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Feng Y, You Y, Li M, Guan X, Fu M, Wang C, Xiao Y, He M, Guo H. Mitochondrial DNA copy number mediated the associations between perfluoroalkyl substances and breast cancer incidence: A prospective case-cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173767. [PMID: 38844220 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173767] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies have reported the relationships between perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and breast cancer incidence, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the mediation role of mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in the relationships between PFASs exposure and breast cancer risk. We conducted a case-cohort study within the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort, involving 226 incident breast cancer cases and a random sub-cohort (n = 990). Their plasma concentrations of six PFASs [including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)], and peripheral blood levels of mtDNAcn, were detected at baseline by using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Linear regression and Barlow-weighted Cox models were employed separately to assess the relationships of mtDNAcn with PFASs and breast cancer risk. Mediation analysis was further conducted to quantify the mediating effects of mtDNAcn on PFAS-breast cancer relationships. We observed increased blood mtDNAcn levels among participants with the highest PFNA and PFHpA exposure [Q4 vs. Q1, β(95%CI) = 0.092(0.022, 0.162) and 0.091(0.022, 0.160), respectively], while no significant associations were observed of PFOA, PFDA, PFOS, or PFHxS with mtDNAcn. Compared to participants within the lowest quartile subgroup of mtDNAcn, those with the highest mtDNAcn levels exhibited a significantly increased risk of breast cancer and postmenopausal breast cancer [Q4 vs. Q1, HR(95%CI) = 3.34(1.80, 6.20) and 3.71(1.89, 7.31)]. Furthermore, mtDNAcn could mediate 14.6 % of the PFHpA-breast cancer relationship [Indirect effect, HR(95%CI) = 1.02(1.00, 1.05)]. Our study unveiled the relationships of PFNA and the short-chain PFHpA with mtDNAcn and the mediation role of mtDNAcn in the PFHpA-breast cancer association. These findings provided insights into the potential biological mechanisms linking PFASs to breast cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Feng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Yingqian You
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengying Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Guan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Fu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Chenming Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Meian He
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Guo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, China.
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Sands M, Zhang X, Jensen T, La Frano M, Lin M, Irudayaraj J. PFAS assessment in fish - Samples from Illinois waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172357. [PMID: 38614344 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172357] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used in various industries, including pesticide production, electroplating, packaging, paper making, and the manufacturing of water-resistant clothes. This study investigates the levels of PFAS in fish tissues collected from four target waterways (15 sampling points) in the northwestern part of Illinois during 2021-2022. To assess accumulation, concentrations of 17 PFAS compounds were evaluated in nine fish species to potentially inform on exposure risks to local sport fishing population via fish consumption. At least four PFAS (PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFBS) were detected at each sampling site. The highest concentrations of PFAS were consistently found in samples from the Rock River, particularly in areas near urban and industrial activities. PFHxA emerged as the most accumulated PFAS in the year 2022, while PFBS and PFOS dominated in 2021. Channel Catfish exhibited the highest PFAS content across different fish species, indicating its bioaccumulation potential across the food chain. Elevated levels of PFOS were observed in nearly all fish, indicating the need for careful consideration of fish consumption. Additional bioaccumulation data in the future years is needed to shed light on the sources and PFAS accumulation potential in aquatic wildlife in relation to exposures for potential health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Sands
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Biomedical Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Biomedical Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Tor Jensen
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Biomedical Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Michael La Frano
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Mindy Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Biomedical Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, United States.
