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Gang D, Jia H, Ji H, Li J, Yu H, Hu C, Qu J. Ecological risk of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in the phytoremediation process: a case study for ecologically keystone species across two generations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:174961. [PMID: 39067584 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The potential ecological risk of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in phytoremediation has raised social concerns, promoting a need to better understand their distribution and risks in the recovery process of aquatic plants. Herein, we aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the distribution and ecotoxicological effects of PFASs on the structure and function of water-macrophyte-sediment microcosm systems. Among the entire system, 63.0 %-73.1 % PFOA was found in sediments and submerged plants, however, 52.5 %-53.0 % of PFPeA and 47.0 %-47.5 % of PFBS remained in the water under different treatments. PFOA was more bioavailable than the other substances, as demonstrated by the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) with ranges exposed to PFPeA and PFBS. Bioaccumulation PFASs induced plant oxidative stress which generates enzymes to suppress superoxide, and disturbed the processes of lysine biosynthesis, in which allysine, meso-2,6-diaminoheptanedioate, and Nsuccinyl-2-amino-6-ketopimelate were downregulated. PFASs were detected in the propagator (turions) of an ecological restoration species, where short-chain PFASs (70.1 % and 45.7 % for 2 or 20 μg/L PFAS exposure, respectively) were found to spread further into new individuals and profoundly influence ecological processes shaping populations. PFASs significantly enhanced the number of microbial species in the sediment, but the degree of differentiation in the microbial community structure was not significantly different. This study enhances our understanding of the ecological mechanisms of PFASs in the water-macrophyte-sediment systems and potential threats to the recovery process of macrophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diga Gang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huawei Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - He Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Hongwei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Thompson KA, Ray H, Gerrity D, Quiñones O, Dano E, Prieur J, Vanderford B, Steinle-Darling E, Dickenson ERV. Sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in an arid, urban, wastewater-dominated watershed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173361. [PMID: 38777060 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) enter surface waters from various sources such as wastewater treatment plants, fire-fighting sites, and PFAS-producing and PFAS-using industries. The Las Vegas Wash in Southern Nevada of the United States (U.S.) conveys wastewater effluent from the Las Vegas metropolitan area to Lake Mead, a drinking water source for millions of people in the U.S. Southwest. PFAS have previously been detected in the Las Vegas Wash, but PFAS sources were not identified. In this study, upstream wash tributaries, wastewater treatment effluents, and shallow groundwater wells were sampled in multiple campaigns during dry-weather conditions to investigate possible PFAS sources. Out of 19 PFAS, two short-chain PFAS-perfluoropentanoic acid (48 % of the total molar concentration) and perfluorohexanoic acid (32 %)-comprised the majority of PFAS loading measured in the Las Vegas Wash, followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (9 %). On a mass loading basis, the majority of total measured PFAS (approximately 90 %) and at least 48 % of each specific PFAS in the Las Vegas Wash likely entered via municipal wastewater effluents, of which the main source was likely residential wastewater. One of the drainage areas with a major civilian airport was identified as a potential source of relatively enriched perfluorosulfonic acids to a small wash tributary and shallow groundwater samples. Nonetheless, that tributary contributed at most 15 % of any specific PFAS to the mainstem of the Las Vegas Wash. Total PFAS concentrations were relatively low for the small tributary associated with an urban smaller airport and the lack of flow in the tributary channel immediately downgradient of an Air Force base indicates the smaller airport and base were unlikely significant PFAS sources to the Las Vegas Wash. Overall, this study demonstrated effective PFAS source investigation methodology and the importance of wastewater effluent as a PFAS environmental pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Thompson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV, USA; Carollo Engineers, Inc., Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hannah Ray
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV, USA
| | - Daniel Gerrity
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV, USA
| | - Oscar Quiñones
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV, USA
| | - Eric Dano
- Water Resources, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - James Prieur
- Water Resources, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Brett Vanderford
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV, USA
| | | | - Eric R V Dickenson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV, USA.
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Bayode AA, Emmanuel SS, Akinyemi AO, Ore OT, Akpotu SO, Koko DT, Momodu DE, López-Maldonado EA. Innovative techniques for combating a common enemy forever chemicals: A comprehensive approach to mitigating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 261:119719. [PMID: 39098711 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," in water systems poses a significant threat to both the environment and public health. PFAS are persistent organic pollutants that are incredibly resistant to degradation and have a tendency to accumulate in the environment, resulting in long-term contamination issues. This comprehensive review delves into the primary impacts of PFAS on both the environment and human health while also delving into advanced techniques aimed at addressing these concerns. The focus is on exploring the efficacy, practicality, and sustainability of these methods. The review outlines several key methods, such as advanced oxidation processes, novel materials adsorption, bioremediation, membrane filtration, and in-situ chemical oxidation, and evaluates their effectiveness in addressing PFAS contamination. By conducting a comparative analysis of these techniques, the study aims to provide a thorough understanding of current PFAS remediation technologies, as well as offer insights into integrated approaches for managing these persistent pollutants effectively. While acknowledging the high efficiency of adsorption and membrane filtration in reducing persistent organic pollutants due to their relatively low cost, versatility, and wide applicability, the review suggests that the integration of these methods could result in an overall enhancement of removal performance. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for researcher attention in key areas and underscores the necessity of collaboration between researchers, industry, and regulatory authorities to address this complex challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajibola A Bayode
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, China; Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, 232101, Ede, Nigeria.
| | - Stephen Sunday Emmanuel
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
| | - Amos O Akinyemi
- Department of Toxicology & Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Odunayo T Ore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Achievers University, P.M.B. 1030, Owo, Nigeria
| | - Samson O Akpotu
- Department of Chemistry, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, 1900, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Daniel T Koko
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, 232101, Ede, Nigeria
| | - David E Momodu
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, 232101, Ede, Nigeria
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Awoyemi OS, Luo Y, Niu J, Naidu R, Fang C. Ultrasonic degradation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and foam fractionate (FF). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 360:142420. [PMID: 38795914 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142420] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The ubiquitousness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a big concern and PFAS remediation is urgently needed such as via degradation. While previous studies have explored ultrasonic degradation of PFAS, work evaluating the operational parameters is rare, especially concerning real wastes such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and foam fractionate (FF). This study investigates the key operational parameters affecting the degradation efficiency of PFAS, encompassing ultrasonication frequency (580-1144 kHz), power intensity (125-187.5 W), initial concentration (0.08-40 ppm), treatment duration (0.5-3 h), sample volume (100-500 mL), and PFAS structure (perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA; perfluorooctane sulfonate or PFOS; 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate or 6:2 FTS). The defluorination kinetics is different from the removal/degradation kinetics due to the generation of degradation intermediates, suggesting the complex degradation mechanism, which should be evaluated to close the mass balance effectively. Notably, the optimised ultrasonic system achieves ∼125%/∼115% defluorination in AFFF/FF example wastes (compared to ∼65%/∼97% removal) despite their complex composition and the involvement of total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. In the meantime, a few new PFAS are detected in the post-treatments, including perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and 10:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (10:2 FTS) in the AFFF, and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (8:2 FTS) in the FF, again suggesting the complex degradation mechanism. Overall, ultrasonication is effective to degrade PFAS real example wastes, advancing its potential for scale-up applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olalekan Simon Awoyemi
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Yunlong Luo
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Junfeng Niu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Cheng Fang
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
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Liu B, Liu YL, Sun M. Remove legacy perfluoroalkyl acids and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids by single-use and regenerable anion exchange resins: Rapid small-scale column tests and model fits. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 257:121661. [PMID: 38677109 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121661] [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] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCT) are used to study the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for drinking water treatment by ion exchange. Breakthroughs of 15 emerging per- and perfluoroalkyl ether acids and six legacy perfluoroalkyl acid analogs are studied using a single-use PFAS-selective anion exchange resin (AER1) and a regenerable, generic anion exchange resin (AER2). The Bohart-Adams model was used to describe and predict breakthrough, with the modeled results reasonably aligned with RSSCT results in most cases, enabling shorter RSSCT duration for future applications. AER1 exhibited high uptake capacity with no breakthrough for 11 of the 21 tested PFAS during the 144,175 BV continuous operation, allowing compliance with the new National Primary Drinking Water Regulation in many application scenarios. AER2 exhibited much faster breakthroughs for most PFAS and is not a promising option for drinking water treatment. However, the summed PFAS capacity via model fit and total PFAS adsorbed via measurement were only <0.01 % of both resin capacities at full breakthrough, suggesting PFAS could only occupy a tiny portion of the ion exchange sites even for the PFAS-selective AER1. Ether group insertion in the PFAS group leads to later breakthrough, and linear isomers were better captured by the resins than the branched isomers. Overall, PFAS uptake capacity increases and kinetics decrease when the PFAS molecular volume increases. Regeneration using 10 % NaCl solutions partially released PFAS from AER2 but not from AER1, with more short-chain PFAS released than long-chain ones. Ether group insertion decreased the PFAS recoveries during the regeneration of AER2. The regenerated resins showed much faster breakthroughs than the pristine resins, making them unfavorable for drinking water treatment applications. Adsorption displacement of short-chain PFAS by long-chain PFAS was observed in pristine AER1, and post-regeneration leaching occurred for both resins, both phenomena making the resins a possible PFAS source in long-term use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingchuan Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
| | - Yen-Ling Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Mei Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
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Rekik H, Arab H, Pichon L, El Khakani MA, Drogui P. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) eternal pollutants: Sources, environmental impacts and treatment processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142044. [PMID: 38648982 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a growing environmental concern due to their tangible impacts on human health. However, due to the large number of PFAS compounds and the analytical difficulty to identify all of them, there are still some knowledge gaps not only on their impact on human health, but also on how to manage them and achieve their effective degradation. PFAS compounds originate from man-made chemicals that are resistant to degradation because of the presence of the strong carbon-fluorine bonds in their chemical structure. This review consists of two parts. In the first part, the environmental effects of fluorinated compound contamination in water are covered with the objective to highlight how their presence in the environment adversely impacts the human health. In the second part, the focus is put on the different techniques available for the degradation and/or separation of PFAS compounds in different types of waters. Examples of removal/treatment of PFAS present in either surface or ground water are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hela Rekik
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Hamed Arab
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Loick Pichon
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650, Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X-1P7, Canada
| | - My Ali El Khakani
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650, Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X-1P7, Canada
| | - Patrick Drogui
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada.
