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Dhulia A, Abou-Khalil C, Kewalramani J, Sarkar D, Boufadel MC. Mobilization of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils with different organic matter contents. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142503. [PMID: 38825242 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142503] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
There is considerable interest in addressing soils contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) because of the PFAS in the environment and associated health risks. The neutralization of PFAS in situ is challenging. Consequently, mobilizing the PFAS from the contaminated soils into an aqueous solution for subsequent handling has been pursued. Nonetheless, the efficiency of mobilization methods for removing PFAS can vary depending on site-specific factors, including the types and concentrations of PFAS compounds, soil characteristics. In the present study, the removal of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) from artificially contaminated soils was investigated in a 2D laboratory setup using electrokinetic (EK) remediation and hydraulic flushing by applying a hydraulic gradient (HG) for a duration of 15 days. The percent removal of PFOA by EK was consistent (∼80%) after a 15-day treatment for all soils. The removal efficiency of PFOS by EK significantly varied with the OM content, where the PFOS removal increased from 14% at 5% OM to 60% at 50% OM. With HG, the percent removal increased for both PFOA and PFOS from about 20% at 5% OM up to 80% at 75% OM. Based on the results, the mobilization of PFAS from organic soil would be appropriate using both hydraulic flushing and EK considering their applicability and advantages over each other for site-specific factors and requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Dhulia
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Charbel Abou-Khalil
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, 46556, USA
| | | | - Dibyendu Sarkar
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
| | - Michel C Boufadel
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
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2
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Thapa BS, Pandit S, Mishra RK, Joshi S, Idris AM, Tusher TR. Emergence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and advances in the remediation strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170142. [PMID: 38242458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170142] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
A group of fluorinated organic molecules known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been commonly produced and circulated in the environment. PFAS, owing to multiple strong CF bonds, exhibit exceptional stability and possess a high level of resistance against biological or chemical degradation. Recently, PFAS have been identified to cause numerous hazardous effects on the biotic ecosystem. As a result, extensive efforts have been made in recent years to develop effective methods to remove PFAS. Adsorption, filtration, heat treatment, chemical oxidation/reduction, and soil washing are a few of the physicochemical techniques that have shown their ability to remove PFAS from contaminated matrixes. However these methods also carry significant drawbacks, including the fact that they are expensive, energy-intensive, unsuitable for in-situ treatment, and requirement to be carried under dormant conditions. The metabolic products released upon PFAS degradation are largely unknown, despite the fact that thermal disintegration methods are widely used. In contrast to physical and chemical methods, biological degradation of PFAS has been regarded as efficient method. However, PFAS are difficult to instantly and completely metabolize through biological methods due to the limitations of biocatalytic mechanisms. Nevertheless, cost, easy-to-operate and environmentally safe are some of the advantages over its counterpart. The present review comprehensively discusses the occurrence of PFAS, the state-of-the science of remediation technologies and approaches applied, and the remediation challenges. The article also focuses on the future research directions toward the development of effective methods for PFAS-contaminated site in-situ treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhim Sen Thapa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - Soumya Pandit
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, UP, India
| | - Rahul Kumar Mishra
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, UP, India
| | - Sanket Joshi
- Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University Rajasthan, Kant Kalwar, NH 11C, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303002, India
| | - Abubakr M Idris
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tanmoy Roy Tusher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA; Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh.
