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Chu K, Ye F, Sereyvatanak KY, Zhang X, Li Q, Lu Y, Liu Y, Zhang G. Fugacity model covering abiotic and biotic matrices to investigate the transfer and fate of perfluoroalkyl acids in a large shallow lake of eastern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 952:175997. [PMID: 39233071 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175997] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Solving the challenges faced during the measurement of the cross-interface transfer of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in lakes is crucial for clarifying environmental behaviours of these chemicals and their efficient governance. This study developed a multimedia fugacity model based on the quantitative water-air-sediment interaction (QWASI) covering abiotic/biotic matrices to investigate the cross-interface transfer and fate of PFAAs in Luoma Lake, a typical PFAA-contaminated shallow lake in eastern China. The accuracy and reliability of the established model were confirmed using Percent bias and Monte Carlo simulation, respectively. Using the QWASI model, the multimedia transfer of the PFAAs and their accumulation and persistence in different sub-compartments were described and measured, and the differences among individual PFAAs were explored. The simulation results showed that the sedimentation and resuspension of PFAAs were the most intense cross-interfacial transfers, and the sediments served as a chemical sink in the long term. A significant negative correlation of NC-F (the number of CF bonds) with the relative outflow flux (TW·out-ct) but a positive correlation with the relative net transfer across the interface between water and aquatic plants (Tp-ct) was detected, indicating that the PFAA migration capacity decreased but the bioaccumulation potential increased with the CF bond number. The persistence in water (Pw) of individual PFAAs ranged from 19.65d (PFOA) to 32.22d (PFOS), with an average of 26.15d; their persistence in sediment (Ps) ranged from 432d (PFBA) to 3216d (PFOS), with an average of 1524d, increasing linearly with an increase in NC-F. The water advection flows into and out of the lake (QW·in and QW·out), the PFAA concentration of water inflow (CW·in), and bioconcentration factor of aquatic plants (BCFp) were the primary parameters sensitive to PFAAs in all sub-compartments, which are essential indexes for exploring promising remediation pathways for lacustrine PFAA contamination based on the fugacity model simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejian Chu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Fuzhu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
| | | | - Xu Zhang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Qiming Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Ying Lu
- Institute for Smart City of Chongqing University in Liyang, Liyang 213300, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Gang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
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Zhang Y, Wang C, Jia R, Long H, Zhou J, Sun G, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Rong X, Jiang Y. Transfer from ciliate to zebrafish: Unveiling mechanisms and combined effects of microplastics and heavy metals. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 479:135645. [PMID: 39191009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135645] [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: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The impacts and toxicological mechanisms of microplastics (MPs) or heavy metals on aquatic ecosystems have been the subject of extensive research and initial understanding. However, the combined toxicity of co-pollutants on organisms and cumulative toxic effects along the food chain are still underexplored. In this study, the ciliate protozoan Paramecium caudatum and zebrafish Danio rerio were used to represent the microbial loop and the higher trophic level, respectively, to illustrate the progressive exposure of MPs and cadmium (Cd2+). The findings indicate that MPs (ca. 1 ×105 items/L) containing with Cd2+ (below 0.1 µg/L) could permeate the bodies of zebrafish through trophic levels after primary ingestion by ciliates. This could cause adverse effects on zebrafish, including alterations in bioindicators (total sugar, triglycerides, lactate, and glycogen) associated with metabolism, delayed hepatic development, disruption of intestinal microbiota, DNA damage, inflammatory responses, and abnormal cellular apoptosis. In addition, the potential risks associated with the transfer of composite pollutants through the microbial loop into traditional food chain were examined, offering novel insights on the evaluation of the ecological risks associated with MPs. As observed, understanding the bioaccumulation and toxic effects of combined pollutants in zebrafish holds crucial implications for food safety and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs (Ocean University of China), Chinese Ministry of Education, and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Ruiqi Jia
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongan Long
- MoE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs (Ocean University of China), Chinese Ministry of Education, and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Gaojingwen Sun