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3
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de Souza BB, Meegoda J. Insights into PFAS environmental fate through computational chemistry: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171738. [PMID: 38494023 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used chemicals that exhibit exceptional chemical and thermal stability. However, their resistance to degradation has led to their widespread environmental contamination. PFAS also negatively affect the environment and other organisms, highlighting the need for effective remediation methods to mitigate their presence and prevent further contamination. Computational chemistry methods, such as Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) offer valuable tools for studying PFAS and simulating their interactions with other molecules. This review explores how computational chemistry methods contribute to understanding and tackling PFAS in the environment. PFAS have been extensively studied using DFT and MD, each method offering unique advantages and computational limitations. MD simulates large macromolecules systems however it lacks the ability model chemical reactions, while DFT provides molecular insights however at a high computational cost. The integration of DFT with MD shows promise in predicting PFAS behavior in different environments. This work summarizes reported studies on PFAS compounds, focusing on adsorption, destruction, and bioaccumulation, highlighting contributions of computational methods while discussing the need for continued research. The findings emphasize the importance of computational chemistry in addressing PFAS contamination, guiding risk assessments, and informing future research and innovations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bezerra de Souza
- John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Jay Meegoda
- John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
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Wang L, Chen L, Wang J, Hou J, Han B, Liu W. Spatial distribution, compositional characteristics, and source apportionment of legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in farmland soil: A nationwide study in mainland China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134238. [PMID: 38608586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
China, as one of the largest global producers and consumers of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), faces concerning levels of PFAS pollution in soil. However, knowledge of their occurrence in agricultural soils of China on the national scale remains unknown. Herein, the first nationwide survey was done by collecting 352 soil samples from 31 provinces in mainland China. The results indicated that the Σ24PFASs concentrations were 74.3 - 24880.0 pg/g, with mean concentrations of PFASs in decreasing order of legacy PFASs > emerging PFASs > PFAS precursors (640.2 pg/g, 340.7 pg/g, and 154.9 pg/g, respectively). The concentrations in coastal eastern China were distinctly higher than those in inland regions. Tianjin was the most severely PFASs-contaminated province because of rapid urban industrialization. This study further compared the PFAS content in monoculture and multiple cropping farmland soils, finding the concentrations of PFASs were high in soils planted with vegetable and fruit monocultures. Moreover, a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was employed to identify different sources of PFASs. Fluoropolymer industries and aqueous film-forming foams were the primary contributors. The contributions from different emission sources varied across the seven geographical regions. This study provides new baseline data for prevention and control policies for reducing pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Liyuan Chen
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinze Wang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jie Hou
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Bingjun Han
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wenxin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Kikanme KN, Dennis NM, Orikpete OF, Ewim DRE. PFAS in Nigeria: Identifying data gaps that hinder assessments of ecotoxicological and human health impacts. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29922. [PMID: 38694092 PMCID: PMC11061687 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
This review examines the extensive use and environmental consequences of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on a global scale, specifically emphasizing their potential impact in Nigeria. Recognized for their resistance to water and oil, PFAS are under increased scrutiny for their persistent nature and possible ecotoxicological risks. Here, we consolidate existing knowledge on the ecological and human health effects of PFAS in Nigeria, focusing on their neurological effects and the risks they pose to immune system health. We seek to balance the advantages of PFAS with their potential ecological and health hazards, thereby enhancing understanding of PFAS management in Nigeria and advocating for more effective policy interventions and the creation of safer alternatives. The review concludes with several recommendations: strengthening regulatory frameworks, intensifying research into the ecological and health impacts of PFAS, developing new methodologies and longitudinal studies, fostering collaborative efforts for PFAS management, and promoting public awareness and education to support sustainable environmental practices and healthier communities in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole M. Dennis
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Ochuko Felix Orikpete
- Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (COHSE), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
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Xiao W, Zhang Y, Chen X, Sha A, Xiong Z, Luo Y, Peng L, Zou L, Zhao C, Li Q. The Diversity and Community Composition of Three Plants' Rhizosphere Fungi in Kaolin Mining Areas. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:306. [PMID: 38786661 PMCID: PMC11121986 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mining activities in the kaolin mining area have led to the disruption of the ecological health of the mining area and nearby soils, but the effects on the fungal communities in the rhizosphere soils of the plants are not clear. Three common plants (Conyza bonariensis, Artemisia annua, and Dodonaea viscosa) in kaolin mining areas were selected and analyzed their rhizosphere soil fungal communities using ITS sequencing. The alpha diversity indices (Chao1, Shannon, Simpson, observed-species, pielou-e) of the fungal communities decreased to different extents in different plants compared to the non-kauri mining area. The β-diversity (PCoA, NMDS) analysis showed that the rhizosphere soil fungal communities of the three plants in the kaolin mine area were significantly differentiated from those of the control plants grown in the non-kaolin mine area, and the extent of this differentiation varied among the plants. The analysis of fungal community composition showed that the dominant fungi in the rhizosphere fungi of C. bonariensis and A. annua changed, with an increase in the proportion of Mycosphaerella (genus) by about 20% in C. bonariensis and A. annua. An increase in the proportion of Didymella (genus) by 40% in D. viscosa was observed. At the same time, three plant rhizosphere soils were affected by kaolin mining activities with the appearance of new fungal genera Ochrocladosporium and Plenodomus. Predictive functional potential analysis of the samples revealed that a significant decrease in the potential of functions such as biosynthesis and glycolysis occurred in the rhizosphere fungal communities of kaolin-mined plants compared to non-kaolin-mined areas. The results show that heavy metals and plant species are the key factors influencing these changes, which suggests that selecting plants that can bring more abundant fungi can adapt to heavy metal contamination to restore soil ecology in the kaolin mining area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yunfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Xiaodie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Ajia Sha
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Zhuang Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yingyong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lianxin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Liang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
| | - Changsong Zhao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (Z.X.); (Y.L.); (L.P.); (L.Z.)