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3
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Masinga P, Simbanegavi TT, Makuvara Z, Marumure J, Chaukura N, Gwenzi W. Emerging organic contaminants in the soil-plant-receptor continuum: transport, fate, health risks, and removal mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:367. [PMID: 38488937 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
There is a lack of comprehensive reviews tracking emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) within the soil-plant continuum using the source-pathway-receptor-impact-mitigation (SPRIM) framework. Therefore, this review examines existing literature to gain insights into the occurrence, behaviour, fate, health hazards, and strategies for mitigating EOCs within the soil-plant system. EOCs identified in the soil-plant system encompass endocrine-disrupting chemicals, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, plasticizers, gasoline additives, flame retardants, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Sources of EOCs in the soil-plant system include the land application of biosolids, wastewater, and solid wastes rich in EOCs. However, less-studied sources encompass plastics and atmospheric deposition. EOCs are transported from their sources to the soil-plant system and other receptors through human activities, wind-driven processes, and hydrological pathways. The behaviour, persistence, and fate of EOCs within the soil-plant system are discussed, including sorption, degradation, phase partitioning, (bio)transformation, biouptake, translocation, and bioaccumulation in plants. Factors governing the behaviour, persistence, and fate of EOCs in the soil-plant system include pH, redox potential, texture, temperature, and soil organic matter content. The review also discusses the environmental receptors of EOCs, including their exchange with other environmental compartments (aquatic and atmospheric), and interactions with soil organisms. The ecological health risks, human exposure via inhalation of particulate matter and consumption of contaminated food, and hazards associated with various EOCs in the soil-plant system are discussed. Various mitigation measures including removal technologies of EOCs in the soil are discussed. Finally, future research directions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Privilege Masinga
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, P. O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tinoziva T Simbanegavi
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, P. O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Zakio Makuvara
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jerikias Marumure
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nhamo Chaukura
- Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, 8301, South Africa
| | - Willis Gwenzi
- Biosystems and Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Marlborough, Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Marlborough, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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4
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Marsh RW, Kewalramani JA, Bezerra de Souza B, Meegoda JN. The use of a fluorine mass balance to demonstrate the mineralization of PFAS by high frequency and high power ultrasound. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141270. [PMID: 38280651 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
High-frequency ultrasound (sonolysis) has been shown as a practical approach for mineralizing PFAS in highly concentrated PFAS waste. However, a fluorine mass balance approach showing complete mineralization for ultrasound treatment has not been elucidated. The impact of ultrasonic power density (W/L) and the presence of co-occurring PFAS on the degradation of individual PFAS are not well understood. In this research, the performance of a 10L sonochemical reactor was assessed for treating synthetic high-concentration PFAS waste with carboxylic and sulfonic perfluoroalkyl surfactants ranging in chain length from four to eight carbons at three different initial concentrations: 6, 55, 183 μM. The mass balance for fluorine was performed using three analytical techniques: triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, a fluoride ion selective electrode, and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance. The test results showed near complete mineralization of PFAS in the waste without the formation of intermediate fluorinated by-products. The PFAS mineralization efficiency of the sonolysis treatment at two different power densities for similar initial concentrations were almost identical; the G value at 145 W/L was 9.7*10-3 g/kWh, whereas the G value at 90 W/L was 9.3*10-3 g/kWh. The results of this study highlight the implications for the scalability of the sonolytic process to treat high-concentration PFAS waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Marsh
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jitendra A Kewalramani
- Tetra Tech Inc., King of Prussia, PA, USA; Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bruno Bezerra de Souza
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jay N Meegoda
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA.
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Xu C, Xu C, Zhou Q, Shen C, Peng L, Liu S, Yin S, Li F. Spatial distribution, isomer signature and air-soil exchange of legacy and emerging poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123222. [PMID: 38145639 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Widespread occurrences of various poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in terrestrial environment calls for the growing interest in their transport behaviors. However, limited studies detected PFAS with structural diversity in tree barks, which reflect the long-term contamination in atmosphere and play a vital role in air-soil exchange behaviors. In this study, 26 PFAS congeners and typical branched isomers were investigated in surface soils and tree barks at 28 sites along the Taihu Lake, Taipu River, and Huangpu River. Concentrations of total PFAS in soils and tree barks were 0.991-29.4 and 7.99-188 ng/g dw, with PFPeA and PFDoA were the largest contributors in the two matrices. The highest PFAS levels were found in the Taihu Lake watershed, where textile manufacturing and metal plating activities highly prosper. With regard to the congener and isomer signatures, short-chain homologs dominated in soils (65.5%), whereas long-chain PFAS showed a major proportion in barks (41.9%). The composition of linear isomers of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS implied that precursor degradation might be an important source of PFAS in addition to the 3M electrochemical fluorination (ECF). Additionally, the distance from the emission source, total organic carbon (TOC), logKOA and logKOW were considered potential influencing factors in PFAS distributions. Based on the multi-media fugacity model, about 71% of the fugacity fraction (ffs) values of the PFAS were below 0.3, indicating the dominant deposition from the atmosphere to the soil. The average fluxes of air-soil exchange for PFAS were -0.700 ± 11.0 ng/(m2·h). Notably, the estimated daily exposure to PFAS ranged from 9.57 × 10-2 to 8.59 × 10-1 ng/kg·bw/day for children and 3.31 × 10-2 to 3.09 × 10-1 ng/kg·bw/day for adults, suggesting low risks from outdoor inhalation and dermal uptake. Overall, results from distribution with structural diversity, air-soil exchange and preliminary risk assessment. This study provided in-depth insight of PFAS in multi-medium environment and bridged gaps between field data and policy-making for pollution control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenye Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chenman Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Chensi Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Leni Peng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Shuren Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Shanshan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Fang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