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Zhang X, Wang S, Zhu X, Zhu D, Wang W, Wang B, Deng S, Yu G. Efficient removal of per/polyfluoroalkyl substances from water using recyclable chitosan-coated covalent organic frameworks: Experimental and theoretical methods. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 356:141942. [PMID: 38588893 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141942] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) demonstrate remarkable potential for adsorbing per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Nevertheless, the challenge of recycling powdered COFs hampers their practical application in water treatment. In this research, a quaternary amine COF with inherent positive surface charge was synthesised to adsorb perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) via electrostatic interactions. The COF was then combined with chitosan (CS) through a simple dissolution-evaporation process, resulting in a composite gel material termed COF@CS. The findings indicated that the adsorption capacity of COF@CS significantly surpassed that of the original COF and CS. According to the Langmuir model, COF@CS achieved a maximum PFOA capacity of 2.8 mmol g-1 at pH 5. Furthermore, the adsorption rate increased significantly to 6.2 mmol g-1 h-1, compared to 5.9 mmol g-1 h-1 for COF and 3.4 mmol g-1 h-1 for CS. Notably, COF@CS exhibited excellent removal efficacy for ten other types of PFAS. Moreover, COF@CS could be successfully regenerated using a mixture of 70% ethanol and 1 wt% NaCl, and it exhibited stable reusability for up to five cycles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterisation, and theoretical calculations revealed that the quaternary amine functional group in COF served as the primary adsorption site in the composite gel material, while the protonated amino group on CS enhanced PFOA adsorption through electrostatic interaction. This study highlights the significant practical potential of COF@CS in the removal of PFAS from aqueous solution and environmental remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xi'ning, Qinghai Province, 810016, China
| | - Shiyi Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xi'ning, Qinghai Province, 810016, China
| | - Xingyi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xi'ning, Qinghai Province, 810016, China
| | - Donghai Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xi'ning, Qinghai Province, 810016, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xi'ning, Qinghai Province, 810016, China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shubo Deng
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Gang Yu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, 519085, China.
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Säve-Söderbergh M, Gyllenhammar I, Schillemans T, Lindfeldt E, Vogs C, Donat-Vargas C, Halldin Ankarberg E, Glynn A, Ahrens L, Helte E, Åkesson A. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fetal growth: A nation-wide register-based study on PFAS in drinking water. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108727. [PMID: 38735074 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is inconclusive evidence for an association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fetal growth. OBJECTIVES We conducted a nation-wide register-based cohort study to assess the associations of the estimated maternal exposure to the sum (PFAS4) of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) with birthweight as well as risk of small- (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS We included all births in Sweden during 2012-2018 of mothers residing ≥ four years prior to partus in localities served by municipal drinking water where PFAS were measured in raw and drinking water. Using a one-compartment toxicokinetic model we estimated cumulative maternal blood levels of PFAS4 during pregnancy by linking residential history, municipal PFAS water concentration and year-specific background serum PFAS concentrations in Sweden. Individual birth outcomes and covariates were obtained via register linkage. Mean values and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of β coefficients and odds ratios (OR) were estimated by linear and logistic regressions, respectively. Quantile g-computation regression was conducted to assess the impact of PFAS4 mixture. RESULTS Among the 248,804 singleton newborns included, no overall association was observed for PFAS4 and birthweight or SGA. However, an association was seen for LGA, multivariable-adjusted OR 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.16) when comparing the highest PFAS4 quartile to the lowest. These associations remained for mixture effect approach where all PFAS, except for PFOA, contributed with a positive weight. DISCUSSIONS We observed an association of the sum of PFAS4 - especially PFOS - with increased risk of LGA, but not with SGA or birthweight. The limitations linked to the exposure assessment still require caution in the interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melle Säve-Söderbergh
- Risk- and Benefit Assessment Department, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Risk- and Benefit Assessment Department, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tessa Schillemans
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emelie Lindfeldt
- Risk- and Benefit Assessment Department, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Vogs
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Donat-Vargas
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Barcelona Intitute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emilie Helte
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Marumure J, Simbanegavi TT, Makuvara Z, Karidzagundi R, Alufasi R, Goredema M, Gufe C, Chaukura N, Halabowski D, Gwenzi W. Emerging organic contaminants in drinking water systems: Human intake, emerging health risks, and future research directions. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 356:141699. [PMID: 38554874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141699] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Few earlier reviews on emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in drinking water systems (DWS) focused on their detection, behaviour, removal and fate. Reviews on multiple exposure pathways, human intake estimates, and health risks including toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics of EOCs in DWS are scarce. This review presents recent advances in human intake and health risks of EOCs in DWS. First, an overview of the evidence showing that DWS harbours a wide range of EOCs is presented. Multiple human exposure to EOCs occurs via ingestion of drinking water and beverages, inhalation and dermal pathways are discussed. A potential novel exposure may occur via the intravenous route in dialysis fluids. Analysis of global data on pharmaceutical pollution in rivers showed that the cumulative concentrations (μg L-1) of pharmaceuticals (mean ± standard error of the mean) were statistically more than two times significantly higher (p = 0.011) in South America (11.68 ± 5.29), Asia (9.97 ± 3.33), Africa (9.48 ± 2.81) and East Europe (8.09 ± 4.35) than in high-income regions (2.58 ± 0.48). Maximum cumulative concentrations of pharmaceuticals (μg L-1) decreased in the order; Asia (70.7) had the highest value followed by South America (68.8), Africa (51.3), East Europe (32.0) and high-income regions (17.1) had the least concentration. The corresponding human intake via ingestion of untreated river water was also significantly higher in low- and middle-income regions than in their high-income counterparts. For each region, the daily intake of pharmaceuticals was highest in infants, followed by children and then adults. A critique of the human health hazards, including toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of EOCs is presented. Emerging health hazards of EOCs in DWS include; (1) long-term latent and intergenerational effects, (2) the interactive health effects of EOC mixtures, (3) the challenges of multifinality and equifinality, and (4) the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. Finally, research needs on human health hazards of EOCs in DWS are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, South Africa
| | - Tinoziva T Simbanegavi
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, 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, South Africa
| | - Rangarirayi Karidzagundi
- Materials Development Unit, Zimbabwe Open University, P.O. Box MP1119 Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Richwell Alufasi
- Biological Sciences Department, Bindura University of Science Education, 741 Chimurenga Road, Off Trojan Road, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
| | - Marvelous Goredema
- Biological Sciences Department, Bindura University of Science Education, 741 Chimurenga Road, Off Trojan Road, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
| | - Claudious Gufe
- Department of Veterinary Technical Services, Central Veterinary Laboratories, Box CY55, 18A Borrowdale Road, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nhamo Chaukura
- Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, 8301, South Africa
| | - Dariusz Halabowski
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Willis Gwenzi
- Currently: Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, 380, New Adylin, Westgate, Harare, Zimbabwe; Formerly: Alexander von Humboldt Fellow & Guest/Visiting Professor, Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Universität Kassel, Steinstraße 19, D-37213, Witzenhausen, Germany; Formerly: Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and Guest Professor, Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany.
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10
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Jovanović M, Müller V, Feldmann J, Leitner E. Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in raw materials intended for the production of paper-based food contact materials - evaluating LC-MS/MS versus total fluorine and extractable organic fluorine. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2024; 41:525-536. [PMID: 38530104 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2332334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis has become crucial due to their presence in the environment, their persistence and potential health risks. These compounds are commonly used in food contact materials (FCM) as a coating to provide water and grease-repellent properties. One of the pathways for PFAS to enter the human body is either through direct consumption of contaminated food or indirectly through migration from FCM into food. The purpose of this study was to investigate where the initial contamination of paper FCM occurs. We analysed paper material consisting of fresh fibre and secondary materials, intended to produce food packaging for the presence of PFAS. The samples were extracted and analysed for 23 different PFAS substances using the targeted approach with LC tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This analytical technique detects specific, easily ionisable PFAS with high sensitivity. However, one drawback of this approach is that it allows the identification of less than 1% of the PFAS known today. For this reason, we used combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to determine the content of extractable organic fluorine compounds (EOF) and compare it to the total fluorine content. The targeted analysis using LC-MS/MS measured an average sum concentration of PFAS of 0.17 ng g-1 sample. Our research shows that the primary PFAS contamination happens during the recycling process since all of the samples in which the targeted PFAS were measured belonged to the secondary material. The most frequently detected analytes were PFOA and PFOS, detected in 90% and 62% of the samples, respectively, followed by PFBS (in 29% of the samples). CIC showed that measured PFAS via LC-MS/MS amount to an average of 2.7 × 10-4% of total fluorine content, whereas the EOF was under the LOD in all of the measured samples. This result highlights the complexity of the accurate determination of PFAS compounds, displaying what kind of information the chosen methods provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Jovanović
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Müller
- The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- TESLA - Analytical Chemistry, Institute for Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- TESLA - Analytical Chemistry, Institute for Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Erich Leitner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Graz, Austria
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11
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Asadi Zeidabadi F, Banayan Esfahani E, Moreira R, McBeath ST, Foster J, Mohseni M. Structural dependence of PFAS oxidation in a boron doped diamond-electrochemical system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118103. [PMID: 38181849 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118103] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Driven by long-term persistence and adverse health impacts of legacy perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), production has shifted towards shorter chain analogs (C4, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)) or fluorinated alternatives such as hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, known as GenX) and 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA). Yet, a thorough understanding of treatment processes for these alternatives is limited. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive study using an electrochemical approach with a boron doped diamond anode in Na2SO4 electrolyte for the remediation of PFOA common alternatives, i.e., PFBA, GenX, and 6:2 FTCA. The degradability, fluorine recovery, transformation pathway, and contributions from electro-synthesized radicals were investigated. The results indicated the significance of chain length and structure, with shorter chains being harder to break down (PFBA (65.6 ± 5.0%) < GenX (84.9 ± 3.3%) < PFOA (97.9 ± 0.1%) < 6:2 FTCA (99.4 ± 0.0%) within 120 min of electrolysis). The same by-products were observed during the oxidation of both low and high concentrations of parent PFAS (2 and 20 mg L-1), indicating that the fundamental mechanism of PFAS degradation remained consistent. Nevertheless, the ratio of these by-products to the parent PFAS concentration varied which primarily arises from the more rapid PFAS decomposition at lower dosages. For all experiments, the main mechanism of PFAS oxidation was initiated by direct electron transfer at the anode surface. Sulfate radical (SO4•-) also contributed to the oxidation of all PFAS, while hydroxyl radical (•OH) only played a role in the decomposition of 6:2 FTCA. Total fluorine recovery of PFBA, GenX, and 6:2 FTCA were 96.5%, 94.0%, and 76.4% within 240 min. The more complex transformation pathway of 6:2 FTCA could explain its lower fluorine recovery. Detailed decomposition pathways for each PFAS were also proposed through identifying the generated intermediates and fluorine recovery. The proposed pathways were also assessed using 19F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Asadi Zeidabadi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ehsan Banayan Esfahani
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Raphaell Moreira
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sean T McBeath
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01002, United States
| | - Johan Foster
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Madjid Mohseni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, Canada.
