zone and the coarser matrix (i.e., back diffusion). A mathematical model was used to simulate flow and transport, with the values for all input parameters determined independently. The model predictions provided good matches to the measured breakthrough curves, as well as to plots of reductions in mass flux as a function of mass removed. These results reveal the importance of molecular diffusion and pore water velocity variability even for systems with relatively minor hydraulic conductivity heterogeneity. The impacts of the diffusive mass transfer limitation were quantified using an empirical function relating reductions in contaminant mass flux (MFR) to mass removal (MR). Multi-step regression was used to quantify the nonlinear, multi-stage MFR/MR behavior observed for the heterogeneous experiments. The MFR/MR function adequately reproduced the measured data, which suggests that the MFR/MR approach can be used to evaluate PFOS removal from heterogeneous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hitzelberger
- New Mexico State University Department of Plant and Environmnetal Sciences, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Naima A Khan
- New Mexico State University Department of Plant and Environmnetal Sciences, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Ruba A M Mohamed
- New Mexico State University Department of Plant and Environmnetal Sciences, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Mark L Brusseau
- University of Arizona Environmental Science Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Kenneth C Carroll
- New Mexico State University Department of Plant and Environmnetal Sciences, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
- University of Arizona Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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