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7
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Bui TH, Zuverza-Mena N, Dimkpa CO, Nason SL, Thomas S, White JC. PFAS remediation in soil: An evaluation of carbon-based materials for contaminant sequestration. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123335. [PMID: 38211874 PMCID: PMC10922530 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils is a global concern as these emerging contaminants are highly resistant to degradation and cause adverse effects on human and environmental health at very low concentrations. Sequestering PFAS in soils using carbon-based materials is a low-cost and effective strategy to minimize pollutant bioavailability and exposure, and may offer potential long-term remediation of PFAS in the environment. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of current insights on sequestration of PFAS in soil using carbon-based sorbents. Hydrophobic effects originating from fluorinated carbon (C-F) backbone "tail" and electrostatic interactions deriving from functional groups on the molecules' "head" are the two driving forces governing PFAS sorption. Consequently, varying C-F chain lengths and polar functional groups significantly alter PFAS availability and leachability. Furthermore, matrix parameters such as soil organic matter, inorganic minerals, and pH significantly impact PFAS sequestration by sorbent amendments. Materials such as activated carbon, biochar, carbon nanotubes, and their composites are the primary C-based materials used for PFAS adsorption. Importantly, modifying the carbon structural and surface chemistry is essential for increasing the active sorption sites and for strengthening interactions with PFAS. This review evaluates current literature, identifies knowledge gaps in current remediation technologies and addresses future strategies on the sequestration of PFAS in contaminated soil using sustainable novel C-based sorbents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trung Huu Bui
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Nubia Zuverza-Mena
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Christian O Dimkpa
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Sara Thomas
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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Chu C, Ma LL, Alawi H, Ma W, Zhu Y, Sun J, Lu Y, Xue Y, Chen G. Mechanistic exploration of polytetrafluoroethylene thermal plasma gasification through multiscale simulation coupled with experimental validation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1654. [PMID: 38395949 PMCID: PMC10891128 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The ever-growing quantities of persistent Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wastes, along with consequential ecological and human health concerns, stimulate the need for alternative PTFE disposal method. The central research challenge lies in elucidating the decomposition mechanism of PTFE during high-temperature waste treatment. Here, we propose the PTFE microscopic thermal decomposition pathways by integrating plasma gasification experiments with multi-scale simulations strategies. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal a pyrolysis-oxidation & chain-shortening-deep defluorination (POCD) degradation pathway in an oxygen atmosphere, and an F abstraction-hydrolysis-deep defluorination (FHD) pathway in a steam atmosphere. Density functional theory computations demonstrate the vital roles of 1O2 and ·H radicals in the scission of PTFE carbon skeleton, validating the proposed pathways. Experimental results confirm the simulation results and show that up to 80.12% of gaseous fluorine can be recovered through plasma gasification within 5 min, under the optimized operating conditions determined through response surface methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Chu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University/Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Long Long Ma
- School of Energy &Environment, Key Lab Energy Thermal Conversion & Control, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Hyder Alawi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University/Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Wenchao Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University/Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - YiFei Zhu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Junhao Sun
- Postdoctoral Programme, Guosen Securities, Shenzhen, 518001, China
| | - Yao Lu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Yixian Xue
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University/Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Guanyi Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University/Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, Tianjin, 300072, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, Tibet, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300314, China
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9
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Xue Q, Jiao Z, Pan W, Liu X, Fu J, Zhang A. Multiscale computational simulation of pollutant behavior at water interfaces. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 250:121043. [PMID: 38154340 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of pollutant behavior at water interfaces is critical to understand pollution in aquatic systems. Computational methods allow us to overcome the limitations of experimental analysis, delivering valuable insights into the chemical mechanisms and structural characteristics of pollutant behavior at interfaces across a range of scales, from microscopic to mesoscopic. Quantum mechanics, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, and dissipative particle dynamics simulations represent diverse molecular interaction calculation methods that can effectively model pollutant behavior at environmental interfaces from atomic to mesoscopic scales. These methods provide a rich variety of information on pollutant interactions with water surfaces. This review synthesizes the advancements in applying typical computational methods to the formation, adsorption, binding, and catalytic conversion of pollutants at water interfaces. By drawing on recent advancements, we critically examine the current challenges and offer our perspective on future directions. This review seeks to advance our understanding of computational techniques for elucidating pollutant behavior at water interfaces, a critical aspect of water research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zhiyue Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenxiao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jianjie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
| | - Aiqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