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6
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Sun R, Babalol S, Ni R, Dolatabad AA, Cao J, Xiao F. Efficient and fast remediation of soil contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by high-frequency heating. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132660. [PMID: 37898088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a novel thermal technology (high-frequency heating, HFH) for the decontamination of soil containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Ultra-fast degradation of short-chain PFAS, long-chain homologs, precursors, legacy PFAS, emerging PFAS was achieved in a matter of minutes. The concentrations of PFAS and the soil type had a negligible impact on degradation efficiency, possibly due to the ultra-fast degradation rate overwhelming potential differences. Under the current HFH experiment setup, we achieved near-complete degradation (e.g., >99.9%) after 1 min for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and 2 min for perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids. Polyfluoroalkyl precursors in AFFFs were found to degrade completely within 1 min of HFH; no residual cationic, zwitterionic, anionic, or non-ionic intermediate products were detected following the treatment. The gaseous byproducts were considered. Most of gaseous organofluorine products of PFAS at low-and-moderate temperatures disappeared when temperatures reached 890 °C, which is in the temperature zone of HFH. For the first time, we demonstrated minimal loss of PFAS in water during the boiling process, indicating a low risk of PFAS entering the atmosphere with the water vapor. The findings highlight HFH its potential as a promising remediation tool for PFAS-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Samuel Babalol
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Ruichong Ni
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 8155, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Alireza Arhami Dolatabad
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jiefei Cao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Feng Xiao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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7
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Siebenmorgen C, Poortinga A, van Rijn P. Sono-processes: Emerging systems and their applicability within the (bio-)medical field. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 100:106630. [PMID: 37826890 PMCID: PMC10582584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Sonochemistry, although established in various fields, is still an emerging field finding new effects of ultrasound on chemical systems and are of particular interest for the biomedical field. This interdisciplinary area of research explores the use of acoustic waves with frequencies ranging from 20 kHz to 1 MHz to induce physical and chemical changes. By subjecting liquids to ultrasonic waves, sonochemistry has demonstrated the ability to accelerate reaction rates, alter chemical reaction pathways, and change physical properties of the system while operating under mild reaction conditions. It has found its way into diverse industries including food processing, pharmaceuticals, material science, and environmental remediation. This review provides an overview of the principles, advancements, and applications of sonochemistry with a particular focus on the domain of (bio-)medicine. Despite the numerous benefits sonochemistry has to offer, most of the research in the (bio-)medical field remains in the laboratory stage. Translation of these systems into clinical practice is complex as parameters used for medical ultrasound are limited and toxic side effects must be minimized in order to meet regulatory approval. However, directing attention towards the applicability of the system in clinical practice from the early stages of research holds significant potential to further amplify the role of sonochemistry in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clio Siebenmorgen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering-FB40, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert Poortinga
- Technical University Eindhoven, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gemini Zuid, de Zaale, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands.
| | - Patrick van Rijn
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering-FB40, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
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8
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Lei Y, Hou J, Fang C, Tian Y, Naidu R, Zhang J, Zhang X, Zeng Z, Cheng Z, He J, Tian D, Deng S, Shen F. Ultrasound-based advanced oxidation processes for landfill leachate treatment: Energy consumption, influences, mechanisms and perspectives. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115366. [PMID: 37573610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115366] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on ultrasound (US) have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to its advantages in the degradation of landfill leachate. The review summarizes the existing treatment methods of leachate from lab-scale, compares their advantages and disadvantages by focusing on the degradation of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the leachate. Then the US-based AOPs are introduced emphatically, including their degradation mechanisms, influencing factors, energy consumption, further optimization methods as well as the possibility of field-scale application are systematically described. Moreover, this review also expounds on the advantages of dual-frequency US (DFUS) technology compared with single-frequency US, and a theoretically feasible DFUS process is proposed to treat ECs in the leachate. Finally, suggestions and prospects for US technologies in treating landfill leachate are put forward to aid future research on landfill leachate treatment. Meaningfully, this manuscript will provide reference values of US-based technologies in landfill leachate treatment for the practical use, facilitating the development of US-based AOPs in landfill leachate management and disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjia Lei
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jiajie Hou
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Cheng Fang
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Yu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Zhenxing Zeng
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Zhang Cheng
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jinsong He
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Dong Tian
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Shihuai Deng
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Fei Shen
- Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China.
