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Miao Z, Li S, Song X, Ren F, Jin H. Discovery of perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl quaternary ammonium substances in the environment and their environmental behaviors. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 263:122189. [PMID: 39096813 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122189] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
A variety of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been released into the environment via wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, with current target and nontarget analytical methods typically focusing on negatively ionized PFASs while largely overlooking positively ionized ones. In this study, five cationic PFASs, perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl quaternary ammonium substances (PFAQASs), were first identified in surface water impacted by the WWTP effluent, applying a metabolomics-based nontarget analysis method. Environmental behaviors of identified novel PFAQASs were further investigated. In surface water, sediment, and fish (Coilia mystus) samples collected from the Yangtze River, 8:3 PFAQA was consistently the predominant PFAQASs, with the mean concentrations of 90 ng/L (< LOD-558 ng/L), 92 ng/g dw (< LOD-421 ng/g dw), and 2.3 ng/g ww (< LOD-4.6 ng/g ww), respectively. This study highlights the necessity to discover other cationic PFASs in the environment. Among PFAQASs, 8:4 PFAQA (4.2, range 3.4 - 4.6) had the highest mean sediment-water partitioning coefficient (log Koc), followed by 8:3 PFAQA (3.9, 2.8 - 4.5) and 6:3 PFAQA (3.7, 3.3 - 4.1). The log Koc of PFAQASs showed a general increase trend with the increasing carbon chain length. Mean bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values of PFAQASs calculated in the collected fish from the Yangtze River ranged from 1.9 ± 0.32 (4:3 PFAQA) to 2.9 ± 0.34 (8:4 PFAQA). The mean BAF values of PFAQASs generally increased with the carbon chain length. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the environmental fate, potential toxicity, and human exposure implications for these identified novel PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Miao
- Hebei Center for Ecological and Environmental Geology Research, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, PR China
| | - Shuoyang Li
- Hebei Center for Ecological and Environmental Geology Research, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, PR China
| | - Xueqiang Song
- Hebei Center for Ecological and Environmental Geology Research, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, PR China
| | - Fangfang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310032, PR China
| | - Hangbiao Jin
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310032, PR China.
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2
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Mofokeng NN, Madikizela LM, Tiggelman I, Sanganyado E, Chimuka L. Suspect screening of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in paper by selective and non-selective extraction with UHPLC-Q orbitrap MS. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142904. [PMID: 39033859 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Non-targeted analysis and suspect screening of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various matrices have gained traction with advancements in accurate mass analytical instruments. This study employed ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry for PFAS suspect screening of paper grades used in the paper recycling chain. The samples were prepared using two extraction techniques; selective accelerated solvent extraction with weak anionic exchange solid-phase extraction and non-selective ultrasonic-assisted extraction. A suspect screening protocol was established to tentatively identify suspected PFAS against spectral databases using a systematic approach of peak filtering and study-specific thresholds for reporting, linked to a confidence level. The possible prevalence of previously unreported PFAS in several paper materials across the various collection sites in the paper recycling chain was inferred by the common detection of short-chain polyfluoroalkyl ketones and diketones in the paper recycling chain. The suspect screening tentatively identified 41 unique PFAS, with 3 common to both pre-treatment techniques. The detection of unique PFAS by the two sample pre-treatment techniques highlighted the significance of both selective and non-selective extraction in PFAS screening endeavours. Further, it showed the importance of understanding the acquisition mechanisms employed in mass spectrometry where data-dependent acquisition triggered fragmentation in certain identified compounds, and not in others. The tentatively identified PFAS indicated that there were several previously unreported PFAS in the paper recycling chain and that additional studies were required to investigate their abundance, possible persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity, in relation to their functional groups and carbon chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nondumiso N Mofokeng
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa; Mpact Innovation, Research & Development, Devon Valley Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.
| | - Lawrence M Madikizela
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, 28 Pioneer Ave, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa
| | - Ineke Tiggelman
- Mpact Innovation, Research & Development, Devon Valley Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
| | - Edmond Sanganyado
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Chimuka
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
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3
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Jobst KJ, Penney C, Burgers PC. Why are nH-perfluoroalkanoate ions more mobile than expected? Implications for identifying an emerging environmental pollutant. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:7894-7897. [PMID: 38979952 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc02762k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
nH-Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (nH-PFCAs) are emerging pollutants. Their identification by ion mobility is frustrated by the nH-PFCAs having unexpectedly small collision cross sections (CCS). Theory and experiment agree that this is because nH-PFCA ions undergo internal hydrogen bridging, and this insight will help guide the creation of more accurate methods for pollutant identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl J Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Ave., St. John's A1C 5S7, NL, Canada.
| | - Chloe Penney
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Ave., St. John's A1C 5S7, NL, Canada.
| | - Peter C Burgers
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Qi Z, Cao Y, Li D, Wu C, Wu K, Song Y, Huang Z, Luan H, Meng X, Yang Z, Cai Z. Nontarget Analysis of Legacy and Emerging PFAS in a Lithium-Ion Power Battery Recycling Park and Their Possible Toxicity Measured Using High-Throughput Phenotype Screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39015019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Driven by the global popularity of electric vehicles and the shortage of critical raw materials for batteries, the spent lithium-ion power battery (LIPB) recycling industry has exhibited explosive growth in both quantity and scale. However, relatively little information is known about the environmental risks posed by LIPB recycling, in particular with regards to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In this work, suspect screening and nontarget analysis were carried out to characterize PFAS in soil, dust, water and sediment from a LIPB recycling area. Twenty-five PFAS from nine classes were identified at confidence level 3 or above, including 13 legacy and 12 emerging PFAS, as well as two ultrashort-chain PFAS. Based on the target analysis of 16 PFAS, at least nine were detected in each environmental sample, indicating their widespread presence in a LIPB recycling area. Perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonamide showed significant differences in the four phenotypic parameters (growth, movement, survival and fecundity) of Caenorhabditis elegans and were the most toxic substances in all target PFAS at an exposure concentration of 200 μM. Our project provides first-hand information on the existence and environmental risk of PFAS, facilitating the formulation of regulations and green development of the LIPB recycling industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenghua Qi
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yutian Cao
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dan Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chenguang Wu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Kaihan Wu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zeji Huang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hemi Luan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaojing Meng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China
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5
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Yang H, Zhao Y, Chai L, Ma F, Yu J, Xiao KQ, Gu Q. Bio-accumulation and health risk assessments of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wheat grains. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124351. [PMID: 38878812 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been widely detected in various food, which has attracted worldwide concern. However, the factors influencing the transfer and bio-accumulation of PFASs from soils to wheat in normal farmland, is still ambiguous. We investigated the PFASs accumulation in agricultural soils and grains from 10 cites, China, and evaluated the health risks of PFASs via wheat consumption. Our results show that ∑PFASs in soils range from 0.34 μg/kg to 1.59 μg/kg with PFOA and PFOS dominating, whilst ∑PFASs in wheats range from 2.74 to 6.01 μg/kg with PFOA, PFBA and PFHxS dominating. The lower pH conditions and high total organic carbon (TOC) could result in the higher accumulation of PFASs in soils and subsequently in wheat grains, whilst the bioaccumulation factors of PFASs increase with increasing pH conditions but not with TOC. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of PFBA, PFOA, and PFHxS are relatively high, but data supports that ingesting wheat grains does not result in any potential risk to the human beings. Our studies provided more information about PFASs accumulation in wheat grains, and help us understand the current potential risks of PFASs in food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Yang
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100020, China; Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, 123100, Liaoning, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100020, China.
| | - LiNa Chai
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - FuJun Ma
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - JianLong Yu
- Waters Technologies (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Ke-Qing Xiao
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - QingBao Gu
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100020, China.