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10
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Schumacher BA, Zimmerman JH, Williams AC, Lutes CC, Holton CW, Escobar E, Hayes H, Warrier R. Distribution of select per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances at a chemical manufacturing plant. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:133025. [PMID: 37995636 PMCID: PMC10734402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in various industrial products; however, they pose serious health risks. In this study, soil, soil gas, and groundwater samples were collected at a PFAS manufacturing facility in New Jersey, USA, to determine the presence and distribution of PFASs from the soil surface to groundwater and at various distances from the presumed source. Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) were detected in soil (< 0.26-36.15 ng/g) and soil gas (160-12,000 E µg/m3), while perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were found in soil (4.3-810 ng/g), soil gas (<0.10-180 µg/m3), and groundwater (37-49 µg/L). FTOH and PFCA concentrations decreased as the distance from the presumed source increased, suggesting that PFCAs are likely to migrate in groundwater, whereas FTOHs primarily move in the vapor phase. The presence of PFAS in the groundwater, soil, and soil gas samples indicate its potential for vapor intrusion; thus, some PFAS may contribute to indoor air inhalation exposure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the quantification of volatile PFAS in soil gas at a PFAS manufacturing facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A Schumacher
- US EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling, 960 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605, USA.
| | - John H Zimmerman
- US EPA ORD, Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Alan C Williams
- US EPA ORD, Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | | | - Chase W Holton
- Geosyntec Consultants, 5670 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, USA
| | - Elsy Escobar
- Jacobs, 2001 Market Street, Suite 900, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
| | - Heidi Hayes
- Eurofins Air Toxics, LLC, 180 Blue Ravine Road, Suite B, Folsom, CA 95630, USA
| | - Rohit Warrier
- Research Triangle Institute, International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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11
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Cogorno J, Rolle M. Impact of Variable Water Chemistry on PFOS-Goethite Interactions: Experimental Evidence and Surface Complexation Modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1731-1740. [PMID: 38206803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) has become a major concern due to its widespread occurrence in the environment and severe toxic effects. In this study, we investigate PFOS sorption on goethite surfaces under different water chemistry conditions to understand the impact of variable groundwater chemistry. Our investigation is based on multiple lines of evidence, including (i) a series of sorption experiments with varying pH, ionic strength, and PFOS initial concentration, (ii) IR spectroscopy analysis, and (iii) surface complexation modeling. PFOS was found to bind to goethite through a strong hydrogen-bonded (HB) complex and a weaker outer-sphere complex involving Na+ coadsorption (OS-Na+). The pH and ionic strength of the solution had a nontrivial impact on the speciation and coexistence of these surface complexes. Acidic conditions and low ionic strength promoted hydrogen bonding between the sulfonate headgroup and protonated hydroxo surface sites. Higher electrolyte concentrations and pH values hindered the formation of strong hydrogen bonds upon the formation of a ternary PFOS-Na+-goethite outer-sphere complex. The findings of this study illuminate the key control of variable solution chemistry on PFOS adsorption to mineral surfaces and the importance to develop surface complexation models integrating mechanistic insights for the accurate prediction of PFOS mobility and environmental fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Cogorno
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Sino-Danish College (SDC), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Massimo Rolle
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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12
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Cai W, Navarro DA, Du J, Srivastava P, Cao Z, Ying G, Kookana RS. Effect of heavy metal co-contaminants on the sorption of thirteen anionic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167188. [PMID: 37734606 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the sorption behavior of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils are essential for assessing their mobility and risk in the environment. Heavy metals often coexist with PFAS depending on the source and history of contamination. In this study, we investigated the effect of heavy metal co-contaminants (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) on the sorption of 13 anionic PFAS with different perfluorocarbon chain length (C3-C9) in two soils with different properties. Results revealed that Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ had little effect on the sorption of most short-chain compounds, while the presence of these heavy metals enhanced the sorption of long-chain PFAS in two soils. The distribution coefficients (Kd) of several long-chain PFAS linearly increased with increasing concentrations of heavy metal, especially in the presence of Pb2+ (ΔKd/Δ [Pb2+] > 3 for PFOS and PFNA vs <1 for PFPeS and PFHxS). While several mechanisms may have contributed to the enhancement of sorption of PFAS, the heavy metals most likely contributed through enhanced hydrophobic interactions of PFAS by neutralizing the negative charge of adsorption surfaces in soils and thus making it more favorable for their partitioning onto the solid phase. Moreover, the increase in the concentrations of heavy metals led to a decrease in the pH of the system and promoted sorption of long-chain compounds, especially in soil with lower organic carbon content. Overall, this study provides evidence that the presence of co-existing heavy metal cations in soils can significantly enhance the sorption of long-chain PFAS onto soil, thereby potentially limiting their mobility in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Cai
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, International Joint Laboratory on Key Techniques in Water Treatment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Divina A Navarro
- CSIRO Environment, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, 5064, Australia; School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Locked Bag 1, Glen Osmond 5064, Australia.