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12
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Sohn S, Kim MK, Lee YM, Sohn EJ, Choi GY, Chae SH, Zoh KD. Removal characteristics of 53 micropollutants during ozonation, chlorination, and UV/H 2O 2 processes used in drinking water treatment plant. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141360. [PMID: 38325620 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141360] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The removal of 53 emerging micropollutants (MPs), including 10 per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFASs), 25 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), 7 pesticides, 5 endocrine disrupters (EDCs), 3 nitrosamines, and 3 taste and odor compounds (T&Os), by chlorination, ozonation, and UV/H2O2 treatment was examined in deionized water and surface waters used as the raw waters in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in South Korea. The UV/H2O2 treatment was effective in the removal of most MPs, whereas chlorination was selectively effective for 19 MPs, including EDCs (>70 %). MPs containing aromatic ring with electron-donating functional group, or primary and secondary amines were effectively removed by chlorination immediately upon reaction initiation. The removal of MPs by ozonation was generally lower than that of the other two processes at a low ozone dose (1 mg L-1), but higher than chlorination at a high ozone dose (3 mg L-1), particularly for 16 MPs, including T&Os. Compared in deionized water, the removals of MPs in the raw water samples were lower in all three processes. The regression models predicting the rate constants (kobs) of 53 MPs showed good agreement between modeled and measured value for UV/H2O2 treatment (R2 = 0.948) and chlorination (R2 = 0.973), despite using only dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and oxidant concentration as variables, whereas the ozonation model showed a variation (R2 = 0.943). Our results can provide the resources for determining which oxidative process is suitable for treating specific MPs present in the raw waters of DWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungwoon Sohn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Moon-Kyung Kim
- Institute of Health & Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young-Min Lee
- Institute of Health & Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Erica Jungmin Sohn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Grace Y Choi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seon-Ha Chae
- Korea Water Resources Corporation, K-water Institute, Deajeon, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Duk Zoh
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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13
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Zahmatkesh S, Chen Z, Khan NA, Ni BJ. Removing polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater with mixed matrix membranes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168881. [PMID: 38042200 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168881] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals are fluorinated and exhibit complicated behavior. They are determined and highly resistant to ecological modifications that render plants ecologically robust. Thermal stability and water and oil resistance are examples of material qualities. Their adverse consequences are causing increasing worry due to their bioaccumulative nature in humans and other creatures. Direct data indicates that PFAS exposure in humans causes endocrine system disruption, immune system suppression, obesity, increased cholesterol, and cancer. Several PFASs are present in drinking water at low doses and may harm people. These cancer-causing PFAS have caused concern for water bodies all around the globe. Analytical techniques are used to identify and measure PFAS in an aqueous medium (membrane). Furthermore, a deeper explanation is provided for PFAS removal methods, including mixed matrix membrane (MMM) technology. By removing over 99 % of the PFAS from wastewater, MMMs may effectively remove PFAS from sewage when the support matrix contains adsorbing components. Furthermore, we consider several factors affecting the removal of PFAS and practical sorption methods for PFAS onto various adsorbents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Zahmatkesh
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieríay Ciencias, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Zhijie Chen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Nadeem A Khan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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14
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Chen M, Niu Z, Zhang X, Zhang Y. Pollution characteristics and health risk of sixty-five organics in one drinking water system: PAEs should be prioritized for control. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 350:141171. [PMID: 38211786 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141171] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Currently, a large number of emerging organic contaminants have been detected in domestic and international drinking water systems. However, there are differences among the research methods, which lead to system errors in directly comparing the hazards of different contaminants, so it is difficult to analyze the priority control pollutants and the risk control target in drinking water from previous studies. Therefore, we selected a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) in the east of China, and detected trihalomethanes (THMs), antibiotics, phthalate esters (PAEs), organophosphate esters (OPEs), per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a total of sixty-five organic contaminants in one batch water sample of four seasons, and carried out the whole process monitoring of "Source water-DWTP-Network-Users", and calculated the health risks of contaminants in tap water. The results showed that DWTP could effectively remove antibiotics and PAEs; the removal rate of coagulation for antibiotics can be up to 47%; the release of PAEs in the plastic water supply pipe leads to a significant increase of the concentrations in the water transportation system, which can reach 2.92 times of that in finished water; compared with other contaminants, THMs and PAEs in tap water have higher health risks. This study reveals that THMs and PAEs are priority control organic pollutants, and the water supply network is the key risk control target in the drinking water system, providing a theoretical basis for how to ensure the safety of drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Zhiguang Niu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China; The International Joint Institute of Tianjin University, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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15
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Ersan MS, Wang B, Wong MS, Westerhoff P. Advanced oxidation processes may transform unknown PFAS in groundwater into known products. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140865. [PMID: 38048829 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of fluorinated organic contaminants classified as persistent in the aquatic environment. Early studies using targeted analysis approaches to evaluate the degradation of PFAS by advanced oxidation processes (AOP) in real water matrices may have been misinterpreted due to the presence of undetected or unknown PFAS in these matrices. The aims of the present study were to (1) screen selected commercially available AOPs (UV, UV + H2O2, O3/H2O2) and UV photocatalysis in a pilot system using commercially used and novel photocatalysts (TiO2, boron nitride [BN]) for removing PFAS contaminants and (2) evaluate their role on the conversion of non-detected/unknown to known PFAS compounds in real groundwater used as drinking water supplies. Results indicated that, while AOPs have the potential to achieve removal of the EPA method 533 target PFAS compounds (PFDA [100%], PFNA [100%], PFOA [85-94%], PFOS [25-100%], PFHxS [3-100%], PFPeS [100%], PFBS [100%]), AOPs transformed non-detected/unknown longer-chain PFAS compounds to detectable shorter-chain ones under very high-dose AOP operating conditions, leading to an increase in ∑PFAS concentration ranging from 95% to 340%. As emerging PFAS treatment processes transition from lab-scale investigations of target PFAS to pilot testing of real water matrices, studies will need to consider impact of the presence of non-target long-chain PFAS to transform into targeted PFAS compounds. A promising approach to address the potential risks and unforeseen consequences could involve an increased reliance on adsorbable organic fluorine (AOF) analysis before and after advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmut S Ersan
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA; School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5306, USA; Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, Arizona State University, USA.
| | - Bo Wang
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, Arizona State University, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Michael S Wong
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, Arizona State University, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5306, USA; Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, Arizona State University, USA
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16
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Wanzek TA, Field JA, Kostarelos K. Repeated Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Applications: Impacts on Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Retention in Saturated Soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1659-1668. [PMID: 38198694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04595] [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: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Historical practices at firefighter-training areas involved repeated aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) applications, resulting in source zones characterized by high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Repeated applications of AFFF composed of 14 anionic and 23 zwitterionic perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were conducted on a single one-dimensional saturated soil column to quantify PFAS retention. An electrofluorination-based (3M) Milspec AFFF, which was above the mixture's critical micelle concentration (CMC), was at application strength (3%, v/v). Retention and retardation of PFAS mass increased with each successive AFFF addition, although the PFAS concentration profiles for subsequent applications differed from the initial. Greater degree of mass retention and retardation correlated with longer PFAS carbon-fluorine chain length and charged-headgroup type and as a function of AFFF application number. Anionic PFAS were increasingly retained with each subsequent AFFF application, while zwitterionic PFAS exhibited an alternating pattern of sorption and desorption. Surfactant-surfactant adsorption and competition during repeat AFFF applications that are at concentrations above the CMC resulted in adsorbed PFAS from the first application, changing the nature of the soil surface with preferential sorption of anionic PFAS and release of zwitterionic PFAS due to competitive elution. Applying a polyparameter quantitative structure-property relationship developed to describe sorption of AFFF-derived PFAS to uncontaminated, saturated soil was attempted for our experimental conditions. The model had been derived for data where AFFF is below the apparent CMC and our experimental conditions that included the presence of mixed micelles (aggregates consisting of different kinds of surfactants that exhibit characteristics properties different from micelles composed of a single surfactant) resulted in overall PFAS mass retained by an average of 27.3% ± 2.7% (standard error) above the predicted values. The correlation was significantly improved by adding a "micelle parameter" to account for cases where the applied AFFF was above the apparent CMC. Our results highlight the importance of interactions between the AFFF components that can only be investigated by employing complex PFAS mixtures at concentrations present in actual AFFF at application strength, which are above their apparent CMC. In firefighter-training areas (AFFF source zones), competitive desorption of PFAS may result in downgradient PFAS retention when desorbed PFAS become resorbed to uncontaminated soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Wanzek
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Konstantinos Kostarelos
- UH Energy Technology Innovation Center, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
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17
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McGachy L, Sedlak DL. From Theory to Practice: Leveraging Chemical Principles To Improve the Performance of Peroxydisulfate-Based In Situ Chemical Oxidation of Organic Contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:17-32. [PMID: 38110187 PMCID: PMC10785823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07409] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) using peroxydisulfate has become more popular in the remediation of soils and shallow groundwater contaminated with organic chemicals. Researchers have studied the chemistry of peroxydisulfate and the oxidative species produced upon its decomposition (i.e., sulfate radical and hydroxyl radical) for over five decades, describing reaction kinetics, mechanisms, and product formation in great detail. However, if this information is to be useful to practitioners seeking to optimize the use of peroxydisulfate in the remediation of hazardous waste sites, the relevant conditions of high oxidant concentrations and the presence of minerals and solutes that affect radical chain reactions must be considered. The objectives of this Review are to provide insights into the chemistry of peroxydisulfate-based ISCO that can enable more efficient operation of these systems and to identify research needed to improve understanding of system performance. By gaining a deeper understanding of the underlying chemistry of these complex systems, it may be possible to improve the design and operation of peroxydisulfate-based ISCO remediation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka McGachy
- Department
of Environmental Chemistry, University of
Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech
Republic
| | - David L. Sedlak
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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18