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6
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Song D, Tang T, Wang R, Liu H, Xie D, Zhao B, Dang Z, Lu G. Enhancing compound confidence in suspect and non-target screening through machine learning-based retention time prediction. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123763. [PMID: 38492749 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123763] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The retention time (RT) of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) is crucial for database matching in non-targeted screening (NTS) analysis. In this study, we developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict RTs of CECs in NTS analysis. Using 1051 CEC standards, we evaluated Random Forest (RF), XGBoost, Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with molecular fingerprints and chemical descriptors to establish an optimal model. The SVR model utilizing chemical descriptors resulted in good predictive capacity with R2ext = 0.850 and r2 = 0.925. The model was further validated through laboratory NTS compound characterization. When applied to examine CEC occurrence in a large wastewater treatment plant, we identified 40 level S1 CECs (confirmed structure by reference standard) and 234 level S2 compounds (probable structure by library spectrum match). The model predicted RTs for level S2 compounds, leading to the classification of 153 level S2 compounds with high confidence (ΔRT <2 min). The model served as a robust filtering mechanism within the analytical framework. This study emphasizes the importance of predicted RTs in NTS analysis and highlights the potential of prediction models. Our research introduces a workflow that enhances NTS analysis by utilizing RT prediction models to determine compound confidence levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehao Song
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ting Tang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - He Liu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Danping Xie
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Zhi Dang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guining Lu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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7
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Tang L, Yu X, Zhao W, Barceló D, Lyu S, Sui Q. Occurrence, behaviors, and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in typical municipal solid waste disposal sites. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 252:121215. [PMID: 38309069 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121215] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have become a crucial environmental concern owing to their exceptional persistence, ability to bioaccumulate within ecosystems, and potential to adversely affect biota. Products and materials containing PFASs are usually discarded into municipal solid waste (MSW) at the end of their life cycle, and the fate of PFASs may differ when different disposal methods of MSWs are employed. To date, limited research has focus on the occurrence, behaviors, and fate of PFASs emitted from various MSW disposal sites. This knowledge gap may lead to an underestimation of the contribution of MSW disposal sites as a source of PFASs in the environment. In this review, we collated publications concerning PFASs from typical MSW disposal sites (i.e., landfills, incineration plants, and composting facilities) and explored the occurrence patterns and behaviors of PFASs across various media (e.g., landfill leachate/ambient air, incineration plant leachate/ash, and compost products) in these typical MSW disposal sites. In particular, this review highlighted ultrashort-chain perfluoroalkyl acids and "unknown"/emerging PFASs. Additionally, it meticulously elucidated the use of non-specific techniques and non-target analysis for screening and identifying these overlooked PFASs. Furthermore, the composition profiles, mass loads, and ecological risks of PFASs were compared across the three typical disposal methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review regarding the occurrence, behaviors, and fate of PFASs in typical MSW disposal sites on a global scale, which can help shed light on the potential environmental impacts of PFASs harbored in MSWs and guide future waste management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfeng Tang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xia Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Wentao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Damià Barceló
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish Council for Scientific Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Shuguang Lyu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qian Sui
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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8
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Feng C, Lin Y, Le S, Ji J, Chen Y, Wang G, Xiao P, Zhao Y, Lu D. Suspect, Nontarget Screening, and Toxicity Prediction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Landfill Leachate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4737-4750. [PMID: 38408453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Landfills are the final stage of urban wastes containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). PFASs in the landfill leachate may contaminate the surrounding groundwater. As major environmental pollutants, emerging PFASs have raised global concern. Besides the widely reported legacy PFASs, the distribution and potential toxic effects of numerous emerging PFASs remain unclear, and unknown PFASs still need discovery and characterization. This study proposed a comprehensive method for PFAS screening in leachate samples using suspect and nontarget analysis. A total of 48 PFASs from 10 classes were identified; nine novel PFASs including eight chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates (Cl-PFPECAs) and bistriflimide (HNTf2) were reported for the first time in the leachate, where Cl-PFPECA-3,1 and Cl-PFPECA-2,2 were first reported in environmental media. Optimized molecular docking models were established for prioritizing the PFASs with potential activity against peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and estrogen receptor α. Our results indicated that several emerging PFASs of N-methyl perfluoroalkyl sulfonamido acetic acids (N-MeFASAAs), n:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (n:3 FTCA), and n:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (n:2 FTSA) have potential health risks that cannot be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Feng
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Yuanjie Lin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Sunyang Le
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Jieyun Ji
- Shanghai Changning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200051, China
| | - Yuhang Chen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Guoquan Wang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Ping Xiao
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Yunfeng Zhao
- China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Dasheng Lu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200336, China
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9
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Yang Y, Wang X, Yang M, Wei S, Li Y. Integrated Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Metabolic Profiling of Elderly Residents Living near Industrial Plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4104-4114. [PMID: 38373080 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in industrial production, causing potential health risks to the residents living around chemical industrial plants; however, the lack of data on population exposure and adverse effects impedes our understanding and ability to prevent risks. In this study, we performed screening and association analysis on exogenous PFAS pollutants and endogenous small-molecule metabolites in the serum of elderly residents living near industrial plants. Exposure levels of 11 legacy and novel PFASs were determined. PFOA and PFOS were major contributors, and PFNA, PFHxS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA also showed high detection frequencies. Association analysis among PFASs and 287 metabolites identified via non-target screening was performed with adjustments of covariates and false discovery rate. Strongly associated metabolites were predominantly lipid and lipid-like molecules. Steroid hormone biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and fatty-acid-related pathways, including biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis, were enriched as the metabolic pathways associated with mixed exposure to multiple PFASs, providing metabolic explanation and evidence for the potential mediating role of adverse health effects as a result of PFAS exposure. Our study achieved a comprehensive screening of PFAS exposure and associated metabolic profiling, demonstrating the promising application for integrated analysis of exposome and metabolome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs of Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuebing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Minmin Yang
- Affiliated Qingdao Third People's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266041, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqian Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
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10
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Kang D, Yun D, Cho KH, Baek SS, Jeon J. Profiling emerging micropollutants in urban stormwater runoff using suspect and non-target screening via high-resolution mass spectrometry. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141402. [PMID: 38346509 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Urban surface runoff contains chemicals that can negatively affect water quality. Urban runoff studies have determined the transport dynamics of many legacy pollutants. However, less attention has been paid to determining the first-flush effects (FFE) of emerging micropollutants using suspect and non-target screening (SNTS). Therefore, this study employed suspect and non-target analyses using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry to detect emerging pollutants in urban receiving waters during stormwater events. Time-interval sampling was used to determine occurrence trends during stormwater events. Suspect screening tentatively identified 65 substances, then, their occurrence trend was grouped using correlation analysis. Non-target peaks were prioritized through hierarchical cluster analysis, focusing on the first flush-concentrated peaks. This approach revealed 38 substances using in silico identification. Simultaneously, substances identified through homologous series observation were evaluated for their observed trends in individual events using network analysis. The results of SNTS were normalized through internal standards to assess the FFE, and the most of tentatively identified substances showed observed FFE. Our findings suggested that diverse pollutants that could not be covered by target screening alone entered urban water through stormwater runoff during the first flush. This study showcases the applicability of the SNTS in evaluating the FFE of urban pollutants, offering insights for first-flush stormwater monitoring and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daeho Kang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, Gyeongsangnamdo, 51140, South Korea
| | - Daeun Yun
- Civil Urban Earth and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, 44919, South Korea
| | - Kyung Hwa Cho
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Sang-Soo Baek
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan-Si, Gyeongbuk, 38541, South Korea
| | - Junho Jeon
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, Gyeongsangnamdo, 51140, South Korea; School of Smart and Green Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, Gyeongsangnamdo, 51140, South Korea.
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11
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Jia W, Liu H, Ma Y, Huang G, Liu Y, Zhao B, Xie D, Huang K, Wang R. Reproducibility in nontarget screening (NTS) of environmental emerging contaminants: Assessing different HLB SPE cartridges and instruments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168971. [PMID: 38042181 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168971] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-targeted screening (NTS) methods are integral in environmental research for detecting emerging contaminants. However, their efficacy can be influenced by variations in hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) instruments across different laboratories. In this study, we scrutinized the influence of five HLB SPE cartridges (Nano, Weiqi, CNW, Waters, and J&K) and four LC-HRMS platforms (Agilent, Waters, Thermo, and AB SCIEX) on the identification of emerging environmental contaminants. Our results demonstrate that 87.6 % of the target compounds and over 59.6 % of the non-target features were consistently detected across all tested HLB cartridges, with an overall 71.2 % universally identified across the four LC-HRMS systems. Discrepancies in detection rates were primarily attributable to variations in retention time stability, mass stability of precursors and fragments, system cleanliness affecting fold change and p-values, and fragment response. These findings confirm the necessity of refining parameter criteria for NTS. Moreover, our study confirms the efficacy of the PyHRMS tool in analyzing and processing data from multiple instrumental platforms, reinforcing its utility for multi-platform NTS. Overall, our findings underscore the reliability and robustness of NTS methods in identifying potential water contaminants, while also highlighting factors that may influence these outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Jia
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou 570228, China
| | - He Liu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yini Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou 570228, China
| | - Guolong Huang
- Zhejiang GenPure Eco-Tech Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310020, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yaxiong Liu
- Guangdong Institute for Drug Control, Guangzhou 510663, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning 530028, China
| | - Danping Xie
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning 530028, China
| | - Kaibo Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Emerging Contaminants Monitoring, Early Warning and Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Nanning 530028, China.