| | - Jun Du
- CSIRO Environment, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, 5064, Australia
| | | | - Zhiguo Cao
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, International Joint Laboratory on Key Techniques in Water Treatment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Guangguo Ying
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Rai S Kookana
- CSIRO Environment, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, 5064, Australia; School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Locked Bag 1, Glen Osmond 5064, Australia
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13
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Almeida NMS, Bali SK, James D, Wang C, Wilson AK. Binding of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to the PPARγ/RXRα-DNA Complex. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7423-7443. [PMID: 37990410 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are the fundamental building blocks of gene expression regulation and the focus of many drug targets. While binding to DNA, nuclear receptors act as transcription factors, governing a multitude of functions in the human body. Peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor γ (PPARγ) and the retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) form heterodimers with unique properties and have a primordial role in insulin sensitization. This PPARγ/RXRα heterodimer has been shown to be impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and linked to a variety of significant health conditions in humans. Herein, a selection of the most common PFAS (legacy and emerging) was studied utilizing molecular dynamics simulations for PPARγ/RXRα. The local and global structural effects of PFAS binding on the known ligand binding pockets of PPARγ and RXRα as well as the DNA binding domain (DBD) of RXRα were inspected. The binding free energies were predicted computationally and were compared between the different binding pockets. In addition, two electronic structure approaches were utilized to model the interaction of PFAS within the DNA binding domain, density functional theory (DFT) and domain-based pair natural orbital coupled cluster with perturbative triples (DLPNO-CCSD(T)) approaches, with implicit solvation. Residue decomposition and hydrogen-bonding analysis were also performed, detailing the role of prominent residues in molecular recognition. The role of l-carnitine is explored as a potential in vivo remediation strategy for PFAS interaction with the PPARγ/RXRα heterodimer. In this work, it was found that PFAS can bind and act as agonists for all of the investigated pockets. For the first time in the literature, PFAS are postulated to bind to the DNA binding domain in a nonspecific manner. In addition, for the PPARγ ligand binding domain, l-carnitine shows promise in replacing smaller PFAS from the pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno M S Almeida
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Semiha Kevser Bali
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Deepak James
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Angela K Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
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14
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Siegel HG, Nason SL, Warren JL, Prunas O, Deziel NC, Saiers JE. Investigation of Sources of Fluorinated Compounds in Private Water Supplies in an Oil and Gas-Producing Region of Northern West Virginia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:17452-17464. [PMID: 37923386 PMCID: PMC10653085 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of toxic organic compounds that have been widely used in consumer applications and industrial activities, including oil and gas production. We measured PFAS concentrations in 45 private wells and 8 surface water sources in the oil and gas-producing Doddridge, Marshall, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties of northern West Virginia and investigated relationships between potential PFAS sources and drinking water receptors. All surface water samples and 60% of the water wells sampled contained quantifiable levels of at least one targeted PFAS compound, and four wells (8%) had concentrations above the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Individual concentrations of PFOA and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid exceeded those measured in finished public water supplies. Total targeted PFAS concentrations ranged from nondetect to 36.8 ng/L, with surface water concentrations averaging 4-fold greater than groundwater. Semiquantitative, nontargeted analysis showed concentrations of emergent PFAS that were potentially higher than targeted PFAS. Results from a multivariate latent variable hierarchical Bayesian model were combined with insights from analyses of groundwater chemistry, topographic characteristics, and proximity to potential PFAS point sources to elucidate predictors of PFAS concentrations in private wells. Model results reveal (i) an increased vulnerability to contamination in upland recharge zones, (ii) geochemical controls on PFAS transport likely driven by adsorption, and (iii) possible influence from nearby point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen G. Siegel
- School
of the Environment, Yale University, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Sara L. Nason
- Connecticut
Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New
Haven, Connecticut 06504, United States
| | - Joshua L. Warren
- School
of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - Ottavia Prunas
- Swiss
Tropical and Public Health Institute, 2 Kreuzstrasse, Allschwill, Basel 4123, Switzerland
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- School
of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States
| | - James E. Saiers
- School
of the Environment, Yale University, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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15