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Verma S, Mezgebe B, Hejase CA, Sahle-Demessie E, Nadagouda MN. Photodegradation and photocatalysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A review of recent progress. NEXT MATERIALS 2024; 2:1-12. [PMID: 38840836 PMCID: PMC11151751 DOI: 10.1016/j.nxmate.2023.100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are oxidatively recalcitrant organic synthetic compounds. PFAS are an exceptional group of chemicals that have significant physical characteristics due to the presence of the most electronegative element (i.e., fluorine). PFAS persist in the environment, bioaccumulate, and have been linked to toxicological impacts. Epidemiological and toxicity studies have shown that PFAS pose environmental and health risks, requiring their complete elimination from the environment. Various separation technologies, including adsorption with activated carbon or ion exchange resin; nanofiltration; reverse osmosis; and destruction methods (e.g., sonolysis, thermally induced reduction, and photocatalytic dissociation) have been evaluated to remove PFAS from drinking water supplies. In this review, we will comprehensively summarize previous reports on the photodegradation of PFAS with a special focus on photocatalysis. Additionally, challenges associated with these approaches along with perspectives on the state-of-the-art approaches will be discussed. Finally, the photocatalytic defluorination mechanism of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) following complete mineralization will also be examined in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanny Verma
- Pegasus Technical Services INC., Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA
| | - Bineyam Mezgebe
- Groundwater Characterization and Remediation Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US EPA, Ada, OK 74820, USA
| | - Charifa A. Hejase
- Pegasus Technical Services INC., Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Endalkachew Sahle-Demessie
- Land Remediation and Technology Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US EPA, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda
- Water Infrastructure Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US EPA, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
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19
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Tolaymat T, Robey N, Krause M, Larson J, Weitz K, Parvathikar S, Phelps L, Linak W, Burden S, Speth T, Krug J. A critical review of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) landfill disposal in the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167185. [PMID: 37734620 PMCID: PMC10842600 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Landfills manage materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from municipal solid waste (MSW) and other waste streams. This manuscript summarizes state and federal initiatives and critically reviews peer-reviewed literature to define best practices for managing these wastes and identify data gaps to guide future research. The objective is to inform stakeholders about waste-derived PFAS disposed of in landfills, PFAS emissions, and the potential for related environmental impacts. Furthermore, this document highlights data gaps and uncertainties concerning the fate of PFAS during landfill disposal. Most studies on this topic measured PFAS in liquid landfill effluent (leachate); comparatively fewer have attempted to estimate PFAS loading in landfills or other effluent streams such as landfill gas (LFG). In all media, the reported total PFAS heavily depends on waste types and the number of PFAS included in the analytical method. Early studies which only measured a small number of PFAS, predominantly perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), likely report a significant underestimation of total PFAS. Major findings include relationships between PFAS effluent and landfill conditions - biodegradable waste increases PFAS transformation and leaching. Based on the results of multiple studies, it is estimated that 84% of PFAS loading to MSW landfills (7.2 T total) remains in the waste mass, while 5% leaves via LFG and 11% via leachate on an annual basis. The environmental impact of landfill-derived PFAS has been well-documented. Additional research is needed on PFAS in landfilled construction and demolition debris, hazardous, and industrial waste in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thabet Tolaymat
- The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Nicole Robey
- Innovative Technical Solutions, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Max Krause
- The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Judd Larson
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Keith Weitz
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Lara Phelps
- The Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - William Linak
- The Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Susan Burden
- Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tom Speth
- The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan Krug
- The Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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20
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Khan NA, López-Maldonado EA, Majumder A, Singh S, Varshney R, López JR, Méndez PF, Ramamurthy PC, Khan MA, Khan AH, Mubarak NM, Amhad W, Shamshuddin SZM, Aljundi IH. A state-of-art-review on emerging contaminants: Environmental chemistry, health effect, and modern treatment methods. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140264. [PMID: 37758081 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Pollution problems are increasingly becoming e a priority issue from both scientific and technological points of view. The dispersion and frequency of pollutants in the environment are on the rise, leading to the emergence have been increasing, including of a new class of contaminants that not only impact the environment but also pose risks to people's health. Therefore, developing new methods for identifying and quantifying these pollutants classified as emerging contaminants is imperative. These methods enable regulatory actions that effectively minimize their adverse effects to take steps to regulate and reduce their impact. On the other hand, these new contaminants represent a challenge for current technologies to be adapted to control and remove emerging contaminants and involve innovative, eco-friendly, and sustainable remediation technologies. There is a vast amount of information collected in this review on emerging pollutants, comparing the identification and quantification methods, the technologies applied for their control and remediation, and the policies and regulations necessary for their operation and application. In addition, This review will deal with different aspects of emerging contaminants, their origin, nature, detection, and treatment concerning water and wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadeem A Khan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security (IRC-MWS), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Eduardo Alberto López-Maldonado
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of Baja, California, CP 22390, Tijuana, Baja California, México.
| | - Abhradeep Majumder
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Simranjeet Singh
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Radhika Varshney
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - J R López
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. Las Américas S/N, C.P. 80000, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México
| | - P F Méndez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Av. Las Américas S/N, C.P. 80000, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México
| | - Praveen C Ramamurthy
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Mohammad Amir Khan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Knowledge Park I, Greater Noida, 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Afzal Husain Khan
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Jazan University, P.O. Box. 706, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam; Department of Biosciences, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India.
| | - Waqas Amhad
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electonic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China
| | - S Z M Shamshuddin
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, HMS Institute of Technology, Tumakuru, 572104, Karnataka, India
| | - Isam H Aljundi
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security (IRC-MWS), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Chemical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Krebs R, Farrington KE, Johnson GR, Luckarift HR, Diltz RA, Owens JR. Biotechnology to reduce logistics burden and promote environmental stewardship for Air Force civil engineering requirements. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108269. [PMID: 37797730 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
This review provides discussion of advances in biotechnology with specific application to civil engineering requirements for airfield and airbase operations. The broad objectives are soil stabilization, waste management, and environmental protection. The biotechnology focal areas address (1) treatment of soil and sand by biomineralization and biopolymer addition, (2) reduction of solid organic waste by anaerobic digestion, (3) application of microbes and higher plants for biological processing of contaminated wastewater, and (4) use of indigenous materials for airbase construction and repair. The consideration of these methods in military operating scenarios, including austere environments, involves comparison with conventional techniques. All four focal areas potentially reduce logistics burden, increase environmental sustainability, and may provide energy source, or energy-neutral practices that benefit military operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Krebs
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, USA.
| | - Karen E Farrington
- ARCTOS, LLC, 2601 Mission Point Blvd., Ste. 300, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA; Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 139 Barnes Drive, Suite #2, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL 32403, USA.
| | - Glenn R Johnson
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, USA; Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 139 Barnes Drive, Suite #2, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL 32403, USA.
| | - Heather R Luckarift
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, USA; Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 139 Barnes Drive, Suite #2, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL 32403, USA.
| | - Robert A Diltz
- Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 139 Barnes Drive, Suite #2, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL 32403, USA.
| | - Jeffery R Owens
- Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 139 Barnes Drive, Suite #2, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL 32403, USA.
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22
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Vatankhah H, Anderson RH, Ghosh R, Willey J, Leeson A. A review of innovative approaches for onsite management of PFAS-impacted investigation derived waste. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120769. [PMID: 37931356 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120769] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The historic use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has led to widespread detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in groundwater, soils, sediments, drinking water, wastewater, and receiving aquatic systems throughout the United States (U.S.). Prior to any remediation activities, in order to identify the PFAS-impacted source zones and select the optimum management approach, extensive site investigations need to be conducted. These site investigations have resulted in the generation of considerable amount of investigation-derived waste (IDW) which predominantly consists of well purging water and drill fluid, equipment washing residue, soil, drill cuttings, and residues from the destruction of asphalt and concrete surfaces. IDW is often impacted by varying levels of PFAS which poses a substantial challenge concerning disposal to prevent potential mobilization of PFAS, logistical complexities, and increasing requirement for storage as a result of accumulation of the associated wastes. The distinct features of IDW involve the intermittent generation of waste, substantial volume of waste produced, and the critical demand for onsite management. This article critically focuses on innovative technologies and approaches employed for onsite treatment and management of PFAS-impacted IDW. The overall objective of this study centers on developing and deploying end-of-life treatment technology systems capable of facilitating unrestricted disposal, discharge, and/or IDW reuse on-site, thereby reducing spatial footprints and mobilization time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooman Vatankhah
- Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, Arlington, VA, USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Leeson
- Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, Arlington, VA, USA
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23
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Ji Y, Choi YJ, Fang Y, Pham HS, Nou AT, Lee LS, Niu J, Warsinger DM. Electric Field-Assisted Nanofiltration for PFOA Removal with Exceptional Flux, Selectivity, and Destruction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:18519-18528. [PMID: 36657468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04874] [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: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose significant environmental and human health risks and thus require solutions for their removal and destruction. However, PFAS cannot be destroyed by widely used removal processes like nanofiltration (NF). A few scarcely implemented advanced oxidation processes can degrade PFAS. In this study, we apply an electric field to a membrane system by placing a nanofiltration membrane between reactive electrodes in a crossflow configuration. The performance of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) rejection, water flux, and energy consumption were evaluated. The reactive and robust SnO2-Sb porous anode was created via a sintering and sol-gel process. The characterization and analysis techniques included field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography, mass spectroscopy, porosimeter, and pH meter. The PFOA rejection increased from 45% (0 V) to 97% (30 V) when the electric field and filtration were in the same direction, while rejection capabilities worsened in opposite directions. With saline solutions (1 mM Na2SO4) present, the induced electro-oxidation process could effectively mineralize PFOA, although this led to unstable removal and water fluxes. The design achieved an exceptional performance in the nonsaline feed of 97% PFOA rejection and water flux of 68.4 L/m2 hr while requiring only 7.31 × 10-5 kWh/m3/order of electrical energy. The approach's success is attributed to the proximity of the electrodes and membrane, which causes a stronger electric field, weakened concentration polarization, and reduced mass transfer distances of PFOA near the membrane. The proposed electric field-assisted nanofiltration design provides a practical membrane separation method for PFAS removal from water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyuan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Youn Jeong Choi