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12
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Lauria MZ, Sepman H, Ledbetter T, Plassmann M, Roos AM, Simon M, Benskin JP, Kruve A. Closing the Organofluorine Mass Balance in Marine Mammals Using Suspect Screening and Machine Learning-Based Quantification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2458-2467. [PMID: 38270113 PMCID: PMC10851419 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07220] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based suspect and nontarget screening has identified a growing number of novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment. However, without analytical standards, the fraction of overall PFAS exposure accounted for by these suspects remains ambiguous. Fortunately, recent developments in ionization efficiency (IE) prediction using machine learning offer the possibility to quantify suspects lacking analytical standards. In the present work, a gradient boosted tree-based model for predicting log IE in negative mode was trained and then validated using 33 PFAS standards. The root-mean-square errors were 0.79 (for the entire test set) and 0.29 (for the 7 PFASs in the test set) log IE units. Thereafter, the model was applied to samples of liver from pilot whales (n = 5; East Greenland) and white beaked dolphins (n = 5, West Greenland; n = 3, Sweden) which contained a significant fraction (up to 70%) of unidentified organofluorine and 35 unquantified suspect PFASs (confidence level 2-4). IE-based quantification reduced the fraction of unidentified extractable organofluorine to 0-27%, demonstrating the utility of the method for closing the fluorine mass balance in the absence of analytical standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Z. Lauria
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Sepman
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Ledbetter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna M. Roos
- Department
of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malene Simon
- Greenland
Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute
of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anneli Kruve
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Partington JM, Rana S, Szabo D, Anumol T, Clarke BO. Comparison of high-resolution mass spectrometry acquisition methods for the simultaneous quantification and identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:895-912. [PMID: 38159142 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Simultaneous identification and quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were evaluated for three quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF) acquisition methods. The acquisition methods investigated were MS-Only, all ion fragmentation (All-Ions), and automated tandem mass spectrometry (Auto-MS/MS). Target analytes were the 25 PFAS of US EPA Method 533 and the acquisition methods were evaluated by analyte response, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision, and target-suspect screening identification limit (IL). PFAS LOQs were consistent across acquisition methods, with individual PFAS LOQs within an order of magnitude. The mean and range for MS-Only, All-Ions, and Auto-MS/MS are 1.3 (0.34-5.1), 2.1 (0.49-5.1), and 1.5 (0.20-5.1) pg on column. For fast data processing and tentative identification with lower confidence, MS-Only is recommended; however, this can lead to false-positives. Where high-confidence identification, structural characterisation, and quantification are desired, Auto-MS/MS is recommended; however, cycle time should be considered where many compounds are anticipated to be present. For comprehensive screening workflows and sample archiving, All-Ions is recommended, facilitating both quantification and retrospective analysis. This study validated HRMS acquisition approaches for quantification (based upon precursor data) and exploration of identification workflows for a range of PFAS compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Partington
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sahil Rana
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Drew Szabo
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tarun Anumol
- Agilent Technologies Inc, Wilmington, DE, 19808, USA
| | - Bradley O Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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14
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Ulrich H, Macherius A, Kunkel U, Sengl M, Letzel T. Novel PFAS-specific monitoring approach for highly impacted surface waters. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140893. [PMID: 38072205 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140893] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In regulatory environmental monitoring programs, only a very small fraction of the vast number of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are investigated by target analysis. Therefore, non-target analysis (NTA) studies are increasingly conducted to detect unknown or unnoticed PFAS. These studies are often based on a few grab samples. Thus, discontinuously emitted PFAS from industrial batch processes might be easily overlooked. To address this deficiency and obtain in-depth information on the occurrence and temporal trend of PFAS in surface water impacted by treated industrial waste water, a comprehensive target and NTA study was implemented for 29 months. Elevated PFAS concentrations with up to 10.8 μg L-1 were detected in the river water by target analysis. In addition to PFAS target analysis, the water samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). Data processing strategies and various filtering steps were applied to prioritize PFAS. Substances were identified by comparing data to available internal and external PFAS suspect lists, a fragment ion and neutral loss list, and spectral libraries. Several compounds were unequivocally identified based on reference standards. Fifty-five PFAS were (tentatively) identified using NTA. Of those, 43 could be assigned to 13 different homologous series. Partly fluorinated short-chain carboxylic acids (H-PFCA) and sulfonic acids (H-PFSA) were predominantly found in addition to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and the alkyl ether carboxylic acid DONA. To the best of our knowledge, 12 PFAS were reported in surface water for the first time. Signal intensities of individual PFAS and signal ratios varied widely over time, which may indicate batch operations leading to discontinuous emission. Results and insights from this screening approach on PFAS can be used to optimize forthcoming surface water monitoring programs by including newly identified PFAS and selecting appropriate sampling intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ulrich
- Bavarian Environment Agency, Demollstr. 31, 82407 Wielenbach, Germany; Technical University of Munich (Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering), Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany.
| | - A Macherius
- Bavarian Environment Agency, Buergermeister-Ulrich-Straße 160, 86179 Augsburg, Germany.
| | - U Kunkel
- Bavarian Environment Agency, Buergermeister-Ulrich-Straße 160, 86179 Augsburg, Germany.
| | - M Sengl
- Bavarian Environment Agency, Buergermeister-Ulrich-Straße 160, 86179 Augsburg, Germany.
| | - T Letzel
- Technical University of Munich (Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering), Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany; Analytisches Forschungsinstitut fuer Non-Target Screening (AFIN-TS) GmbH, Augsburg, Germany.
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15
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Deng J, Xie J, Wang C, Wu Y, Luan T, Yang Y. Inner-Wall Coated Nanopipette Microextraction for Quantitative Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Single Cells Using Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2024; 96:1391-1396. [PMID: 38227719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05141] [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: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a series of organic pollutants with potential cytotoxicity and biotoxicity. Accurate and sensitive detection of trace PFASs in single cells can provide insights into investigating their cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity. Here we report the development of an inner-wall coated nanopipette microextraction coupled with induced nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (InESI-MS) method and its application for rapid, sensitive, and accurate analysis of trace PFASs in single cells. A specially designed inner-wall coated nanopipette was prepared for sampling of the cytoplasm from a single cell, and the trace PFASs in the cytoplasm were selectively enriched into the coating via reversed-phase adsorption, ion bonding adsorption, and π-π interaction mechanisms. After the extraction, the cytoplasm was removed, and the enriched PFASs were then desorbed into some organic solvent, applying an alternating current (AC) voltage to the inner-wall coated nanopipette for InESI-MS analysis. The inner-wall coated nanopipette showed an exhaustive extraction to the trace PFASs in one single cell, and thus, the mass of each target analyte in the cytoplasm can be calculated via an internal standard calibration curve method, avoiding the measurement of ultrasmall volume cytoplasm for one single cell. By using the inner-wall coated nanopipette microextraction coupled with InESI-MS method, trace PFASs accumulated in the LO2 cells with pollutant exposure were successfully detected, and the accumulative behaviors and heterogeneities of PFASs in single cells were explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewei Deng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Smart Medical Innovation Technology Center, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jialiang Xie
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - YueHua Wu
- Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Tiangang Luan
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
| | - Yunyun Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Ambient Mass Spectrometry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency Test for Dangerous Chemicals, Institute of Analysis, Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China National Analytical Center, Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510070, China
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16
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Chen YJ, Wang RD, Shih YL, Chin HY, Lin AYC. Emerging Perfluorobutane Sulfonamido Derivatives as a New Trend of Surfactants Used in the Semiconductor Industry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1648-1658. [PMID: 38175212 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04435] [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: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The semiconductor industry has claimed that perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), a persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), has been eliminated from semiconductor production; however, information about the use of alternative compounds remains limited. This study aimed to develop a nontarget approach to discovering diverse PFAS substitutions used in semiconductor manufacturing. A distinct fragment-based approach has been established to identify the hydrophobic and hydrophilic features of acidic and neutral fluorosurfactants through fragments and neutral losses, including those outside the homologous series. Ten sewage samples from 5 semiconductor plants were analyzed with target and nontarget analysis. Among the 20 identified PFAS spanning 12 subclasses, 15 were reported in semiconductor sewage for the first time. The dominant identified PFAS compounds were C4 sulfonamido derivatives, including perfluorobutane sulfonamido ethanol (FBSE), perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), and perfluorobutane sulfonamido diethanol (FBSEE diol), with maximum concentrations of 482 μg/L, 141 μg/L, and 83.5 μg/L in sewage, respectively. Subsequently, three ultrashort chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were identified in all samples, ranging from 0.004 to 19.9 μg/L. Three effluent samples from the associated industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were further analyzed. This finding, that the C4 sulfonamido acetic acid series constitutes a significant portion (65%-82%) of effluents from WWTP3 and WWTP4, emphasizes the conversion of fluorinated alcohols to fluorinated acids during aerobic treatment. The identification of the intermediate metabolites of FBSEE diol, further supported by our laboratory batch studies, prompts the proposal of a novel metabolic pathway for FBSEE diol. The total amount of perfluorobutane sulfonamido derivatives reached 1934 μg/L (90%), while that of PFAAs, which have typically received attention, was only 205 μg/L (10%). This suggests that perfluorobutane sulfonamido derivatives are emerging as a new trend in fluorosurfactants used in the semiconductor industry, serving as PFAS precursors and contributing to the release of their metabolites into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ju Chen
- National Environmental Research Academy, Ministry of Environment, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 106, Taiwan
| | - Ren-De Wang
- National Environmental Research Academy, Ministry of Environment, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Shih