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Tan HM, Pan CG, Yin C, Yu K. Toward systematic understanding of adsorptive removal of legacy and emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) by various activated carbons (ACs). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116495. [PMID: 37364627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116495] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received great attention due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Various activated carbons (ACs) exhibit wide variability in adsorptive performance towards PFASs. In order to gain a systematic understanding of adsorptive removal of legacy and emerging PFASs by ACs, the adsorption of ten PFASs on various ACs was comprehensively investigated. Results showed that granular activated carbon-1 (GAC-1) and powdered activated carbon-1 (PAC-1) removed more than 90% of all target PFASs. Particle size, surface charge, and micropores quantity of ACs were closely related to their performance for PFASs removal. Electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, surface complexation and hydrogen bonding were the adsorption mechanisms, with hydrophobic interaction being the predominant adsorptive force. Physical and chemical adsorption were both involved in PFAS adsorption. The removal rates of PFASs by GAC-1 decreased from 93%-100% to 15%-66% in the presence of 5 mg/L fulvic acid (FA). GAC was able to remove more PFASs under acidic medium, whereas PAC removed hydrophobic PFASs better under the neutral medium. The removal rates of PFASs by GAC-3 increased significantly from 0%-21% to 52%-97% after being impregnated with benzalkonium chlorides (BACs), demonstrating the superiority of this modification method. Overall, this study provided theoretical support for removing PFASs from water phase with ACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Ming Tan
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Chang-Gui Pan
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China.
| | - Chao Yin
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
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16
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Shi Y, Mu H, You J, Han C, Cheng H, Wang J, Hu H, Ren H. Confined water-encapsulated activated carbon for capturing short-chain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from drinking water. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219179120. [PMID: 37364117 PMCID: PMC10318985 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219179120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The global ecological crisis of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water has gradually shifted from long-chain to short-chain PFASs; however, the widespread established PFAS adsorption technology cannot cope with the impact of such hydrophilic pollutants given the inherent defects of solid-liquid mass transfer. Herein, we describe a reagent-free and low-cost strategy to reduce the energy state of short-chain PFASs in hydrophobic nanopores by employing an in situ constructed confined water structure in activated carbon (AC). Through direct (driving force) and indirect (assisted slip) effects, the confined water introduced a dual-drive mode in the confined water-encapsulated activated carbon (CW-AC) and completely eliminated the mass transfer barrier (3.27 to 5.66 kcal/mol), which caused the CW-AC to exhibit the highest adsorption capacity for various short-chain PFASs (C-F number: 3-6) among parent AC and other adsorbents reported. Meanwhile, benefiting from the chain length- and functional group-dependent confined water-binding pattern, the affinity of the CW-AC surpassed the traditional hydrophobicity dominance and shifted toward hydrophilic short-chain PFASs that easily escaped treatment. Importantly, the ability of CW-AC functionality to directly transfer to existing adsorption devices was verified, which could treat 21,000 bed volumes of environment-related high-load (~350 ng/L short-chain PFAS each) real drinking water to below the World Health Organization's standard. Overall, our results provide a green and cost-effective in situ upgrade scheme for existing adsorption devices to address the short-chain PFAS crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanji Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Hongxin Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jiaqian You
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Chenglong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Huazai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Haidong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, Jiangsu, PR China
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17
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Mohona TM, Ye Z, Dai N, Nalam PC. Adsorption behavior of long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances on hydrophobic surface: A combined molecular characterization and simulation study. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 239:120074. [PMID: 37207455 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydrophobic interaction is a prevalent sorption mechanism of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in natural and engineered environments. In this study, we combined quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), atomic force microscope (AFM) with force mapping, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to probe the molecular behavior of PFAS at the hydrophobic interface. On a CH3-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) showed ∼2-fold higher adsorption than perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that has the same fluorocarbon tail length but a different head group. Kinetic modeling using the linearized Avrami model suggests that the PFNA/PFOS-surface interaction mechanisms can evolve over time. This is confirmed by AFM force-distance measurements, which shows that while the adsorbed PFNA/PFOS molecules mostly lay flat, a portion of them formed aggregates/hierarchical structures of 1-10 nm in size after lateral diffusion on surface. PFOS showed a higher affinity to aggregate than PFNA. Association with air nanobubbles is observed for PFOS but not PFNA. MD simulations further showed that PFNA has a greater tendency than PFOS to have its tail inserted into the hydrophobic SAM, which can enhance adsorption but limit lateral diffusion, consistent with the relative behavior of PFNA/PFOS in QCM and AFM experiments. This integrative QCM-AFM-MD study reveals that the interfacial behavior of PFAS molecules can be heterogeneous even on a relatively homogeneous surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tashfia M Mohona