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Yuhang Fang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Hoang Son Pham
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Alliyan Tan Nou
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Linda S Lee
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Interdisciplinary Ecological Sciences & Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Environmental & Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Junfeng Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - David M Warsinger
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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24
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Wee SY, Aris AZ. Environmental impacts, exposure pathways, and health effects of PFOA and PFOS. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115663. [PMID: 37976959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115663] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been widely utilized in various industries since the 1940s, and have now emerged as environmental contaminants. In recent years, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been restricted and replaced with several alternatives. The high persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of these substances have contributed to their emergence as environmental contaminants, and several aspects of their behavior remain largely unknown and require further investigation. The trace level of PFAS makes the development of a monitoring database challenging. Additionally, the potential health issues associated with PFAS are not yet fully understood due to ongoing research and inadequate evidence (experimental and epidemiological studies), especially with regard to the combined effects of exposure to PFAS mixtures and human health risks from drinking water consumption. This in-depth review offers unprecedented insights into the exposure pathways and toxicological impacts of PFAS, addressing critical knowledge gaps in their behaviors and health implications. It presents a comprehensive NABC-Needs, Approach, Benefits, and Challenges-analysis to guide future strategies for the sustainable monitoring and management of these pervasive environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Yee Wee
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Ahmad Zaharin Aris
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
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25
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Haupert LM, Redding A, Gray JM, Civardi J, Datsov B, Sanan TT, Mills MA, Speth TF, Burkhardt JB. Impact of phosphate addition on PFAS treatment performance for drinking water. AWWA WATER SCIENCE 2023; 5:10.1002/aws2.1361. [PMID: 38152622 PMCID: PMC10750846 DOI: 10.1002/aws2.1361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Adding new unit operations to drinking water treatment systems requires consideration of not only efficacy for its design purpose but also costs, water quality characteristics, impact on overall regulatory compliance, and impact of other treatment unit operations. Here, pilot study results for ion exchange (IX) and granular activated carbon (GAC) are presented for a utility with both per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and volatile organic contaminant removal needs. Specifically, the impact of upstream air stripping and phosphate addition on PFAS treatment performance was evaluated. Modeling was used to fit the IX and GAC pilot data and predict performance under different scenarios. GAC performance was generally consistent for treating water before or after the air stripper, but the addition of phosphate prior to air-stripping resulted in a loss of 15%-25% capacity for some PFAS on IX media, demonstrating the need to consider the entire treatment train before implementing PFAS removal unit operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi M. Haupert
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Adam Redding
- Calgon Carbon Corporation, Drinking Water Solutions, Moon Township, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Boris Datsov
- ORAU Student Services Contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Toby T. Sanan
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Marc A. Mills
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas F. Speth
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jonathan B. Burkhardt
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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26
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Wang X, Zhang H, Ham S, Qiao R. Graphene Oxide and Its Derivatives as Adsorbents for PFOA Molecules. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:9620-9629. [PMID: 37883484 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Effective, low-cost adsorbents are needed to remove perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water sources. Carbon-based materials are promising PFAS adsorbents. Here, we explore the potential of graphite oxide (GO) and its derivatives as PFAS adsorbents by studying the adsorption of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a model PFAS molecule, on GO surfaces with O/C ratios up to 16.7% using molecular dynamics simulations. An adsorption free energy of approximately -30 kJ/mol (or -310 meV) is obtained for pristine graphene in pure water, and adsorbed PFOA molecules diffuse rapidly. As the O/C ratio increases, hydrophobic interactions' contribution to PFOA adsorption diminishes, but that by electrostatic interactions becomes important. Overall, adsorption is weakened, but favorable adsorption still occurs at an O/C ratio of 16.7%. The in-plane diffusion coefficient of adsorbed PFOA molecules decreases by more than 45 times as the O/C ratio increases to 8.3% but increases significantly when the O/C ratio increases further to 16.7%. Adding salt improves the adsorption owing to the salting-out and screening effects but slows the diffusion of adsorbed PFOA molecules, and these effects are more pronounced at low O/C ratios. These results show that GOs are effective PFOA adsorbents. Such effectiveness, along with GO's potentially low cost and the possibility of regenerating spent GO by removing adsorbed PFOA molecules through a mild electrical potential, makes GO a promising adsorbent for PFOA and similar molecules. The insights from the present study can help the rational design of GOs to realize their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Seokgyun Ham
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Rui Qiao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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27
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Zhang Y, Thomas A, Apul O, Venkatesan AK. Coexisting ions and long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) inhibit the adsorption of short-chain PFAS by granular activated carbon. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132378. [PMID: 37643572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the competitive adsorption between long-chain and short-chain PFAS and the impact of coexisting ions to understand the mechanisms leading to the early breakthrough of short-chain PFAS from granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. Three pairs of short-chain and long-chain PFAS representing different functional groups were studied using GAC (Filtrasorb 400) in batch systems. In bisolute systems, the presence of long-chain PFAS decreased the adsorption of short-chain PFAS by 30-50% compared to their single solute adsorption capacity (0.22-0.31 mmol/g). In contrast to the partial decrease observed in bisolute systems, the addition of long-chain PFAS to GAC pre-equilibrated with short-chain PFAS completely desorbed all short-chain PFAS from GAC. This suggested that the outermost adsorption sites on GAC were preferentially occupied by short-chain PFAS in the absence of competition but were prone to displacement by long-chain PFAS. The presence of inorganic/organic ions inhibited the adsorption of short-chain PFAS (up to 60%) but had little to no impact on long-chain PFAS, with the inhibitory trend inversely correlated with Kow values. Study results indicated that the displacement of short-chain PFAS by long-chain PFAS and charge neutralization are important mechanisms contributing to the early breakthrough of short-chain PFAS from GAC systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Amanda Thomas
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Onur Apul
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
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28
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Nakazawa Y, Kosaka K, Yoshida N, Asami M, Matsui Y. Long-term removal of perfluoroalkyl substances via activated carbon process for general advanced treatment purposes. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120559. [PMID: 37713795 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Granular or powdered activated carbon (GAC/PAC) processes are installed in full-scale drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) to reduce disinfection byproduct precursors, odor, ammonia, and pesticides. This study investigated the ability of GAC/PAC processes in 23 DWTPs to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). In the GAC process, filter breakthrough of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) occurred faster as the PFCA chain length is decreased. During periods of high water temperatures (20-29 °C), the effluent concentration of two short-chain PFCAs (C4 and C5) surpassed that of the influent after the throughput reached 5,000-7,500 bed volumes (equivalent to 2-3 months) due to desorption. However, such desorption was not observed during periods of low water temperatures (5-19 °C). Meanwhile, long-chain PFCAs were consistently removed, as the GAC was replaced before breakthrough became noticeable. PFAS removal deteriorated at a remarkably fast rate after a partial breakthrough of several tens of percent. Biological activated carbon was proved ineffective in removing PFASs due to its diminished adsorption capacity after long-term use. The PAC process, however, exhibited a slight decrease in PFCA residual (10%) at higher water temperatures (15-30 °C). The PAC dose required for a certain residual ratio was lower with an increase in the hydrophobicity of PFAS; C8-PFCA only required 20 mg/L of PAC for 50% removal, while C4-PFCA required a significantly higher dose of 100-700 mg/L. Consequently, the activated carbon process, which removes organic contaminants in surface water, was inadequate in removing PFASs, particularly those with short chains. Thus, it is recommended that GAC filters be replaced more frequently (within two months) for short-chain PFAS removal. Further, the adsorption performance of PAC must be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Nakazawa
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama 351-0197, Japan
| | - Koji Kosaka
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama 351-0197, Japan.
| | - Nobue Yoshida
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama 351-0197, Japan
| | - Mari Asami
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama 351-0197, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Matsui
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
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29
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Wang J, Ji Z, Fan P, Duan J, Xiong J, Liu Z, Hou Y, Wang N. Effects of inorganic ions with different concentrations on the nanofiltration separation performance of perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 337:139334. [PMID: 37379976 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139334] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) is a kind of anthropogenic recalcitrant contaminant that has posed a threat to drinking water safety and brought widespread public health concerns. Nanofiltration (NF) is an effective way to remove PFBS from drinking water, while the removal is influenced by coexisting ions. To investigate the effects and intrinsic mechanisms of coexisting ions on the rejection of PFBS, poly(piperazineamide) NF membrane was utilized in this work. Results showed that most cations and anions in the feedwater could effectively improve PFBS rejection and simultaneously reduce NF membrane permeability. In most cases, the decrease in NF membrane permeability corresponded to an increase in the valence of cations or anions. When cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) were present, the rejection of PFBS was effectively improved from 79% to more than 91.07%. Under these conditions, electrostatic exclusion was the dominant NF rejection mechanism. This was also the leading mechanism for 0.1 mmol/L Fe3+ coexisted condition. As the concentration of Fe3+ increased to 0.5-1 mmol/L, intensified hydrolyzation would accelerate the formation of the cake layers. The differences in the cake layer characteristics led to the different rejection trends of PFBS. For anions (SO42- and PO43-), both sieving effects and electrostatic exclusion were enhanced. As anionic concentration raised, the NF rejection of PFBS increased to above 90.15%. By contrast, the effect of Cl- on PFBS rejection was also affected by coexisting cations in the solution. The dominant NF rejection mechanism was electrostatic exclusion. Accordingly, it is suggested that the usage of negatively charged NF membranes could facilitate the efficient separation of PFBS under ionic coexisting conditions, thereby ensuring the safety of drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxuan Wang
- School of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 58, Xi'an, 710054, China; Shaanxi Yulin Changjialiang Shengli Coal Mine Co., Ltd., Niujialiang Town, Yulin, 719000, China; Research Institute of Membrane Separation Technology of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 13, Xi'an, 710055, China.