- National Environmental Research Academy, Ministry of Environment, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Yi Chin
- National Environmental Research Academy, Ministry of Environment, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan
| | - Angela Yu-Chen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 106, Taiwan
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17
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Yi S, Wang J, Wang R, Liu M, Zhong W, Zhu L, Jiang G. Structure-Related Thyroid Disrupting Effect of Perfluorooctanesulfonate-like Substances in Zebrafish Larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:182-193. [PMID: 38156633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07003] [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: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Chlorinated polyfluorooctane ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA), hydrogenated polyfluorooctane ether sulfonate (6:2 H-PFESA), and chlorinated polyfluorooctanesulfonate (Cl-PFOS) share structural similarities with the regulated perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), but their toxic potential is rarely known. Here, the thyroid disrupting potential of these four compounds in zebrafish larvae has been comparably investigated. PFOS, Cl-PFOS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA were accumulated in the larvae at similar levels, approximately 1.3-1.6 times higher than 6:2 H-PFESA. Additionally, PFOS, Cl-PFOS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA exhibited stronger disruption than 6:2 H-PFESA on genetic regulation, particularly concerning thyroid hormone (TH) activation and action and on TH homeostasis in both free and total forms of thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3). These results indicate that chlorination or oxygen insertion does not substantially alter the thyrotoxicity of PFOS, but hydrogenation mitigates it. Molecular docking analysis and the luciferase reporter gene assay provided mechanistic perspectives that the PFOS-like substances could competitively replace THs to bind with TH plasma and membrane transporters, thereby disrupting TH transport and action, respectively. Moreover, they are also potent to disrupt TH synthesis and activation through Na+/K+-dependent transport of I- or competitive binding to the sites of deiodinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujun Yi
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Rouyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Menglin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wenjue Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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18
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Han BC, Liu JS, Bizimana A, Zhang BX, Kateryna S, Zhao Z, Yu LP, Shen ZZ, Meng XZ. Identifying priority PBT-like compounds from emerging PFAS by nontargeted analysis and machine learning models. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 338:122663. [PMID: 37783416 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122663] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
As traditional per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are phased out, emerging PFAS are being developed and widely used. However, little is known about their properties, including persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). Screening for emerging PFAS relies on available chemical inventory databases. Here, we compiled a database of emerging PFAS obtained from nontargeted analysis and assessed their PBT properties using machine learning models, including qualitative graph attention networks, Insubria PBT Index and quantitative EAS-E Suite, VEGA, and ProTox-II platforms. Totally 282 homologues (21.8% of emerging PFAS) were identified as PBT based on the combined qualitative and quantitative prediction, in which 140 homologues were detected in industrial and nonbiological/biological samples, belong to four categories, i.e. modifications of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, perfluoroalkane sulfonamido substances, fluorotelomers and modifications of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. Approximately 10.1% of prioritized emerging PFAS were matched to chemical vendors and 19.6% to patents. Aqueous film-forming foams and fluorochemical factories are the predominant sources for prioritized emerging PFAS. The database and screening results can update the assessment related to legislative bodies such as the US Toxic Substances Control Act and the Stockholm Convention. The combined qualitative and quantitative machine learning models can provide a methodological tool for prioritizing other emerging organic contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Cang Han
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; Jiaxing-Tongji Environmental Research Institute, 1994 Linggongtang Road, Jiaxing, 314051, Zhejiang Province, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Jin-Song Liu
- College of Advanced Materials Engineering, Jiaxing Nanhu University. 572 South Yuexiu Road, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Aaron Bizimana
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bo-Xuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; Jiaxing-Tongji Environmental Research Institute, 1994 Linggongtang Road, Jiaxing, 314051, Zhejiang Province, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Sukhodolska Kateryna
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Li-Ping Yu
- Suzhou Jingtian Lover Environmental Technology Co. Ltd., Suzhou, 215228, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhong-Zeng Shen
- Suzhou Jingtian Lover Environmental Technology Co. Ltd., Suzhou, 215228, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiang-Zhou Meng
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; Jiaxing-Tongji Environmental Research Institute, 1994 Linggongtang Road, Jiaxing, 314051, Zhejiang Province, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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19
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Mok S, Lee S, Choi Y, Jeon J, Kim YH, Moon HB. Target and non-target analyses of neutral per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from fluorochemical industries using GC-MS/MS and GC-TOF: Insights on their environmental fate. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 182:108311. [PMID: 37988936 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108311] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Novel and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a key issue of concern in global environmental studies. In this study, air, sediment, and wastewater samples were collected from areas in and/or surrounded by fluorochemical-related industrial facilities to characterize the contamination profiles of neutral and novel PFAS (n-PFAS) using a gas chromatograph-based target and non-target analyses. Fluorotelomer alcohols were predominant in the samples, accounting for 80 % of the n-PFAS, followed by fluorotelomer acrylates. Air samples collected proximate to the durable water repellent (DWR) facility had the highest concentration of n-PFAS, which was approximately two orders of magnitude higher than those found in others. Non-target analysis identified fluorotelomer iodides and fluorotelomer methacrylate in multiple matrices near DWR facilities, indicating significant contamination of n-PFAS. Levels of both C6- and C8-based PFAS reflected a shift in usage patterns from C8- to C6-based fluorochemicals. Matrix-dependent profiles of n-PFAS revealed that shorter-chain (e.g., C6) and longer-chain (>C8) PFAS were predominant in air and sediment, respectively, implying that air and sediment are mobile and secondary sources of PFAS. Untreated and treated industrial wastewater also contained n-PFAS and their transformation products. The findings shed light on our understanding of the multi-matrix distribution and transport of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sori Mok
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Technology, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunggyu Lee
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Technology, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghun Choi
- Graduate School of FEED of Eco-Friendly Offshore Structure, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Jeon
- Graduate School of FEED of Eco-Friendly Offshore Structure, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea; School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hee Kim
- Chemical Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Technology, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Kim Y, Pike KA, Gray R, Sprankle JW, Faust JA, Edmiston PL. Non-targeted identification and semi-quantitation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US rainwater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1771-1787. [PMID: 36341487 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00349j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to screen for emerging per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in precipitation samples collected in summer 2019 at seven sites in the United States. We previously quantified the concentration of ten PFAS in the rainwater samples using the method of isotopic dilution (Pike et al., 2021). Nine of these targeted analytes belonged to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Screening Level list, herein referred to as EPA-monitored analytes. In this new work, we identify emerging PFAS compounds by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Several emerging PFAS were detected across all samples, with the most prevalent compounds being C3-C8 hydrogen-substituted perfluorocarboxylic acids (H-PFCAs) and fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs). Concentrations of emerging PFAS were in the 10-1000 ng L-1 range (approximately 1-2 orders of magnitude greater than EPA-monitored PFAS) at all sites except Wooster, OH, where concentrations were even higher, with a maximum estimated ΣPFAS of 16 400 ng L-1. The elevated levels of emerging PFAS in the Wooster samples were predominantly even and odd chain-length H-PFCAs and FTCAs comprised of complex mixtures of branched isomers. This unique composition did not match any known manufactured PFAS formulation reported to date, but it could represent thermally transformed by-products emitted by a local point source. Overall, the results indicate that PFAS outside of the standard analyte lists make up a significant and previously unappreciated fraction of contaminants in rainwater collected within the central U.S.-and potentially world-wide-especially in proximity to localized point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
| | - Kyndal A Pike
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
- Department of Mathematical & Computational Sciences, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
| | - Rebekah Gray
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
| | - Jameson W Sprankle
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
| | | | - Paul L Edmiston
- Department of Chemistry, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA.
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21
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Yu C, Stevenson G, De Araujo J, Crough R. Application of in-source fragmentation to the identification of perfluoropentanoic acid and perfluorobutanoic acid in environmental matrices and human serum by isotope dilution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139756. [PMID: 37572710 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139756] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the most common analytical technique for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) research and monitoring. The PFAS identification requires a minimum of two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transition ions as quantifier transition ion and qualifier transition ion, respectively. The second transition ion abundance for perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and perfluobutanoic acid (PFBA) is too low for practical use. A method using the in-source fragment ions as the precursor ion for MRM or pseudo-MRM has been developed and evaluated for PFPeA and PFBA identification in various environmental abiotic and biotic samples including water, soil, sediment, WWTP sludge, fruits, vegetables, egg, macrophytes, fish, dolphin liver and human serum. The PFPeA qualifier MRM transition ion (m/z = 219 > 69) has been successfully applied in all the matrices with spike recoveries (90-125%), signal to noise ratios (>10) and transition ions ratio variation (80-120%). The PFBA qualifier pseudo-MRM transition ion (m/z = 169 > 169) works well in all the matrices except dolphin liver sample. The interpretation of pseudo-MRM results should be with cautions due to lower specificity compared to MRM. In addition, this project indicated under typical chromatographic conditions the MRM isobaric interference does happen frequently to PFPeA quantifier transition ion (m/z = 263 > 219) in serum and fish composite samples, and to PFBA quantifier transition ion (m/z = 213 > 169) in macrophytes, fish composite and dolphin liver samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhai Yu
- Australian Ultra-Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, 105 Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia.
| | - Gavin Stevenson
- Australian Ultra-Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, 105 Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia.