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Materials Design and Innovation, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Zhijiang Ye
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Ning Dai
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Prathima C Nalam
- Department of Materials Design and Innovation, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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18
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Lemay AC, Sontarp EJ, Martinez D, Maruri P, Mohammed R, Neapole R, Wiese M, Willemsen JAR, Bourg IC. Molecular Dynamics Simulation Prediction of the Partitioning Constants ( KH, Kiw, Kia) of 82 Legacy and Emerging Organic Contaminants at the Water-Air Interface. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6296-6308. [PMID: 37014786 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The tendency of organic contaminants (OCs) to partition between different phases is a key set of properties that underlie their human and ecological health impacts and the success of remediation efforts. A significant challenge associated with these efforts is the need for accurate partitioning data for an ever-expanding list of OCs and breakdown products. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have the potential to help generate these data, but existing studies have applied these techniques only to a limited variety of OCs. Here, we use established MD simulation approaches to examine the partitioning of 82 OCs, including many compounds of critical concern, at the water-air interface. Our predictions of the Henry's law constant (KH) and interfacial adsorption coefficients (Kiw, Kia) correlate strongly with experimental results, indicating that MD simulations can be used to predict KH, Kiw, and Kia values with mean absolute deviations of 1.1, 0.3, and 0.3 logarithmic units after correcting for systematic bias, respectively. A library of MD simulation input files for the examined OCs is provided to facilitate future investigations of the partitioning of these compounds in the presence of other phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie C Lemay
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Ethan J Sontarp
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Daniela Martinez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Philip Maruri
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Raneem Mohammed
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Ryan Neapole
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Morgan Wiese
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Jennifer A R Willemsen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Ian C Bourg
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
- High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
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19
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Adu O, Ma X, Sharma VK. Bioavailability, phytotoxicity and plant uptake of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130805. [PMID: 36669401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of legacy and emerging contaminants containing at least one aliphatic perfluorocarbon moiety. They display rapid and extensive transport in the environment due to their generally high water-solubility and weak adsorption onto soil particles. Because of their widespread presence in the environment and known toxicity, PFAS has become a serious threat to the ecosystem and public health. Plants are an essential component of the ecosystem and their uptake and accumulation of PFAS affect the fate and transport of PFAS in the ecosystem and has strong implications for human health. It is therefore imperative to investigate the interactions of plants with PFAS. This review presents a detailed discussion on the mechanisms of the bioavailability and plant uptake of PFAS, and essential factors affecting these processes. The phytotoxic effects of PFAS at physiological, biochemical, and molecular level were also carefully reviewed. At the end, key research gaps were identified, and future research needs were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatunbosun Adu
- Department of Water Management and Hydrological Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Program for the Environment and Sustainability, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Rd., 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xingmao Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Virender K Sharma
- Program for the Environment and Sustainability, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Rd., 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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20
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Melin TRL, Harell P, Ali B, Loganathan N, Wilson AK. Thermochemistry of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. J Comput Chem 2023; 44:570-580. [PMID: 36334029 PMCID: PMC10098614 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The determination of gas phase thermochemical properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is central to understanding the long-range transport behavior of PFAS in the atmosphere. Prior gas-phase studies have reported the properties of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorinated octanoic acid (PFOA). Here, this study reports the gas phase enthalpies of formation of short- and long-chain PFAS and their precursor molecules determined using density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio approaches. Two density functionals, two ab initio methods and an empirical method were used to compute enthalpies of formation with the total atomization approach and an isogyric reaction. The performance of the computational methods employed in this work were validated against the experimental enthalpies of linear alkanoic acids and perfluoroalkanes. The gas-phase determinations will be useful for future studies of PFAS in the atmosphere, and the methodological choices will be helpful in the study of other PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothé R L Melin