| | - Zhengxuan Ji
- School of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 58, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Peiru Fan
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 13, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Jiaqi Duan
- School of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 58, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Jiaqing Xiong
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 13, Xi'an, 710055, China; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 13, Xi'an, 710055, China; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China; Yulin Ecological Environment Monitoring Station, High-tech Zone Xingda Road, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Yushi Hou
- Shaanxi Architectural Design and Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Wen Jing Road, No. 58, Xi'an, 710018, China
| | - Na Wang
- School of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 58, Xi'an, 710054, China
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30
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Pang H, Allinson M, Northcott K, Schultz A, Scales PJ. Demonstrating removal credits for contaminants of emerging concern in recycled water through a reverse osmosis barrier-A predictive framework. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120427. [PMID: 37567126 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The performance of individual reverse osmosis (RO) systems varies significantly with different contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). As such, log reduction values (LRVs) of the concentration of these chemicals cannot be arbitrarily credited in water treatment and water recycling. This study looks to present an approach to the management of chemical risks by providing a systematic validation of RO barrier performance with respect to LRV credits for various classes of CECs. In this work, a one-off sampling campaign across five treatment barriers (strainer filtration, ultrafiltration, RO, ion exchange, chlorination) of a full-scale water recycling plant was conducted, followed by a systematic sampling campaign for a period of six weeks across just the RO barrier. The CECs screening methodology used GC-MS for quantification of 948 trace organic chemicals along with specific 44 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) screening using LC-MS/MS to demonstrate the removal credits of the RO barrier to a wide spectrum of CECs. The work was used to validate an LRV barrier credit framework so as to predict the performance of a polyamide RO membrane for removal of a range of chemical classes, under typical operational conditions. Conductivity was validated as an efficient surrogate for membrane integrity and RO performance, along with specified operational conditions associated with permeate flux and recovery rate. A bioassay method (photobacterium test) showed good potential to be used as a quick measure to indicate the general toxicity of a sample caused by chemical contamination, because of its high detection sensitivity and time and cost efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiao Pang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Mayumi Allinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kathy Northcott
- Veolia Australia & New Zealand, Melbourne, VIC 3006, Australia
| | - Aaron Schultz
- Veolia Australia & New Zealand, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Peter J Scales
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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31
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Nyström-Kandola J, Ahrens L, Glynn A, Johanson G, Benskin JP, Gyllenhammar I, Lignell S, Vogs C. Low concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in municipal drinking water associated with serum PFAA concentrations in Swedish adolescents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108166. [PMID: 37708812 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
While highly contaminated drinking water (DW) is a major source of exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), the contribution of low-level contaminated DW (i.e. < 10 ng/L of individual PFAAs) to PFAA body burdens has rarely been studied. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the association between concentrations of perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and their sum (∑4PFAAs) in DW and serum in Swedish adolescents using weighted least squares regression. We paired serum PFAA concentrations in adolescents (age 10-21 years, n = 790) from the dietary survey Riksmaten Adolescents 2016-17 (RMA) with mean PFAA concentrations in water samples collected in 2018 from waterworks (n = 45) supplying DW to the participant residential and school addresses. The median concentrations of individual PFAAs in DW were < 1 ng/L. Median concentrations of PFNA and PFHxS in serum were < 1 ng/g, while those of PFOA and PFOS were 1-2 ng/g. Significant positive associations between PFAA concentrations in DW and serum were found for all four PFAAs and ∑4PFAAs, with estimated serum/DW concentration ratios ranging from 210 (PFOA) to 670 (PFHxS), taking exposure from sources other than DW (background) into consideration. The mean concentrations of PFHxS and ∑4PFAA in DW that would likely cause substantially elevated serum concentrations above background variation were estimated to 0.9 ng/L and 2.4 ng/L, respectively. The European Food Safety Authority has determined a health concern concentration of 6.9 ng ∑4PFAAs/mL serum. This level was to a large degree exceeded by RMA participants with DW ∑4PFAA concentrations above the maximum limits implemented in Denmark (2 ng ∑4PFAAs/L) and Sweden (4 ng ∑4PFAAs/L) than by RMA participants with DW concentrations below the maximum limits. In conclusion, PFAA exposure from low-level contaminated DW must be considered in risk assessment for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nyström-Kandola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Johanson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 210, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, P.O. Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, P.O. Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Vogs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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32
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Wang Y, Ji Y, Li K, Huang Q. Foam fractionation and electrochemical oxidation for the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental water samples. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 339:139615. [PMID: 37499808 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of waters contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in large volumes remains a challenge to date. Treatment trains comprising separation and destruction technologies are promising to manage PFAS contamination. Foam fractionation (FF) and electrochemical oxidation (EO) are two cost-effective technologies for PFAS separation and destruction, respectively. This work systematically explored the performance of a treatment train of FF followed by EO (FF-EO) for treating PFAS in environmental water samples. For each treatment step, the dependence of the treatment performance on operational factors and other variables were analyzed statistically. The statistical analysis revealed PFAS enrichment and removal depend significantly on PFAS carbon chain length, solution conductivity, and PFAS concentration. Whether FF-EO treatment costs less energy than direct EO without FF mainly relies upon PFAS carbon chain length and TOC content in the sample. Both correlations were found to be linear. For all environmental water samples in this study, FF-EO is more energy-efficient than EO alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA, 30223, USA
| | - Yuqing Ji
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA, 30223, USA
| | - Ke Li
- College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Qingguo Huang
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA, 30223, USA.
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33
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Jia Y, Shan C, Fu W, Wei S, Pan B. Occurrences and fates of per- and polyfluoralkyl substances in textile dyeing wastewater along full-scale treatment processes. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120289. [PMID: 37413748 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Industrial wastewater is a substantial source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment. However, very limited information is available on the occurrences and fates of PFASs along industrial wastewater treatment processes, particularly for the textile dyeing industry where PFASs occur extensively. Herein, the occurrences and fates of 27 legacy and emerging PFASs were investigated along the processes of three full-scale textile dyeing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) based on UHPLC-MS/MS in combination with self-developed solid extraction protocol featuring selective enrichment for ultrasensitive analysis. The total PFASs ranged at 630-4268 ng L-1 in influents, 436-755 ng L-1 in effluents, and 91.5-1182 μg kg-1 in the resultant sludge. PFAS species distribution varied among WWTPs, with one WWTP dominated by legacy perfluorocarboxylic acids while the other two dominated by emerging PFASs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was trivial in the effluents from all the three WWTPs, indicating its diminished use in textile industry. Various emerging PFASs were detected at different abundances, demonstrating their use as alternatives to legacy PFASs. Most conventional processes of the WWTPs were inefficient in removing PFASs, especially for the legacy PFASs. The microbial processes could remove the emerging PFASs to different extents, whereas commonly elevated the concentrations of legacy PFASs. Over 90% of most PFASs could be removed by reverse osmosis (RO) and was enriched into the RO concentrate accordingly. The total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay revealed that the total concentration of PFASs was increased by 2.3-4.1 times after oxidation, accompanied by formation of terminal perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and degradation of emerging alternatives to various extents. This study is believed to shed new light on the monitoring and management of PFASs in industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chao Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Wanyi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bingcai Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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34
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Tajdini B, Vatankhah H, Murray CC, Liethen A, Bellona C. Impact of effluent organic matter on perfluoroalkyl acid removal from wastewater effluent by granular activated carbon and alternative adsorbents. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 241:120105. [PMID: 37270948 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120105] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in wastewater effluent coupled with increasingly stringent regulations has increased the need for more effective sorption-based PFAA treatment approaches. This study investigated the impact of ozone (O3)- biologically active filtration (BAF) as integral components of non-reverse osmosis (RO)-based potable reuse treatment trains and as a potential pretreatment option to improve adsorptive PFAA removal from wastewater effluent by nonselective (e.g., granular activated carbon (GAC) and selective (e.g., anionic exchange resins (AER) and surface-modified clay (SMC)) adsorbents. For nonselective GAC, O3 and BAF resulted in similar PFAA removal improvements, while BAF alone performed better than O3 for AER and SMC. O3-BAF in tandem resulted in the highest PFAA removal performance improvement among pretreatments investigated for selective and nonselective adsorbents. Side by side evaluation of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) breakthrough curves and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for each pretreatment scenario suggested that despite the higher affinity of selective adsorbents towards PFAAs, the competition between PFAA and effluent organic matter (EfOM) (molecular weights (MWs): 100-1000 Da) negatively impacts the performance of these adsorbents. The SEC results also demonstrated that transformation of hydrophobic EfOM to more hydrophilic molecules during O3 and biotransformation of EfOM during BAF were the dominant mechanisms responsible for alleviating the competition between PFAA and EfOM, resulting in PFAA removal improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Tajdini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Hooman Vatankhah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Conner C Murray
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA; Hazen and Sawyer, Lakewood, CO, USA
| | - Alexander Liethen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Christopher Bellona
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA.
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35
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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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36
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Burkhardt JB, Cadwallader A, Pressman JG, Magnuson ML, Williams AJ, Sinclair G, Speth TF. Polanyi adsorption potential theory for estimating PFAS treatment with granular activated carbon. JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING 2023; 53:1-10. [PMID: 37234354 PMCID: PMC10208310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.103691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that have gained interest because some PFAS have been shown to have negative health effects and prolonged environmental and biological persistence. Chemicals classified as PFAS have a wide range of chemical moieties that impart widely variable properties, leading to a range of water treatment process efficacies. The Polanyi Potential Adsorption Theory was used to estimate Freundlich isotherm parameters to predict the efficacy of granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment for 428 PFAS chemicals for which the vast majority had no previously published treatment data. This method accounts for the physical/chemical characteristics of the individual PFAS beyond molecular weight or chain length that have previously been employed. From a statistical analysis of available data and model results, many of the 428 PFAS were predicted to be effectively treatable by GAC. Although not directly applicable to full-scale design, the approach demonstrates a systematic method for predicting the effectiveness of GAC where isotherm or column data are not available. This then can be used to prioritize future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B. Burkhardt
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Adam Cadwallader
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Jonathan G. Pressman
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, OH 45268, USA
| | - Matthew L. Magnuson
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Antony J. Williams
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Gabriel Sinclair
- Syngenta (formerly at, National Student Services Contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)
| | - Thomas F. Speth
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
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37
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Krebsbach S, He J, Adhikari S, Olshansky Y, Feyzbar F, Davis LC, Oh TS, Wang D. Mechanistic understanding of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) sorption by biochars. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138661. [PMID: 37044140 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Biochar has recently emerged as a cost-effective solution to combat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution in water, but mechanistic understanding of which physicochemical properties of biochars dictate PFAS sorptive removal from water remains elusive. Herein, 15 biochars were pyrolyzed from five feedstocks (corn, Douglas fir, eucalyptus, poplar, and switchgrass) at three pyrolysis temperatures (500, 700, and 900 °C) to investigate their removal efficiencies and mechanisms of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) from water. A commercial biochar was also included for comparison. Biochar physiochemical properties, including elemental composition, pH, specific surface area (SSA), pore structure, hydrophobicity, surface charge, surface functional groups, and crystalline structure were systematically characterized. Batch sorption data showed that the Douglas fir 900 biochar (Douglas fir and 900 are the feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, respectively; this naming rule applies to other biochars), poplar 900 biochar, and commercial biochar can remove over 95% of PFOS from water. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to elucidate which biochar properties affect PFOS sorption. Interestingly, biochar pore diameter was identified as the most critical factor controlling PFOS removal, but pore diameter/pore volume ratio, SSA, pyrolysis temperature, hydrophobicity, and elemental composition all played variable roles. Hypothetically, biochars with small pore diameters and large pore volumes had a narrow yet deep pore structure that traps PFOS molecules inside once already sorbed, resulting in an enhanced PFOS sorption. Biochars with small pore diameter, low nitrogen content, and high pyrolysis temperature were also favorable for enhanced PFOS sorption. Our findings advance the knowledge of using biochars with optimized properties to remove PFOS and possibly other similar PFAS compounds from water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Krebsbach
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Jianzhou He
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Sushil Adhikari
- Biosystems Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Yaniv Olshansky
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Farshad Feyzbar
- Department of Chemical Engineering Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Leonard C Davis
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, East Central University, Ada, OK, 74820, USA
| | - Tae-Sik Oh
- Department of Chemical Engineering Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Dengjun Wang
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
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38
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Ehsan MN, Riza M, Pervez MN, Khyum MMO, Liang Y, Naddeo V. Environmental and health impacts of PFAS: Sources, distribution and sustainable management in North Carolina (USA). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:163123. [PMID: 37001657 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of manufactured chemicals that have recently attracted a great deal of attention from environmental regulators and the general public because of their high prevalence, resistance to degradation, and potential toxicity. This review summarizes the current state of PFAS and its effects on the environment of North Carolina, USA. Specific emphasis has been placed to identify i) the sources of PFAS in North Carolina ii) distribution of PFAS in different environmental segments of North Carolina, including surface water, groundwater, air, and sediment iii) drinking water contamination iv) impact of PFAS on human health v) PFAS accumulation in fish and other biota vi) status of PFAS removal from drinking water and finally vi) socioeconomic impact of PFAS uncertainties. Continuous discharges of PFAS occur in the North Carolina environment from direct and indirect sources, including manufacturing sites, firefighting foam, waste disposal and treatment plants, landfill leachate, and industrial emissions. PFAS are widespread in many environmental segments of North Carolina. They are more likely to be detected in surface and groundwater sediments and can enter aquatic bodies through direct discharge and wet and dry deposition of emissions. Eventually, some adverse effects of PFAS have already been reported in North Carolina residents who could have been exposed to the chemicals through contaminated drinking water. Furthermore, PFAS were also found in blood samples from fish and alligators. PFAS were confirmed to be present in water, sediment, organic compounds, and aquatic species at all levels of the food web. However, there is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the actual contamination by PFAS in North Carolina comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mumtahina Riza
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7617, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA.