| | - Jesuina De Araujo
- Australian Ultra-Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, 105 Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
| | - Robert Crough
- Australian Ultra-Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, 105 Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
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22
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Kirkwood-Donelson KI, Dodds JN, Schnetzer A, Hall N, Baker ES. Uncovering per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with nontargeted ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry analyses. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj7048. [PMID: 37878714 PMCID: PMC10599621 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Because of environmental and health concerns, legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been voluntarily phased out, and thousands of emerging PFAS introduced as replacements. Traditional analytical methods target a limited number of mainly legacy PFAS; therefore, many species are not routinely assessed in the environment. Nontargeted approaches using high-resolution mass spectrometry methods have therefore been used to detect and characterize unknown PFAS. However, their ability to elucidate chemical structures relies on generation of informative fragments, and many low concentration species are not fragmented in typical data-dependent acquisition approaches. Here, a data-independent method leveraging ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and size-dependent fragmentation was developed and applied to characterize aquatic passive samplers deployed near a North Carolina fluorochemical manufacturer. From the study, 11 PFAS structures for various per- and polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids and multiheaded perfluorinated ether acids were elucidated in addition to 36 known PFAS. Eight of these species were previously unreported in environmental media, and three suspected species were validated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James N. Dodds
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Astrid Schnetzer
- Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC,, USA
| | - Nathan Hall
- Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, NC, USA
| | - Erin S. Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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23
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Song D, Qiao B, Yao Y, Zhao L, Wang X, Chen H, Zhu L, Sun H. Target and nontarget analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water, groundwater and sediments of three typical fluorochemical industrial parks in China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132411. [PMID: 37666171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to identify both legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from three typical fluoridated industrial parks (FIPs) in China, and to assess their environmental occurrence and fate. Complementary suspect target and nontarget screening were implemented, and a total of 111 emerging PFAS were identified. Based on the multi-mass scale analysis, 25 emerging PFAS were identified for the first time, including 24 per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) and 1 ultra-short chlorinated perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (Cl-PFCAs, C2), with a maximum percentage of 48.2 % in nontarget PFAS (exclude target PFAS). The composition of PFAS identified in different media was influenced by functional groups, carbon chain length, substituents and ether bond insertion, with poly-hydrogen substituted being preferably in water and a more diverse pattern of PFECAs in sediments. The patterns of PFAS homologs revealed distinct differences among the three typical FIPs in the shift of PFAS production patterns. The C4-PFAS and short-chain carboxylic acids (≤C6) were the main PFAS in the Fuxin and Changshu, respectively. In contrast, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, C8) remained dominant in Zibo, and the highest point concentrations in water and sediment were up to 706 µg/L and 553 µg/g, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongbao Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Biting Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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24
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Li L, Gao R, Wang X, Deng Y, Sun H, Sun H, Zhang B, Yu N, Gu C, Pan B, Yu H, Wei S. SWATH-F: A Novel Nontarget Strategy Based on the SWATH-MS Deconvolution Method Assisting in Annotating PFAS Homologues in Multisample Studies. Anal Chem 2023; 95:14551-14557. [PMID: 37723602 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01680] [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: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
In order to identify emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their alternatives in the environment or population, we need to perform extensive profiling of PFASs to determine their distribution in samples. The sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment-ion spectra (SWATH mode) is capable of obtaining a wide range of MS2 spectra but is difficult for direct identification of PFASs due to its complex MS2 spectra, and the nontarget screening method is difficult to identify due to its lack of a priori information. In this study, we demonstrated the great potential of SWATH-F, a nontarget fragment-based homologue screening method in combination with the SWATH-MS deconvolution, for detecting PFASs. We evaluated the application of SWATH-F to gradient spiked samples and real population serum samples, compared it with nontarget homologue screening in the information-dependent acquisition mode (IDA mode), and obtained better results for SWATH-F with 276% improvement (IDA:17 PFASs, SWATH-F: 64 PFASs) in identification. In addition, we automated the screening and identification process of SWATH-F to facilitate its use by researchers. SWATH-F is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/njuIrene/SWATH-F) under an MIT license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laihui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Rongjun Gao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Xuebing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yiyan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Environment and Health, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Huijing Sun
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Analysis for Organic Pollutants in Surface Water, Jiangsu Provincial Environmental Monitoring Center, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210019, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Analysis for Organic Pollutants in Surface Water, Jiangsu Provincial Environmental Monitoring Center, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210019, China
| | - Nanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Bingcai Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
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25
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Jiao E, Larsson P, Wang Q, Zhu Z, Yin D, Kärrman A, van Hees P, Karlsson P, Qiu Y, Yeung LWY. Further Insight into Extractable (Organo)fluorine Mass Balance Analysis of Tap Water from Shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14330-14339. [PMID: 37710968 PMCID: PMC10537424 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the detection of unexplained extractable organofluorine (EOF) in drinking water have raised growing concerns. A recent study reported the detection of inorganic fluorinated anions in German river systems, and therefore, in some samples, EOF may include some inorganic fluorinated anions. Thus, it might be more appropriate to use the term "extractable fluorine (EF) analysis" instead of the term EOF analysis. In this study, tap water samples (n = 39) from Shanghai were collected to assess the levels of EF/EOF, 35 target PFAS, two inorganic fluorinated anions (tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) and hexafluorophosphate (PF6-)), and novel PFAS through suspect screening and potential oxidizable precursors through oxidative conversion. The results showed that ultra-short PFAS were the largest contributors to target PFAS, accounting for up to 97% of ΣPFAS. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NTf2) was reported in drinking water from China, and p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) was also identified through suspect screening. Small amounts of precursors that can be oxidatively converted to PFCAs were noted after oxidative conversion. EF mass balance analysis revealed that target PFAS could only explain less than 36% of EF. However, the amounts of unexplained extractable fluorine were greatly reduced when BF4- and PF6- were included. These compounds further explained more than 44% of the EF, indicating the role of inorganic fluorinated anions in the mass balance analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enmiao Jiao
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Pontus Larsson
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Qi Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City
University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zhiliang Zhu
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Patrick van Hees
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
- Eurofins
Food and Feed Testing Sweden AB, Sjöhagsgatan 3, SE-531 40 Lidköping, Sweden
| | - Patrik Karlsson
- Eurofins
Food and Feed Testing Sweden AB, Sjöhagsgatan 3, SE-531 40 Lidköping, Sweden
| | - Yanling Qiu
- Key
Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai
Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Leo W. Y. Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment
Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
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26
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Joseph NT, Schwichtenberg T, Cao D, Jones GD, Rodowa AE, Barlaz MA, Charbonnet JA, Higgins CP, Field JA, Helbling DE. Target and Suspect Screening Integrated with Machine Learning to Discover Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Source Fingerprints. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14351-14362. [PMID: 37696050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03770] [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: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
This study elucidates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) fingerprints for specific PFAS source types. Ninety-two samples were collected from aqueous film-forming foam impacted groundwater (AFFF-GW), landfill leachate, biosolids leachate, municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent (WWTP), and wastewater effluent from the pulp and paper and power generation industries. High-resolution mass spectrometry operated with electrospray ionization in negative mode was used to quantify up to 50 target PFASs and screen and semi-quantify up to 2,266 suspect PFASs in each sample. Machine learning classifiers were used to identify PFASs that were diagnostic of each source type. Four C5-C7 perfluoroalkyl acids and one suspect PFAS (trihydrogen-substituted fluoroethernonanoic acid) were diagnostic of AFFF-GW. Two target PFASs (5:3 and 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acids) and two suspect PFASs (4:2 fluorotelomer-thia-acetic acid and N-methylperfluoropropane sulfonamido acetic acid) were diagnostic of landfill leachate. Biosolids leachates were best classified along with landfill leachates and N-methyl and N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid assisted in that classification. WWTP, pulp and paper, and power generation samples contained few target PFASs, but fipronil (a fluorinated insecticide) was diagnostic of WWTP samples. Our results provide PFAS fingerprints for known sources and identify target and suspect PFASs that can be used for source allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayantara T Joseph
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Trever Schwichtenberg
- Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Dunping Cao
- Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Gerrad D Jones
- Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Alix E Rodowa
- National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Morton A Barlaz
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Joseph A Charbonnet
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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27
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Haque F, Soerensen AL, Sköld M, Awad R, Spaan KM, Lauria MZ, Plassmann MM, Benskin JP. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in white-tailed sea eagle eggs from Sweden: temporal trends (1969-2021), spatial variations, fluorine mass balance, and suspect screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1549-1563. [PMID: 37622471 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00141e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Temporal and spatial trends of 15 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs (Haliaeetus albicilla) from two inland and two coastal regions of Sweden between 1969 and 2021. PFAS concentrations generally increased from ∼1969 to ∼1990s-2010 (depending on target and site) and thereafter plateaued or declined, with perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) declining faster than most perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). The net result was a shift in the PFAS profile from PFOS-dominant in 1969-2010 to an increased prevalence of PFCAs over the last decade. Further, during the entire period higher PFAS concentrations were generally observed in coastal populations, possibly due to differences in diet and/or proximity to more densely populated areas. Fluorine mass balance determination in pooled samples from three of the regions (2019-2021) indicated that target PFAS accounted for the vast majority (i.e. 81-100%) of extractable organic fluorine (EOF). Nevertheless, high resolution mass-spectrometry-based suspect screening identified 55 suspects (31 at a confidence level [CL] of 1-3 and 24 at a CL of 4-5), of which 43 were substances not included in the targeted analysis. Semi-quantification of CL ≤ 2 suspects increased the identified EOF to >90% in coastal samples. In addition to showing the impact of PFAS regulation and phase-out initiatives, this study demonstrates that most extractable organofluorine in WTSE eggs is made up of known (legacy) PFAS, albeit with low levels of novel substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Haque
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
| | - Anne L Soerensen
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Martin Sköld
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Albanovägen 28, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raed Awad
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Valhallavägen 81, 114 28, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kyra M Spaan
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mélanie Z Lauria
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Merle M Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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28