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9
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Bezerra de Souza B, Aluthgun Hewage S, A Kewalramani J, Ct van Duin A, N Meegoda J. A ReaxFF-based molecular dynamics study of the destruction of PFAS due to ultrasound. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:122026. [PMID: 37315883 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122026] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This work uses a computational approach to provide a mechanistic explanation for the experimentally observed destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water due to ultrasound. The PFAS compounds have caused a strong public and regulatory response due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and toxicity to humans. In this research, ReaxFF -based Molecular Dynamics simulation under several temperatures ranging from 373 K to 5,000 K and different environments such as water vapor, O2, N2, and air were performed to understand the mechanism of PFAS destruction. The simulation results showed greater than 98% PFAS degradation was observed within 8 ns under a temperature of 5,000 K in a water vapor phase, replicating the observed micro/nano bubbles implosion and PFAS destruction during the application of ultrasound. Additionally, the manuscript discusses the reaction pathways and how PFAS degradation evolves providing a mechanistic basis for the destruction of PFAS in water due to ultrasound. The simulation showed that small chain molecules C1 and C2 fluoro-radical products are the most dominant species over the simulated period and are the impediment to an efficient degradation of PFAS. Furthermore, this research confirms the empirical findings observations that the mineralization of PFAS molecules occurs without the generation of byproducts. These findings highlight the potential of virtual experiments in complementing laboratory experiments and theoretical projections to enhance the understanding of PFAS mineralization during the application of ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bezerra de Souza
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Shaini Aluthgun Hewage
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jitendra A Kewalramani
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Adri Ct van Duin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Jay N Meegoda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA.
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10
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Fagan WP, Thayer SR, Weavers LK. Kinetics and Mechanism of Ultrasonic Defluorination of Fluorotelomer Sulfonates. J Phys Chem A 2023. [PMID: 37490391 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c03011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound degrades "legacy" per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via thermolysis at the interface of cavitation bubbles. However, compared to "legacy" PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances have a lesser affinity to the interface and may react with •OH. To understand the effect of size on degradation kinetics and mechanism of polyfluoroalkyl substances, this work compared ultrasonic treatment (f = 354 kHz) of n:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSAs) of varying chain lengths (n = 4, 6, 8). Of the congeners tested, 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FtS) degraded the fastest in individual solutions and in mixtures. Sonolytic rate constants correlated to diffusion coefficients of FTSAs, indicating that diffuse short-chain FTSAs outcompete long-chain FTSAs to adsorb and react at the bubble interface. Interestingly, 4:2 and 8:2 FtS had different evolutions of fluoride-to-sulfate ratios, [F-]/[SO42-], over time. Initially, [F-]/[SO42-]4:2 FtS and [F-]/[SO42-]8:2 FtS were respectively higher and lower than theoretical ratios. This difference was attributed to the lower maximum surface excess of 8:2 FtS, hindering its ability to pack and, consequently, defluorinate at the interface. In the presence of an •OH scavenger, FTSAs had similar %F- release compared to no scavenger, whereas %SO42- release was drastically diminished. Therefore, thermolysis is the primary degradation pathway of FTSAs; •OH supplements SO42- formation. These results indicate that ultrasound directly cleaves C-F bonds within the fluoroalkyl chain. This work shows that ultrasound efficiently degrades FTSAs of various sizes and may potentially treat other classes of polyfluoroalkyl substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Fagan
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Shannon R Thayer
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Linda K Weavers
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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11
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Kewalramani JA, Bezerra de Souza B, Marsh RW, Meegoda JN. Contributions of reactor geometry and ultrasound frequency on the efficieny of sonochemical reactor. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 98:106529. [PMID: 37487437 PMCID: PMC10374601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
An intermediate-scale reactor with 10L capacity and two transducers operating at 700 and 950 kHz frequencies was developed to study the scalability of the sonolytic destruction of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). The impact of frequency, height of liquid or power density, and transducer position on reactor performance was evaluated with the potassium iodide (KI) oxidation and calorimetric power. The dual frequency mode of operation has a synergistic effect based on the triiodide concentration, and calorimetric power. The triiodide concentration, and calorimetric power were higher in this mode compared to the combination of both frequencies operating individually. The sonochemical efficiency for an intermediate-scale reactor (10L) was similar that obtained from a bench-scale reactor (2L), showing the scalability of the sonolytic technology. The placement of the transducer at the bottom or side wall of the reactor had no significant impact on the sonochemical reactivity. The superposition of the ultrasonic field from the dual transducer mode (side and bottom) did not produce a synergistic effect compared to the single transducer mode (bottom or side). This can be attributed to a disturbance due to the interaction of ultrasonic fields of two frequencies from each transducer. With the encouraging results scaling up is in progress for site implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra A Kewalramani