| | - Md Nahid Pervez
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, 66 University of Salerno, Fisciano 84084, Italy; Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | | | - Yanna Liang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Vincenzo Naddeo
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, 66 University of Salerno, Fisciano 84084, Italy.
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Li Y, Yao J, Pan Y, Dai J, Tang J. Trophic behaviors of PFOA and its alternatives perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) in a coastal food web. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:131353. [PMID: 37030227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing restrictions and concerns about legacy poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the production and usage of alternatives, i.e., perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs), have risen recently. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the bioaccumulation and trophic behaviors of emerging PFECAs in coastal ecosystems. The bioaccumulation and trophodynamics of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its substitutes (PFECAs) were investigated in Laizhou Bay, which is located downstream of a fluorochemical industrial park in China. Hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TrA), perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA) and PFOA constituted the dominant compounds in the ecosystem of Laizhou Bay. PFMOAA was dominant in invertebrates, whereas the long-chain PFECAs preferred to accumulate in fishes. The PFAS concentrations in carnivorous invertebrates were higher than those in filter-feeding species. Considering migration behaviors, the ∑PFAS concentrations followed the order oceanodromous fish < diadromous fish < non-migratory fish. The trophic magnification factors (TMFs) of long-chain PFECAs (HFPO-TrA, HFPO-TeA and PFO5DoA) were >1, suggesting trophic magnification potential, while biodilution for short-chain PFECAs (PFMOAA) was observed. The intake of PFOA in seafood may constitute a great threat to human health. More attention should be given to the impact of emerging hazardous PFAS on organisms for the health of ecosystems and human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shandong KeyLaboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, YICCAS, Yantai 264003, China; School of Resources and Environment, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Jingzhi Yao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yitao Pan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianhui Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shandong KeyLaboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, YICCAS, Yantai 264003, China.
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40
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Alinezhad A, Shao H, Litvanova K, Sun R, Kubatova A, Zhang W, Li Y, Xiao F. Mechanistic Investigations of Thermal Decomposition of Perfluoroalkyl Ether Carboxylic Acids and Short-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:8796-8807. [PMID: 37195265 PMCID: PMC10269594 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the thermal decomposition mechanisms of perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) and short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) that have been manufactured as replacements for phased-out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). C-C, C-F, C-O, O-H, and C═C bond dissociation energies were calculated at the M06-2X/Def2-TZVP level of theory. The α-C and carboxyl-C bond dissociation energy of PFECAs declines with increasing chain length and the attachment of an electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl (-CF3) group to the α-C. Experimental and computational results show that the thermal transformation of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid to trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) occurs due to the preferential cleavage of the C-O ether bond close to the carboxyl group. This pathway produces precursors of perfluoropropionic acid (PFPeA) and TFA and is supplemented by a minor pathway (CF3CF2CF2OCFCF3COOH → CF3CF2CF2· + ·OCFCF3COOH) through which perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) is formed. The weakest C-C bond in PFPeA and PFBA is the one connecting the α-C and the β-C. The results support (1) the C-C scission in the perfluorinated backbone as an effective PFCA thermal decomposition mechanism and (2) the thermal recombination of radicals through which intermediates are formed. Additionally, we detected a few novel thermal decomposition products of studied PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Alinezhad
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Heng Shao
- Key
Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education,
State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Katerina Litvanova
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
| | - Runze Sun
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Alena Kubatova
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- John
A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Yang Li
- Key
Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education,
State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Xiao
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
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41
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Ghorbani Gorji S, Hawker DW, Mackie R, Higgins CP, Bowles K, Li Y, Kaserzon S. Sorption affinity and mechanisms of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with commercial sorbents: Implications for passive sampling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131688. [PMID: 37257384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Effective monitoring tools, including passive samplers, are essential for the wide range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic matrices. However, knowledge of the extent and mechanisms of PFASs sorption with sorbents in a passive sampling context is limited. To address this, sorption behavior of 45 anionic, neutral and zwitterionic PFASs ranging in perfluorocarbon chain length (C3-C16) and functional groups with 11 different commercial sorbents (cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers, activated carbon, anion exchange (AE), cation exchange, hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) and non-polar) was investigated. A broad range of equilibrium sorbent-MilliQ water (MQ) distribution coefficients (Kd) were observed (10-1.95 to 108.30 mL g-1). Similar sorbent types (e.g., various AE and HLB sorbents) exhibited very different sorption behavior, likely due to their different polymeric structures and relative importance of sorbate/sorbent interactions other than coulombic interactions. HLB and AE with hydroxyl functionalities are most effective for sampling of the full suite of PFASs. Reduced sorptive affinity was observed in the presence of matrix co-constituents in wastewater influent for most PFASs. HLB had the smallest reduction in log Kd in wastewater suggesting that these sorbents are appropriate for applications in complex matrices. Sufficient sorbent capacity was observed for linear uptake of many target analytes which facilitates passive sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ghorbani Gorji
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Darryl W Hawker
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rachel Mackie
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, CO, United States
| | - Karl Bowles
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Jacobs, North Sydney, Australia
| | - Yan Li
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sarit Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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42
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Ilango AK, Jiang T, Zhang W, Feldblyum JI, Efstathiadis H, Liang Y. Surface-modified biopolymers for removing mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from water: Screening and removal mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 331:121865. [PMID: 37225078 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Green, renewable, and sustainable materials are needed for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water. Herein, we synthesized and tested alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CTN) based and polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized fibers/aerogels for the adsorption of mixtures of 12 PFASs (9 short- and long-chain PFAAs, GenX, and 2 precursors) from water at an initial concentration of 10 μg/L each. Out of 11 biosorbents, ALGPEI-3 and GTH CTNPEI aerogels had the best sorption performance. Through detailed characterization of the sorbents before and after PFASs sorption, it was revealed that hydrophobic interaction was the dominant mechanism controlling PFASs sorption while electrostatic interactions played a minor role. As a result, both aerogels had fast and superior sorption of relatively hydrophobic PFASs from pH 2 to 10. Even at extreme pH conditions, the aerogels retained their shape perfectly. Based upon the isotherms, the maximum adsorption capacity of ALGPEI-3 and GTH-CTNPEI aerogels towards total PFASs removal was 3045 and 12,133 mg/g, respectively. Although the sorption performance of the GTH-CTNPEI aerogel toward short chain PFAS was less than satisfactory and varied between 70 and 90% in 24 h, it may find its use in removing relatively hydrophobic PFAS at high concentrations in complex and extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Kumar Ilango
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, United States.