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Zhao JH, Hu LX, Xiao S, Zhao JL, Liu YS, Yang B, Zhang QQ, Ying GG. Screening and prioritization of organic chemicals in a large river basin by suspect and non-target analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:122098. [PMID: 37352960 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Many organic chemicals are present in aquatic environments, but how to screen and prioritize these chemicals has always been a difficult task. Here we investigated organic chemicals in the West River Basin by using a developed non-target identification workflow. A total of 957 chemicals were tentatively identified, with 96 assigned as high confidence levels by matching with reference standards, MassBank spectral library, and using CompTox Chemistry Dashboard database as the compound library for MetFrag. More pesticides and their transformation products (e.g., metolachlor ESA, acetochlor ESA, deethylatrazine, and hydroxyatrazine) were detected in the wet season due to the increasing usage. High detection of pharmaceutical and personal care products and their transformation products in the tributaries was linked to rural farming and human activities. Irbesartan that is used to treat high blood pressure was recognized in the river and positive correlations between some detected chemicals and irbesartan were observed, indicating a domestic wastewater source. Ecological risks of the identified chemicals were calculated by toxicological prioritization ranking schemes, and 24 chemicals showed high ToxPi scores in the river. The results from this study show the presence of a large number of emerging organic chemicals in our waterways, and demonstrated conceptual schemes for integrating risk assessment into a non-target screening workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hui Zhao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Sheng Xiao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jian-Liang Zhao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - You-Sheng Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bin Yang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qian-Qian Zhang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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29
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Dewapriya P, Nilsson S, Ghorbani Gorji S, O’Brien JW, Bräunig J, Gómez Ramos MJ, Donaldson E, Samanipour S, Martin JW, Mueller JF, Kaserzon SL, Thomas KV. Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Discovered in Cattle Exposed to AFFF-Impacted Groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13635-13645. [PMID: 37648245 PMCID: PMC10501377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03852] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from Australian firefighting training grounds has resulted in extensive contamination of groundwater and nearby farmlands. Humans, farm animals, and wildlife in these areas may have been exposed to complex mixtures of PFASs from aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). This study aimed to identify PFAS classes in pooled whole blood (n = 4) and serum (n = 4) from cattle exposed to AFFF-impacted groundwater and potentially discover new PFASs in blood. Thirty PFASs were identified at various levels of confidence (levels 1a-5a), including three novel compounds: (i) perfluorohexanesulfonamido 2-hydroxypropanoic acid (FHxSA-HOPrA), (ii) methyl((perfluorohexyl)sulfonyl)sulfuramidous acid, and (iii) methyl((perfluorooctyl)sulfonyl)sulfuramidous acid, belonging to two different classes. Biotransformation intermediate, perfluorohexanesulfonamido propanoic acid (FHxSA-PrA), hitherto unreported in biological samples, was detected in both whole blood and serum. Furthermore, perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides, including perfluoropropane sulfonamide (FPrSA), perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), and perfluorohexane sulfonamide (FHxSA) were predominantly detected in whole blood, suggesting that these accumulate in the cell fraction of blood. The suspect screening revealed several fluoroalkyl chain-substituted PFAS. The results suggest that targeting only the major PFASs in the plasma or serum of AFFF-exposed mammals likely underestimates the toxicological risks associated with exposure. Future studies of AFFF-exposed populations should include whole-blood analysis with high-resolution mass spectrometry to understand the true extent of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Dewapriya
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Sara Ghorbani Gorji
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Jake W. O’Brien
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
- Van
‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Bräunig
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - María José Gómez Ramos
- Department
of Chemistry and Physics, University of
Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3
(ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento
s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería 04120, Spain
| | - Eric Donaldson
- Aviation
Medical Specialist, The Australasian Faculty of Occupational &
Environmental Medicine (AFOEM), The Royal
Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
| | - Saer Samanipour
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
- Van
‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan W. Martin
- Department
of Environmental Science (ACES, Exposure & Effects), Science for
Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Jochen F. Mueller
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Sarit L. Kaserzon
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin V. Thomas
- Queensland
Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba 4102 Queensland, Australia
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30
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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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31
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Strynar M, McCord J, Newton S, Washington J, Barzen-Hanson K, Trier X, Liu Y, Dimzon IK, Bugsel B, Zwiener C, Munoz G. Practical application guide for the discovery of novel PFAS in environmental samples using high resolution mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:575-588. [PMID: 37516787 PMCID: PMC10561087 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00578-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of the topics of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) bring together two disparate and complex subjects. Recently non-targeted analysis (NTA) for the discovery of novel PFAS in environmental and biological media has been shown to be valuable in multiple applications. Classical targeted analysis for PFAS using LC-MS/MS, though growing in compound coverage, is still unable to inform a holistic understanding of the PFAS burden in most samples. NTA fills at least a portion of this data gap. OBJECTIVES Entrance into the study of novel PFAS discovery requires identification techniques such as HRMS (e.g., QTOF and Orbitrap) instrumentation. This requires practical knowledge of best approaches depending on the purpose of the analyses. The utility of HRMS applications for PFAS discovery is unquestioned and will likely play a significant role in many future environmental and human exposure studies. METHODS/RESULTS PFAS have some characteristics that make them standout from most other chemicals present in samples. Through a series of tell-tale PFAS characteristics (e.g., characteristic mass defect range, homologous series and characteristic fragmentation patterns), and case studies different approaches and remaining challenges are demonstrated. IMPACT STATEMENT The identification of novel PFAS via non-targeted analysis using high resolution mass spectrometry is an important and difficult endeavor. This synopsis document will hopefully make current and future efforts on this topic easier to perform for novice and experienced alike. The typical time devoted to NTA PFAS investigations (weeks to months or more) may benefit from these practical steps employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Strynar
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA.
| | - James McCord
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA
| | - Seth Newton
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA
| | - John Washington
- USEPA Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Durham, NC and Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Xenia Trier
- Section of Environmental Chemistry and Physics, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yanna Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085, Beijing, China
| | - Ian Ken Dimzon
- Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Boris Bugsel
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Zwiener
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
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32
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Seay BA, Dasu K, MacGregor IC, Austin MP, Krile RT, Frank AJ, Fenton GA, Heiss DR, Williamson RJ, Buehler S. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances fate and transport at a wastewater treatment plant with a collocated sewage sludge incinerator. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162357. [PMID: 36858229 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162357] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to understand the fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inorganic fluoride (IF) at an undisclosed municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operating a sewage sludge incinerator (SSI). A robust statistical analysis characterized concentrations and mass flows at all WWTP and SSI primary influents/effluents, including thermal-treatment derived airborne emissions. WWTP-level net mass flows (NMFs) of total PFAS were not statistically different from zero. SSI-level NMFs indicate that PFAS, and specifically perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), are being broken down. The NMF of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs; -274 ± 34 mg/day) was statistically significant. The observed breakdown primarily occurred in the sewage sludge. However, the total PFAS destruction and removal efficiency of 51 % indicates the SSI may inadequately remove PFAS. The statistically significant IF source (NMF = 16 ± 4.2 kg/day) compared to the sink of PFAS as fluoride (NMF = -0.00036 kg/day) suggests that other fluorine-containing substances are breaking down in the SSI. WWTP PFAS mass discharges were primarily to the aquatic environment (>99 %), with <0.5 % emitted to the atmosphere/landfill. Emission rates for formerly phased-out PFOS and PFOA were compared to previously reported levels. Given the environmental persistence of these compounds, the observed decreases in PFOS and PFOA discharge rates from prior reports implies regional/local differences in emissions or possibly their accumulation elsewhere. PFAS were observed in stack gas emissions, but modestly contributed to NMFs and showed negligible contribution to ambient air concentrations observed downwind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brannon A Seay
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States.
| | - Kavitha Dasu
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Ian C MacGregor
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Matthew P Austin
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Robert T Krile
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Aaron J Frank
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - George A Fenton
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Derik R Heiss
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Rhett J Williamson
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
| | - Stephanie Buehler
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
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33
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Jin B, Liu H, Che S, Gao J, Yu Y, Liu J, Men Y. Substantial defluorination of polychlorofluorocarboxylic acids triggered by anaerobic microbial hydrolytic dechlorination. NATURE WATER 2023; 1:451-461. [PMID: 38405335 PMCID: PMC10888525 DOI: 10.1038/s44221-023-00077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Chlorinated polyfluorocarboxylic acids (Cl-PFCAs) derived from the widely used chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) polymers and oligomers may enter and influence the aquatic environment. Here, we report significant defluorination of Cl-PFCAs by an anaerobic microbial community via novel pathways triggered by anaerobic microbial dechlorination. Cl-PFCAs first underwent microbial reductive, hydrolytic, and eliminative dechlorination, and it was the hydrolytic dechlorination that led to significant spontaneous defluorination. Hydrolytic dechlorination was favored with increased Cl-substitutions. An isolated, highly enriched anaerobic defluorinating culture was dominated by two genomes closest to Desulfovibrio aminophilus and Sporomusa sphaeroides, both of which exhibited active defluorination of CTFE tetramer acid. It implies the critical role played by anaerobic non-respiratory hydrolytic dechlorination in the fate of chlorinated polyfluoro-chemicals in natural and engineered water environments. The greatly enhanced biodegradability by Cl-substitutions also sheds light on the design of cost-effective treatment biotechnologies, as well as alternative PFAS that are readily biodegradable and less toxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bosen Jin
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
| | - Huaqing Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
| | - Shun Che
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
| | - Jinyu Gao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
| | - Yaochun Yu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
| | - Jinyong Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
| | - Yujie Men
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
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34
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Hu J, Lyu Y, Chen H, Cai L, Li J, Cao X, Sun W. Integration of target, suspect, and nontarget screening with risk modeling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances prioritization in surface waters. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119735. [PMID: 36801580 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Though thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been on the global market, most research focused on only a small fraction, potentially resulting in underestimated environmental risks. Here, we used complementary target, suspect, and nontarget screening for quantifying and identifying the target and nontarget PFAS, respectively, and developed a risk model considering their specific properties to prioritize the PFAS in surface waters. Thirty-three PFAS were identified in surface water in the Chaobai river, Beijing. The suspect and nontarget screening by Orbitrap displayed a sensitivity of > 77%, indicating its good performance in identifying the PFAS in samples. We used triple quadrupole (QqQ) under multiple-reaction monitoring for quantifying PFAS with authentic standards due to its potentially high sensitivity. To quantify the nontarget PFAS without authentic standards, we trained a random forest regression model which presented the differences up to only 2.7 times between measured and predicted response factors (RFs). The maximum/minimum RF in each PFAS class was as high as 1.2-10.0 in Orbitrap and 1.7-22.3 in QqQ. A risk-based prioritization approach was developed to rank the identified PFAS, and four PFAS (i.e., perfluorooctanoic acid, hydrogenated perfluorohexanoic acid, bistriflimide, 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid) were flagged with high priority (risk index > 0.1) for remediation and management. Our study highlighted the importance of a quantification strategy during environmental scrutiny of PFAS, especially for nontarget PFAS without standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrun Hu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yitao Lyu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Leilei Cai
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Cao
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China
| | - Weiling Sun
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China.