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - YunLong Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhaoji Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaozhi Rong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs (Ocean University of China), Chinese Ministry of Education, and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Yong Jiang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; MoE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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Zhang Y, Sun H, Cao Y, Kalinowski MJ, Li M, Marelli B. Directed Assembly of Proteinaceous-Polysaccharide Nanofibrils to Fabricate Membranes for Emerging Contaminant Remediation. ACS NANO 2024; 18:25205-25215. [PMID: 39190742 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c07409] [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: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and heavy metals, are threatening the health of humans and ecosystems. Their removal from the environment remains challenging. Here, we designed silk fibroin-cellulose nanocrystal (silk-CNC) nanofibrillar and nanoporous membranes for emerging contaminant remediation. The protein-polysaccharide nanofibrils were fabricated by templating the assembly of silk fibroin using CNCs. Silk fibroin polymorphic nature combined with surface charge modulation of CNCs produced cationic silk-CNC(+) and anionic silk-CNC(-) nanofibrils that can target a broad spectrum of contaminants. Silk-CNC(+) nanofibrils and membranes exhibited antimicrobial properties and captured both short-chain heptafluorobutyric acid, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, and long-chain perfluorooctanoic acid by virtue of hydrophobic attraction from β-sheeted silk fibroin and electrostatic interactions with CNC(+). Silk-CNC(-) provided the opportunity to target cations such as heavy metal cocontaminants. The nanofabrication of biopolymer-based membranes combines high performance with environmentally benign and cost-effective removal of emerging contaminants for water purification, wastewater treatment, and remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yunteng Cao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Maxwell J Kalinowski
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Benedetto Marelli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Usman M, Chaudhary A, Hanna K. Efficient PFAS removal from contaminated soils through combined washing and adsorption in soil effluents. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135118. [PMID: 38981229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates soil washing as a viable strategy to remove poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated soils using various washing agents including water, methanol, ethanol, and cyclodextrin ((2-Hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin HPCD)). Water was less effective (removing only 30 % of PFAS), especially for long-chain hydrophobic PFAS. Methanol (50 % v/v) or HPCD (10 mg g-1 soil) achieved > 95 % PFAS removal regardless of PFAS type, soil size fraction (0-400 µm or 400-800 µm), or experimental setups (batch or column, at liquid/solid (L/S) = 1). Column optimization studies revealed improved efficiency at L/S = 10 with diluted washing solutions, where HPCD exhibited rapid PFAS mobilization even at lower concentrations (1 mg mL-1). We then applied a first-order decay model to effectively predict PFAS breakthrough curves and mobilization within soil columns. Subsequent treatment of wash effluents by activated carbon and biochar effectively reduced PFAS concentrations below detection limits. The performance of both soil washing and subsequent adsorption was found to depend strongly on the specific characteristics of PFAS compounds. These findings highlight the significant potential of methanol and HPCD in soil washing and the effectiveness of integrated soil washing and adsorption for optimizing PFAS removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Usman
- Université de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Aaifa Chaudhary
- Université de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France; Environmental Mineralogy & Chemistry, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Khalil Hanna
- Université de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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Zhu Y, Chen F, Jiang F, Hua Z, Luo Z, Ma J. Enhanced remediation of PFAS-metal co-contaminated soil by ceramsite supported Fe 3O 4-MoS 2 heterojunction as a high-performance piezocatalyst. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 365:121716. [PMID: 38968897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121716] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, a novel piezoremediation system was developed to remediate an actual soil co-polluted by high contents of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, 5725 μg/kg soil) and heavy metals (6455 mg/kg soil). Two piezocatalysts, MoS2/ceramsite (MC) and Fe3O4-MoS2/ceramsite (FMC), were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal-coprecipitation method. These two materials were employed to treat the co-contaminated soil in soil slurry environment under sonication. FMC exhibited significantly higher piezoremediation performance than MC, wherein 91.6% of PFAS, 97.8% of Cr6+ ions and 81% of total metals (Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni) were removed from the soil after 50 min of the FMC piezoremediation process. FMC also exhibited the advantages of easy separation from the slurry phase and excellent reusability. In comparison with MC, the Fe3O4-MoS2 heterojunction in FMC can stabilize MoS2 particles on the surface of ceramsite granules, promote the separation of electron/hole pairs, accelerate charge transfer, therefore enhancing piezocatalytic performance. The electron spin resonance analysis and free radical quenching tests show that •OH was the dominant oxidative radical responsible for PFAS degradation. The count of bacteria and the bacterial community structure in the treated soil can be basically restored to the initial states after 30 days of incubation under nutrient stimulation. Overall, this study not only provides a deep insight on soil remediation process, but also offers an efficient and reliable technique for simultaneous decontamination of organic and metal pollutants in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Zhu