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Bruno Bezerra de Souza
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Richard W Marsh
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Jay N Meegoda
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
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Abou-Khalil C, Kewalramani J, Zhang Z, Sarkar D, Abrams S, Boufadel MC. Effect of clay content on the mobilization efficiency of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from soils by electrokinetics and hydraulic flushing. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 322:121160. [PMID: 36716947 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The need for the efficient remediation of soils impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is substantially growing because of the notable upsurge in societal and regulatory awareness of this class of chemicals. To remediate PFAS-contaminated soils using mobilization approaches, the choice of appropriate techniques highly depends on the soil's composition, particularly the clay content, which significantly affects the soil's permeability. Here, we investigated the PFAS mobilization efficiency from soils with different clay contents by using two techniques: electrokinetic (EK) remediation and hydraulic flushing. Artificial kaolinite was added to a loamy sand soil to prepare four soil blends with clay contents of 5, 25, 50, and 75%, each contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfulorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOA) at 10,000 μg/kg. EK remediation was conducted by applying a low voltage (30 V) with a current of 100 mA, and hydraulic flushing was carried out by applying a hydraulic gradient (HG) with a slope of 6.7%. Results show that, with a 14-day treatment duration, the EK-mobilization efficiency was enhanced substantially with the increase of clay content (removal of PFOS increased from 20% at 5% clay to 80% at 75% clay), most likely due to the increase of electroosmotic flow due to the higher content of particles having a zeta potential (i.e., clay). For HG, increasing the clay content significantly suppressed the mobilization of PFAS (removal of PFOS decreased from 40% at 5% clay to 10% at 75% clay) due to a notable decrease in the soil's permeability. Based on the results, applying hydraulic flushing and washing techniques for mobilizing PFAS would be appropriate when treating permeable soils with a maximum clay content of about 25%; otherwise, other suitable mobilization techniques such as EKs should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel Abou-Khalil
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Jitendra Kewalramani
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
| | - Dibyendu Sarkar
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
| | - Stewart Abrams
- Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., 300 Kimball Dr., Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA
| | - Michel C Boufadel
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
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Ismail UM, Elnakar H, Khan MF. Sources, Fate, and Detection of Dust-Associated Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): A Review. TOXICS 2023; 11:335. [PMID: 37112562 PMCID: PMC10146191 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of sand and dust storms (SDSs) is essential for the geochemical cycling of nutrients; however, it is considered a meteorological hazard common to arid regions because of the adverse impacts that SDSs brings with them. One common implication of SDSs is the transport and disposition of aerosols coated with anthropogenic contaminants. Studies have reported the presence of such contaminants in desert dust; however, similar findings related to ubiquitous emerging contaminants, such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been relatively scarce in the literature. This article reviews and identifies the potential sources of dust-associated PFAS that can accumulate and spread across SDS-prone regions. Furthermore, PFAS exposure routes and their toxicity through bioaccumulation in rodents and mammals are discussed. The major challenge when dealing with emerging contaminants is their quantification and analysis from different environmental media, and these PFAS include known and unknown precursors that need to be quantified. Consequently, a review of various analytical methods capable of detecting different PFAS compounds embedded in various matrices is provided. This review will provide researchers with valuable information relevant to the presence, toxicity, and quantification of dust-associated PFAS to develop appropriate mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman M. Ismail
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haitham Elnakar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Construction and Building Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Faizan Khan
- Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Drinking Water and Wastewater, Regulatory Assurance Division, Government of Alberta, 2938 11 St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7L7, Canada
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Meegoda JN, Bezerra de Souza B, Casarini MM, Kewalramani JA. A Review of PFAS Destruction Technologies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192416397. [PMID: 36554276 PMCID: PMC9778349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of highly toxic emerging contaminants that have caught the attention of both the public and private sectors due to their adverse health impacts on society. The scientific community has been laboriously working on two fronts: (1) adapting already existing and effective technologies in destroying organic contaminants for PFAS remediation and (2) developing new technologies to remediate PFAS. A common characteristic in both areas is the separation/removal of PFASs from other contaminants or media, followed by destruction. The widely adopted separation technologies can remove PFASs from being in contact with humans; however, they remain in the environment and continue to pose health risks. On the other hand, the destructive technologies discussed here can effectively destroy PFAS compounds and fully address society's urgent need to remediate this harmful family of chemical compounds. This review reports and compare widely accepted as well as emerging PFAS destruction technologies. Some of the technologies presented in this review are still under development at the lab scale, while others have already been tested in the field.
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