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35
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Munoz G, Liu M, Vo Duy S, Liu J, Sauvé S. Target and nontarget screening of PFAS in drinking water for a large-scale survey of urban and rural communities in Québec, Canada. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119750. [PMID: 36827766 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Limited monitoring data are available regarding the occurrence of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Here, we validated an analytical procedure for 42 PFAS with individual detection limits of 0.001-0.082 ng/L. We also evaluated how different sample pH conditions, dechlorinating agents, and storage holding times might affect method performance. PFAS were analyzed in tap water samples collected at a large spatial scale in Quebec, Canada, covering 376 municipalities within 17 administrative regions. Target and nontarget screening revealed the presence of 31 and 23 compounds, respectively, representing 24 homolog classes. Overall, 99.3% of the tap water samples were positive for at least one PFAS, and the ƩPFAS ranged from below detection limits to 108 ng/L (95th percentile: 13 ng/L). On average, ƩPFAS was 12 times higher in tap water produced from surface water than groundwater; however, 6 of the top 10 contaminated locations were groundwater-based. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had high detection rates (88% and 80%, respectively). PFOS (median: 0.15 ng/L; max: 13 ng/L) and PFOA (median: 0.27 ng/L; max: 8.1 ng/L) remained much lower than current Health Canada guidelines but higher than USEPA's interim updated health advisories. Short-chain (C3-C6) perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides were also recurrent, especially the C4 homolog (FBSA: detection rate of 50%). The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonyl propanoamido dimethyl ethyl sulfonate (6:2 FTSO2PrAd-DiMeEtS) was locally detected at ∼15 ng/L and recurred in 8% of our samples. Multiple PFAS that are most likely to originate from aqueous film-forming foams were also reported for the first time in tap water, including X:3 and X:1:2 fluorotelomer betaines, hydroxylated X:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates, N-trimethylammoniopropyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (TAmPr-FHxSA and TAmPr-FOSA), and N-sulfopropyl dimethylammoniopropyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamidopropyl sulfonates (N-SPAmP-FPeSAPS and N-SPAmP-FHxSAPS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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36
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Schaefer CE, Hooper JL, Strom LE, Abusallout I, Dickenson ERV, Thompson KA, Mohan GR, Drennan D, Wu K, Guelfo JL. Occurrence of quantifiable and semi-quantifiable poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in united states wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119724. [PMID: 36801573 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Both quantifiable and semi-quantifiable poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were evaluated in the influent, effluent, and biosolids of 38 wastewater treatment plants. PFAS were detected in all streams at all facilities. For the means of the sums of detected, quantifiable PFAS concentrations were 98 ± 28 ng/L, 80 ± 24 ng/L, and 160,000 ± 46,000 ng/kg (dry weight basis) in the influent, effluent, and biosolids (respectively). In the aqueous influent and effluent streams this quantifiable PFAS mass was typically associated with perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). In contrast, quantifiable PFAS in the biosolids were primarily polyfluoroalkyl substances that potentially serve as precursors to the more recalcitrant PFAAs. Results of the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay on select influent and effluent samples showed that semi-quantified (or, unidentified) precursors accounted for a substantial portion (21 to 88%) of the fluorine mass compared to that associated with quantified PFAS, and that this fluorine precursor mass was not appreciably transformed to perfluoroalkyl acids within the WWTPs, as influent and effluent precursor concentrations via the TOP assay were statistically identical. Evaluation of semi-quantified PFAS, consistent with results of the TOP assay, showed the presence of several classes of precursors in the influent, effluent, and biosolids; perfluorophosphonic acids (PFPAs) and fluorotelomer phosphate diesters (di-PAPs) occurred in 100 and 92% of biosolid samples, respectively. Analysis of mass flows showed that, for both quantified (on a fluorine mass basis) and semi-quantified PFAS, the majority of PFAS exited WWTPs through the aqueous effluent compared to the biosolids stream. Overall, these results highlight the importance of semi-quantified PFAS precursors in WWTPs, and the need to further understand the impacts of their ultimate fate in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laurel E Strom
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, USA
| | | | - Eric R V Dickenson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 1299 Burkholder Blvd., Henderson, NV, 89015, USA
| | - Kyle A Thompson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 1299 Burkholder Blvd., Henderson, NV, 89015, USA; Carollo Engineers, 8911N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78759, USA
| | - Gayathri Ram Mohan
- Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Lawrenceville, GA 30045, USA
| | - Dina Drennan
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, USA
| | - Ke Wu
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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37
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Schwartz-Narbonne H, Xia C, Shalin A, Whitehead HD, Yang D, Peaslee GF, Wang Z, Wu Y, Peng H, Blum A, Venier M, Diamond ML. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Canadian Fast Food Packaging. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2023; 10:343-349. [PMID: 37970096 PMCID: PMC10637757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
A suite of analytical techniques was used to obtain a comprehensive picture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in selected Canadian food packaging used for fast foods (n = 42). Particle-induced gamma ray emission spectroscopy revealed that 55% of the samples contained <3580, 19% contained 3580-10 800, and 26% > 10 800 μg F/m2. The highest total F (1 010 000-1 300 000 μg F/m2) was measured in molded "compostable" bowls. Targeted analysis of 8 samples with high total F revealed 4-15 individual PFAS in each sample, with 6:2 fluorotelomer methacrylate (FTMAc) and 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) typically dominating. Up to 34% of the total fluorine was released from samples after hydrolysis, indicating the presence of unknown precursors. Nontargeted analysis detected 22 PFAS from 6 different groups, including degradation products of FTOH. Results indicate the use of side-chain fluorinated polymers and suggest that these products can release short-chain compounds that ultimately can be transformed to compounds of toxicological concern. Analysis after 2 years of storage showed overall decreases in PFAS consistent with the loss of volatile compounds such as 6:2 FTMAc and FTOH. The use of PFAS in food packaging such as "compostable" bowls represents a regrettable substitution of single-use plastic food packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chunjie Xia
- O’Neill
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, Indiana, United States
| | - Anna Shalin
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
| | - Heather D. Whitehead
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame 46556, Indiana, United States
| | - Diwen Yang
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H6, ON, Canada
| | - Graham F. Peaslee
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Notre Dame, Notre Dame 46556, Indiana, United
States
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Institute
of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
- Empa
− Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, St. Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - Yan Wu
- O’Neill
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, Indiana, United States
| | - Hui Peng
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H6, ON, Canada
- School
of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3E8, ON, Canada
| | - Arlene Blum
- Green
Science Policy Institute, Berkeley 94709, California, United States
| | - Marta Venier
- O’Neill
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, Indiana, United States
| | - Miriam L. Diamond
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
- School
of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3E8, ON, Canada
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38
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Tang C, Zhu Y, Liang Y, Zeng YH, Peng X, Mai BX, Xu J, Huang Q, Lin H. First Discovery of Iodinated Polyfluoroalkyl Acids by Nontarget Mass-Spectrometric Analysis and Iodine-Specific Screening Algorithm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1378-1390. [PMID: 36622151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) including polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and polyfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids are a large category of crucial environmental pollutants of global concern. Besides known PFAAs, numerous unknown species may exist in the environment, urgently needing discovery and characterization. This study implemented nontarget analysis for a group of novel PFAA pollutants, viz., iodinated PFAAs (I-PFAAs) in wastewater from a fluorochemical manufacturing park by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry in combination with an iodine-specific data-processing algorithm. The algorithm took into account the diagnostic fragment iodine ion (I-) together with carbon and sulfur isotopologue distributions. In total, 18 I-PFAA formulas involving 21 congeners were identified. Semiquantification was conducted, and the total concentrations of I-PFAAs were 1.9-274.7 μg/L, indicating severe pollution of I-PFAAs in the wastewater. The determined concentrations along with predicted environmental behaviors and toxicities demonstrate that I-PFAAs merit further in-depth investigation. The analytical method including the instrumental analysis and data-processing algorithm can be extended to screening and identification of I-PFAAs in other matrices. Furthermore, the analysis results for the first time provide recognition on the occurrence, distribution features, and pollution status of I-PFAAs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiming Tang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Yizhe Zhu
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
| | - Yutao Liang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Xianzhi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Jiale Xu
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota58102, United States
| | - Qingguo Huang
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia30223, United States
| | - Hui Lin
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
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Li J, Wang L, Zhang X, Liu P, Deji Z, Xing Y, Zhou Y, Lin X, Huang Z. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure and its influence on the intestinal barrier: An overview on the advances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158362. [PMID: 36055502 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of artificially synthetic organic compounds that are hardly degraded in the natural environment. PFAS have been widely used for many decades, and the persistence and potential toxicity of PFAS are an emerging concern in the world. PFAS exposed via diet can be readily absorbed by the intestine and enter the circulatory system or accumulate directly at intestinal sites, which could interact with the intestine and cause the destruction of intestinal barrier. This review summarizes current relationships between PFAS exposure and intestinal barrier damage with a focus on more recent toxicological studies. Exposure to PFAS could cause inflammation in the gut, destruction of the gut epithelium and tight junction structure, reduction of the mucus layer, and induction of the toxicity of immune cells. PFAS accumulation could also induce microbial disorders and metabolic products changes. In addition, there are limited studies currently, and most available studies converge on the health risk of PFAS exposure for human intestinal disease. Therefore, more efforts are deserved to further understand potential associations between PFAS exposure and intestinal dysfunction and enable better assessment of exposomic toxicology and health risks for humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyang Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, PR China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Zhuoma Deji
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yudong Xing
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Xia Lin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Zhenzhen Huang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
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40
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Nilsson S, Thompson J, Mueller JF, Bräunig J. Apparent Half-Lives of Chlorinated-Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Isomers in Aviation Firefighters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17052-17060. [PMID: 36367310 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and elevated detection frequency of chloro-substituted PFOS have been reported in Australian firefighters with historical exposure to aqueous-film forming foam (AFFF). The aim of this study is to estimate the apparent half-lives of Cl-PFOS and PFOS isomers in firefighters following the end of exposure to 3M-AFFF. Paired serum samples from 120 firefighters, collected approximately five years apart, were analyzed for 8-Cl-PFOS (8-chloroperfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid) and PFOS isomers via targeted LC-MS/MS. Apparent half-life was estimated by assuming a first order-elimination model. Cl-PFOS was detected in 93% of all initial serum samples (<LOQ-1.09 ng/mL). The average half-life of Cl-PFOS among the firefighters was 5.0 years. Branched PFOS isomers made up 55% of the total isomer concentration at the initial sampling timepoint. Five years later, the proportion of branched PFOS isomers was greater (65%). The longest average half-life (11.5 years) was estimated for "1m-PFOS". Other isomers had average half-lives ranging from 4.0 to 7.5 years. Marked differences in half-lives between PFOS isomers suggest that the elimination rate of "total PFOS" (sum of all PFOS isomers) is non-linear. This is the first study to report the serum concentrations and apparent half-life of Cl-PFOS in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland4102, Australia