- School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221008, China
| | - Fu Chen
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211000, China; Observation Research Station of Land Ecology and Land Use in the Yangtze River Delta, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Feifei Jiang
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211000, China; Observation Research Station of Land Ecology and Land Use in the Yangtze River Delta, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ziyi Hua
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211000, China
| | - Zhanbin Luo
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211000, China
| | - Jing Ma
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211000, China
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Ooka M, Sakamuru S, Zhao J, Qu Y, Fang Y, Tao D, Huang R, Ferguson S, Reif D, Simeonov A, Xia M. Use of Tox21 screening data to profile PFAS bioactivities on nuclear receptors, cellular stress pathways, and cytochrome p450 enzymes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 473:134642. [PMID: 38776814 PMCID: PMC11181952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134642] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals widely used in commercial products. PFAS are a global concern due to their persistence in the environment and extensive associations with adverse health outcomes. While legacy PFAS have been extensively studied, many non-legacy PFAS lack sufficient toxicity information. In this study, we first analyzed the bioactivity of PFAS using Tox21 screening data surveying more than 75 assay endpoints (e.g., nuclear receptors, stress response, and metabolism) to understand the toxicity of non-legacy PFAS and investigate potential new targets of PFAS. From the Tox21 screening data analysis, we confirmed several known PFAS targets/pathways and identified several potential novel targets/pathways of PFAS. To confirm the effect of PFAS on these novel targets/pathways, we conducted several cell- and enzyme-based assays in the follow-up studies. We found PFAS inhibited cytochromes P450s (CYPs), especially CYP2C9 with IC50 values of < 1 µM. Considering PFAS affected other targets/pathways at > 10 µM, PFAS have a higher affinity to CYP2C9. This PFAS-CYP2C9 interaction was further investigated using molecular docking analysis. The result suggested that PFAS directly bind to the active sites of CYP2C9. These findings have important implications to understand the mechanism of PFAS action and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Ooka
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Srilatha Sakamuru
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yanyan Qu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuhong Fang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dingyin Tao
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephen Ferguson
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - David Reif
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Li X, Wang Q, Li Q, Wang Y, Tian Y, He A, Chen Y, Si S. Biological effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on running water ecosystems: A case study in Beiluo River, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 468:133808. [PMID: 38387177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133808] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants that pose a threat to the biodiversity of the Beiluo River, a polluted watercourse on the Loess Plateau impacted by diverse human activities. However, the occurrence, spatial distribution, and substitution characteristics of PFASs in this region remain unclear. This study aimed to unravel PFAS distribution patterns and their impact on the aquatic ecosystems of the Beiluo River Basin. The total PFAS concentration in the area ranged from 16.64-35.70 ng/L, with predominantly perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), collectively contributing 94%. The Mantel test revealed threats to aquatic communities from both legacy long-chain (perfluorooctanoic acid and sodium perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and emerging (6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, 2-Perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid, and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (Gen-X)) PFSAs. The canonical correspondence analysis ordination indicated that trace quantities of emerging PFASs, specifically 2-Perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (Gen-X), significantly influenced geographical variations in aquatic communities. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of comprehensively exploring the ecological implications and potential risks associated with PFASs in the Beiluo River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Li
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Qi Li
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yulu Tian
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Anen He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Shaocheng Si
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China.
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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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