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Preston Harell
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Betoul Ali
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Angela K Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Balgooyen S, Remucal CK. Impacts of Environmental and Engineered Processes on the PFAS Fingerprint of Fluorotelomer-Based AFFF. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:244-254. [PMID: 36573898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06600] [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
Forensic analysis can potentially be used to determine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) sources at contaminated sites. However, fluorotelomer aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) sources are difficult to identify because the polyfluorinated active ingredients do not have authentic standards and because the parent compounds can undergo transformation and differential transport, resulting in alteration of the PFAS distribution or fingerprint. In this study, we investigate changes in the PFAS fingerprint of fluorotelomer-derived AFFF due to environmental and engineered processes, including groundwater transport, surface water flow, and land application of contaminated biosolids. Fingerprint analysis supplemented by quantification of precursors and identification of suspected active ingredients shows a clear correlation between a fluorotelomer AFFF manufacturer and surface water of nearby Lake Michigan, demonstrating contamination (>100 ng/L PFOA) of the lake due to migration of an AFFF-impacted groundwater plume. In contrast, extensive processing during wastewater treatment and environmental transport results in large changes to the AFFF fingerprint near agricultural fields where contaminated biosolids were spread. At biosolids-impacted sites, the presence of active ingredients confirms contamination by fluorotelomer AFFF. While sediments can retain longer-chain PFAS, this study demonstrates that aqueous samples are most relevant for PFAS fingerprinting in complex sites, particularly where shorter-chain compounds have been used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Balgooyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Christina K Remucal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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Jenness GR, Koval AM, Etz BD, Shukla MK. Atomistic insights into the hydrodefluorination of PFAS using silylium catalysts. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:2085-2099. [PMID: 36165287 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00291d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fluorochemicals are a persistent environmental contaminant that require specialized techniques for degradation and capture. In particular, recent attention on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has led to numerous explorations of different techniques for degrading the super-strong C-F bonds found in these fluorochemicals. In this study, we investigated the hydrodefluorination mechanism using silylium-carborane salts for the degradation of PFAS at the density functional theory (DFT) level. We find that the degradation process involves both a cationic silylium (Et3Si+) and a hydridic silylium (Et3SiH) to facilitate the defluorination and hydride-addition events. Additionally, the role of carborane ([HCB11H5F6]-) is to force unoccupied anti-bonding orbitals to be partially occupied, weakening the C-F bond. We also show that changing the substituents on carborane from fluorine to other halogens weakens the C-F bond even further, with iodic carborane ([HCB11H5I6]-) having the greatest weakening effect. Moreover, our calculations reveal why the C-F bonds are resistant to degradation, and how the silylium-carborane chemistry is able to chemically transform these bonds into C-H bonds. We believe that our results are further applicable to other halocarbons, and can be used to treat either our existing stocks of these chemicals or to treat concentrated solutions following filtration and capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen R Jenness
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg 39180, Mississippi, USA.
| | - Ashlyn M Koval
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), 1299 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge 37830, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian D Etz
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), 1299 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge 37830, Tennessee, USA
| | - Manoj K Shukla
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg 39180, Mississippi, USA.
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Choudhary A, Bedrov D. Interaction of Short-Chain PFAS with Polycationic Gels: How Much Fluorination is Necessary for Efficient Adsorption? ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:1123-1128. [PMID: 36036717 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The short-chain per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), introduced to replace the legacy PFAS compounds, turned out to be as toxic and harmful as their longer-chain predecessors and even harder to sequester from contaminated water sources. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to investigate the adsorption mechanism of GenX, a representative compound for short-chain PFAS, on a polycationic hydrogel with various extents of fluorination in its backbone and cross-linkers. Simulations indicate that the presence of fluorinated segments next to cationic groups in the polymer gel structure provides the most efficient environment for GenX adsorption. The combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions offered by the cationic-fluorophilic segments amplifies the binding of GenX molecules compared to polymer segments with nonfluorinated cationic or noncationic fluorinated segments. Moreover, such a gel demonstrates high selectivity toward GenX against its hydrogenated analogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Choudhary
- Department Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Dmitry Bedrov
- Department Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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