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, United States
| | - Weilan Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, United States
| | - Jeremy I Feldblyum
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, United States
| | - Haralabos Efstathiadis
- College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Albany, NY, 12203, United States
| | - Yanna Liang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, United States
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43
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Southerland E, Birnbaum LS. What Limits Will the World Health Organization Recommend for PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:7103-7105. [PMID: 37127903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Southerland
- Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460, United States
| | - Linda S Birnbaum
- National Institute of Environmental Health Science and National Toxicology Program, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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44
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Murray CC, Safulko A, Vatankhah H, Liu CJ, Tajdini B, Marshall RE, Bellona C. PFAS adsorbent selection: The role of adsorbent use rate, water quality, and cost. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 454:131481. [PMID: 37146339 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in aqueous matrices has intensified the search for PFAS adsorbents with elevated capacity, selectivity, and cost effectiveness. A novel surface modified organoclay (SMC) adsorbent was evaluated for PFAS removal performance in parallel with granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange resin (IX) for the treatment of five distinct PFAS impaired waters including groundwater, landfill leachate, membrane concentrate and wastewater effluent. Rapid small scale column tests (RSSCTs) and breakthrough modeling were coupled to provide insight on adsorbent performance and cost for multiple PFAS and water types. IX exhibited the best performance with respect to adsorbent use rates in treatment of all tested waters. IX was nearly four times more effective than GAC and two times more effective than SMC in the treatment of PFOA from water types excluding groundwater. Employed modeling strengthened the comparison of adsorbent performance and water quality to infer adsorption feasibility. Further, evaluation of adsorption was extended beyond PFAS breakthrough with the inclusion of unit adsorbent cost as a decision metric influencing adsorbent selection. An analysis of levelized media cost indicated treatment of landfill leachate and membrane concentrate was at least three times more expensive than groundwaters or wastewaters evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conner C Murray
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA; Hazen and Sawyer, Lakewood, CO 80228, USA
| | - Andrew Safulko
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA; Brown and Caldwell, Lakewood, CO 80401, USA
| | - Hooman Vatankhah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Charlie J Liu
- Kennedy Jenks Consultants, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Bahareh Tajdini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | | | - Christopher Bellona
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
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45
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Tang L, Qiu W, Zhang S, Wang J, Yang X, Xu B, Magnuson JT, Xu EG, Wu M, Zheng C. Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances Induce Immunotoxicity via the TLR Pathway in Zebrafish: Links to Carbon Chain Length. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6139-6149. [PMID: 37017313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported the immunotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), but it remains a significant challenge to assess over 10,000 distinct PFASs registered in the distributed structure-searchable toxicity (DSSTox) database. We aim to reveal the mechanisms of immunotoxicity of different PFASs and hypothesize that PFAS immunotoxicity is dependent on the carbon chain length. Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) representing different carbon chain lengths (4-9) at environmentally relevant levels strongly reduced the host's antibacterial ability during the zebrafish's early-life stage. Innate and adaptive immunities were both suppressed after PFAS exposures, exhibiting a significant induction of macrophages and neutrophils and expression of immune-related genes and indicators. Interestingly, the PFAS-induced immunotoxic responses were positively correlated to the carbon chain length. Moreover, PFASs activated downstream genes of the toll-like receptor (TLR), uncovering a seminal role of TLR in PFAS immunomodulatory effects. Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) morpholino knock-down experiments and MyD88 inhibitors alleviated the immunotoxicity of PFASs. Overall, the comparative results demonstrate differences in the immunotoxic responses of PFASs due to carbon chain length in zebrafish, providing new insights into the prediction and classification of PFASs mode of toxic action based on carbon chain length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Wenhui Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiazhen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bentuo Xu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, School of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jason T Magnuson
- Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, University of Stavanger, Måltidets Hus - Richard Johnsens gate 4, Stavanger 4021, Norway
| | - Elvis Genbo Xu
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Minghong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chunmiao Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
- EIT Institute for Advanced Study, 568 Tongxin Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo 315410, China
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46
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McCleaf P, Stefansson W, Ahrens L. Drinking water nanofiltration with concentrate foam fractionation-A novel approach for removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). WATER RESEARCH 2023; 232:119688. [PMID: 36764110 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119688] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are recognized as persistent pollutants that have been found in drinking water sources on a global scale. Semi-permeable membrane treatment processes such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration (NF) have been shown effective at removing PFAS, however, disposal of PFAS laden concentrate is problematic. Without treatment of the concentrate, PFAS is released into the environment. The present work examined a novel PFAS removal scheme for drinking water using NF filtration with treatment of the resulting NF concentrate via foam fractionation (FF) with and without co-surfactants. The NF-pilot removed 98% of PFAS from AFFF contaminated groundwater producing permeate with 1.4 ng L-1 total PFAS. Using FF resulted in ∑PFAS removal efficiency of 90% from the NF concentrate and with improved removal of 94% with addition of cationic co-surfactant. The resulting foamate composed approximately 2% of the NF feedwater volume and contained greater than 3000 ng L-1 PFAS or 41 times greater than the NF feedwater. Addition of the cationic co-surfactant to the FF process resulted in increased removal efficiency of the shorter chain PFAS, specifically 37% for PFPeA, 9% for PFHxA, and 34% for PFBS thus attaining 59%, 99% and 96% removal efficiency, respectively. PFOA, PFPeS, PFHxS, PFOS each attained 99% FF removal with or without co-surfactant addition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip McCleaf
- Uppsala Water and Waste Ltd., P.O. Box 1444, SE-751 44 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - William Stefansson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P. O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P. O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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47
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Bowers BB, Lou Z, Xu J, De Silva AO, Xu X, Lowry GV, Sullivan RC. Nontarget analysis and fluorine atom balances of transformation products from UV/sulfite degradation of perfluoroalkyl contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:472-483. [PMID: 36722905 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00425a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of highly fluorinated, anthropogenic compounds that are used in a wide variety of consumer applications. Due to their widespread use and high persistence, PFAS are ubiquitous in drinking water, which is of concern due to the threats these compounds pose to human health. Reduction via the hydrated electron is a promising technology for PFAS remediation and has been well-studied. However, since previous work rarely reports fluorine atom balances and often relies on suspect screening, some transformation products are likely unaccounted for. Therefore, we performed non-target analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry on solutions of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate (GenX) that had been treated with UV/sulfite to produce hydrated electrons. We determined fluorine atom balances for all compounds studied, finding high fluorine atom balances for PFOS and PFBS. PFOA and GenX had lower overall fluorine atom balances, likely due to the production of volatile or very polar transformation products that were not measured by our methods. Transformation products identified by our analysis were consistent with literature, with a few exceptions. Namely, shorter-chain perfluorosulfonates (PFSA) and their H/F substituted counterparts were also detected from PFOS. This is an unexpected result based on literature, as no documented pathway exists for the formation of shorter-chain PFSA during UV/sulfite treatment. Furthermore, the nontarget approach we employed allowed for identification of novel, unsaturated products from the hydrated electron treatment of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey B Bowers
- Institute for Green Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Zimo Lou
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiang Xu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Xinhua Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Gregory V Lowry
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ryan C Sullivan
- Institute for Green Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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48
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Román Santiago A, Yin S, Elbert J, Lee J, Shukla D, Su X. Imparting Selective Fluorophilic Interactions in Redox Copolymers for the Electrochemically Mediated Capture of Short-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Substances. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:9508-9519. [PMID: 36944079 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
With increasing regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across the world, understanding the molecular level interactions that drive their binding by functional adsorbent materials is key to effective PFAS removal from water streams. With the phaseout of legacy long-chain PFAS, the emergence of short-chain PFAS has posed a significant challenge for material design due to their higher mobility and hydrophilicity and inefficient removal by conventional treatment methods. Here, we demonstrate how cooperative molecular interactions are essential to target short-chain PFAS (from C4 to C7) by tailoring structural units to enhance affinity while modulating the electrochemical control of capture and release of PFAS. We report a new class of fluorinated redox-active amine-functionalized copolymers to leverage both fluorophilic and electrostatic interactions for short-chain PFAS binding. We combine molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and electrosorption to elucidate the role of the designer functional groups in enabling affinity toward short-chain PFAS. Preferential interaction coefficients from MD simulations correlated closely with experimental trends: fluorination enhanced the overall PFAS uptake and promoted the capture of less hydrophobic short-chain PFAS (C ≤ 5), while electrostatic interactions provided by secondary amine groups were sufficient to capture PFAS with higher hydrophobicity (C ≥ 6). The addition of an induced electric field showed favorable kinetic enhancement for the shortest PFAS and increased the reversibility of release from the electrode. Integration of these copolymers with electrochemical separations showed potential for removing these contaminants at environmentally relevant conditions while eliminating the need for chemical regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaira Román Santiago
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Song Yin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Johannes Elbert
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jiho Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Diwakar Shukla
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Xiao Su
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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49
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Lei X, Lian Q, Zhang X, Karsili TK, Holmes W, Chen Y, Zappi ME, Gang DD. A review of PFAS adsorption from aqueous solutions: Current approaches, engineering applications, challenges, and opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 321:121138. [PMID: 36702432 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have drawn great attention due to their wide distribution in water bodies and toxicity to human beings. Adsorption is considered as an efficient treatment technique for meeting the increasingly stringent environmental and health standards for PFAS. This paper systematically reviewed the current approaches of PFAS adsorption using different adsorbents from drinking water as well as synthetic and real wastewater. Adsorbents with large mesopores and high specific surface area adsorb PFAS faster, their adsorption capacities are higher, and the adsorption process are usually more effective under low pH conditions. PFAS adsorption mechanisms mainly include electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interaction, anion exchange, and ligand exchange. Various adsorbents show promising performances but challenges such as requirements of organic solvents in regeneration, low adsorption selectivity, and complicated adsorbent preparations should be addressed before large scale implementation. Moreover, the aid of decision-making tools including response surface methodology (RSM), techno-economic assessment (TEA), life cycle assessment (LCA), and multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) were discussed for engineering applications. The use of these tools is highly recommended prior to scale-up to determine if the specific adsorption process is economically feasible and sustainable. This critical review presented insights into the most fundamental aspects of PFAS adsorption that would be helpful to the development of effective adsorbents for the removal of PFAS in future studies and provide opportunities for large-scale engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Lei
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; Center for Environmental Technology, The Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P. O. Box 43597, Lafayette, LA, 70504, USA
| | - Qiyu Lian
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; Center for Environmental Technology, The Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P. O. Box 43597, Lafayette, LA, 70504, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 Shangyuancun, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Tolga K Karsili
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
| | - William Holmes
- Center for Environmental Technology, The Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P. O. Box 43597, Lafayette, LA, 70504, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
| | - Yushun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, PR China
| | - Mark E Zappi
- Center for Environmental Technology, The Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P. O. Box 43597, Lafayette, LA, 70504, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
| | - Daniel Dianchen Gang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; Center for Environmental Technology, The Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P. O. Box 43597, Lafayette, LA, 70504, USA.
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50
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Sadia M, Nollen I, Helmus R, ter Laak TL, Béen F, Praetorius A, van Wezel AP. Occurrence, Fate, and Related Health Risks of PFAS in Raw and Produced Drinking Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3062-3074. [PMID: 36779784 PMCID: PMC9979608 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via drinking water and evaluates human health risks. An analytical method for 56 target PFAS, including ultrashort-chain (C2-C3) and branched isomers, was developed. The limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.009 to 0.1 ng/L, except for trifluoroacetic-acid and perfluoropropanoic-acid with higher LODs of 35 and 0.24 ng/L, respectively. The method was applied to raw and produced drinking water from 18 Dutch locations, including groundwater or surface water as source, and applied various treatment processes. Ultrashort-chain (300 to 1100 ng/L) followed by the group of perfluoroalkyl-carboxylic-acids (PFCA, ≥C4) (0.4 to 95.1 ng/L) were dominant. PFCA and perfluoroalkyl-sulfonic-acid (≥C4), including precursors, showed significantly higher levels in drinking water produced from surface water. However, no significant difference was found for ultrashort PFAS, indicating the need for groundwater protection. Negative removal of PFAS occasionally observed for advanced treatment indicates desorption and/or degradation of precursors. The proportion of branched isomers was higher in raw and produced drinking water as compared to industrial production. Drinking water produced from surface water, except for a few locations, exceed non-binding provisional guideline values proposed; however, all produced drinking waters met the recent soon-to-be binding drinking-water-directive requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sadia
- Institute
for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg Nollen
- Institute
for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Helmus
- Institute
for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas L. ter Laak
- Institute
for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- KWR
Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Frederic Béen
- KWR
Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Antonia Praetorius
- Institute
for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie P. van Wezel
- Institute
for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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