| | - Jack Thompson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland4102, Australia
- Organic Chemistry, Forensic and Scientific Services, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland4108, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland4102, Australia
| | - Jennifer Bräunig
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland4102, Australia
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Menger F, Celma A, Schymanski EL, Lai FY, Bijlsma L, Wiberg K, Hernández F, Sancho JV, Ahrens L. Enhancing spectral quality in complex environmental matrices: Supporting suspect and non-target screening in zebra mussels with ion mobility. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107585. [PMID: 36265356 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Identification of bioaccumulating contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) via suspect and non-target screening remains a challenging task. In this study, ion mobility separation with high-resolution mass spectrometry (IM-HRMS) was used to investigate the effects of drift time (DT) alignment on spectrum quality and peak annotation for screening of CECs in complex sample matrices using data independent acquisition (DIA). Data treatment approaches (Binary Sample Comparison) and prioritisation strategies (Halogen Match, co-occurrence of features in biota and the water phase) were explored in a case study on zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lake Mälaren, Sweden's largest drinking water reservoir. DT alignment evidently improved the fragment spectrum quality by increasing the similarity score to reference spectra from on average (±standard deviation) 0.33 ± 0.31 to 0.64 ± 0.30 points, thus positively influencing structure elucidation efforts. Thirty-two features were tentatively identified at confidence level 3 or higher using MetFrag coupled with the new PubChemLite database, which included predicted collision cross-section values from CCSbase. The implementation of predicted mobility data was found to support compound annotation. This study illustrates a quantitative assessment of the benefits of IM-HRMS on spectral quality, which will enhance the performance of future screening studies of CECs in complex environmental matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Menger
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Alberto Celma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, E-12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Emma L Schymanski
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Foon Yin Lai
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lubertus Bijlsma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, E-12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, E-12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, E-12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
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42
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Bao J, Shao LX, Liu Y, Cui SW, Wang X, Lu GL, Wang X, Jin YH. Target analysis and suspect screening of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in paired samples of maternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and placenta near fluorochemical plants in Fuxin, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135731. [PMID: 35843426 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The levels of legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been growing in the environmental matrices and blood of residents living around the fluorochemical industrial park (FIP) in Fuxin of China over the past decade. Although some recent studies have reported occurrence of novel PFAS alternatives in biotic and abiotic matrices near fluorochemical facilities worldwide, little is known about novel PFAS congeners in maternal sera, umbilical cord sera, and placentas from the female residents close to the FIP and their related health risks. In this study, 50 paired samples of maternal and cord serum as well as placenta were derived from Fuxin pregnant women at delivery, and 21 target analytes of legacy PFASs in all the samples were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), revealing that PFBS, PFBA, and PFOA were the dominant PFAS contaminants observed in the whole samples. Based upon the suspect screening through high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), 49 novel PFASs assigned to 11 classes were further identified in the Fuxin samples, of which, 20 novel congeners in 4 classes were reported in human blood and placentas for the first time. Moreover, the coefficients for mother-placenta transfer (Rm/p), placenta-newborn transfer (Rp/n), and mother-newborn transfer (Rm/n) of legacy PFASs could be calculated with median values of 1.7, 1.1, and 2.0, respectively, and Rm/p, Rp/n, and Rm/n for each novel PFAS identified were also estimated with the median values of 0.9, 1.2, and 0.8 individually. Accordingly, novel PFASs contributed 90% of all the legacy and novel PFASs in maternal sera and even occupied 96% of the whole PFASs in both placentas and cord sera. In addition, significant associations were determined among the neonate birth outcomes and serum concentrations of thyroid hormone, sex hormone, and glucocorticoid, together with the levels of certain legacy and novel PFASs in cord sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Bao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China.
| | - Li-Xin Shao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China.
| | - Shi-Wei Cui
- The National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China
| | - Gui-Lin Lu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China
| | - Xue Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China
| | - Yi-He Jin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
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43
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Liu T, Hu LX, Han Y, Dong LL, Wang YQ, Zhao JH, Liu YS, Zhao JL, Ying GG. Non-target and target screening of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate and impact on groundwater in Guangzhou, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157021. [PMID: 35777559 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Landfills are the main destination of many urban wastes containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and PFAS may leach out from the waste and contaminate the surrounding groundwater. Here we investigated the occurrence of PFAS in leachate and surrounding groundwater from three landfills in Guangzhou, China by using a combined target and non-target approach. Non-target screening showed that a total of 651 PFAS with 96 classes were identified, including 17 legacy PFAS and 637 emerging PFAS. The quantitative target analysis of some PFAS revealed that the average removal rate of PFAS from the raw leachates were ranged between 62 % and 99 %. Statistical analysis and source analysis suggested that landfill leachate was a major source of PFAS in the groundwater within the landfills and downstream sites. The results from the combined target and non-target analyses demonstrated that PFAS in landfills could leach into the surrounding groundwater, and may affect the sustainable use of groundwater as a source of drinking water and pose a potential risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Han
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liang-Li Dong
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu-Qing Wang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Hui Zhao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - You-Sheng Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jian-Liang Zhao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Li L, Yu N, Wang X, Shi W, Liu H, Zhang X, Yang L, Pan B, Yu H, Wei S. Comprehensive Exposure Studies of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the General Population: Target, Nontarget Screening, and Toxicity Prediction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14617-14626. [PMID: 36174189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment and populations have received extensive attention; however, their distribution and potential toxic effects in the general population remain unclear. Here, a comprehensive study on PFAS screening was carried out in serum samples of 202 individuals from the general population in four cities in China. A total of 165 suspected PFASs were identified using target and nontarget analysis, including seven identified PFAS homolog series, of which 16 PFASs were validated against standards, and seven PFASs [4:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (4:2 Cl-PFESA), 7:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (7:2 Cl-PFESA), hydrosubstituted perfluoroheptanoate (H-PFHpA), chlorine-substituted perfluorooctanoate (Cl-PFOA), chlorine-substituted perfluorononanate (Cl-PFNA), chlorine-substituted perfluorodecanoate (Cl-PFDA), and perfluorodecanedioic acid (PFLDCA n = 8)] were reported for the first time in human serum. The Tox21-GCN model (a graph convolutional neural network model based on the Tox21 database) was established to predict the toxicity of the discovered PFASs, revealing that PFASs containing sulfonic acid groups exhibited multiple potential toxic effects, such as estrogenic effects and stress responses. Our study indicated that the general population was exposed to various PFASs, and the toxicity prediction results of individual PFASs suggested potential health risks that could not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laihui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Nanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuebing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingcai Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
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45
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Yao Y, Meng Y, Chen H, Zhu L, Sun H. Non-target discovery of emerging PFAS homologues in Dagang Oilfield: Multimedia distribution and profiles in crude oil. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129300. [PMID: 35897169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are applied in oil exploitation activity. In this study, non-target and suspect target analyses with high-resolution mass spectrometry were used for identification of novel PFASs in the oilfield environment. A total of thirty-seven PFAS homologues belonging to eight classes were identified as level 4 or above, which partly explained the amount of potential unknown PFAS-precursors that were indicated by total oxidisable precursor assay in our previous study. Hydrogen-substituted and ether-substituted homologues were the main identified PFASs, and seven of them were newly reported homologues. C1-C3 perfluoroalkane sulphonic acids (PFSAs) were also for the first time identified in the oilfield. The sediment-water partitioning coefficients of most identified PFAS homologues positively correlate with their predicted octanol-water partitioning coefficients while those of C1-C3 PFSAs may have elevated sediment partitioning potential as also previously observed for ultra-short chain C2-C3 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids. The crude oil and sludge samples were further examined with the target and identified PFAS profiles. An annual flux of 10.4 kg/y via oil production was estimated in Dagang Oilfield with 16.6 % not from the target PFASs. This demonstrates that oil exploitation activities can be a significant underlying source of PFASs to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yue Meng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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46
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Jeong Y, Da Silva KM, Iturrospe E, Fuiji Y, Boogaerts T, van Nuijs ALN, Koelmel J, Covaci A. Occurrence and contamination profile of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Belgian wastewater using target, suspect and non-target screening approaches. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129378. [PMID: 35897185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With the growing concern regarding the health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), there is an increasing demand for the identification of emerging PFAS. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of legacy and emerging PFAS in 16 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Belgium using target, suspect, and non-target screening methods. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) were the dominant compounds in most locations, whereas perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the most predominant PFAS in WWTP Deurne (Antwerp region). Using a suspect screening approach, 14 PFAS were annotated as confidence level (CL) of 4 or higher and 4 PFAS were annotated as CL 2a and 2b, including aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-derived PFAS. The compound group of n:3 unsaturated fluorotelomer carboxylic acid was found using non-target screening in the wastewater from WWTP Deurne. Population exposure in a catchment area estimated using population-normalized mass loads (PNML) showed the highest value in the catchment area of WWTP Deurne, implying a potentially higher exposure to PFAS in this community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsun Jeong
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Katyeny Manuela Da Silva
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Elias Iturrospe
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yukiko Fuiji
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, 22-1 Tamagawa-cho, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan
| | - Tim Boogaerts
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alexander L N van Nuijs
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jeremy Koelmel
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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47
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Zweigle J, Bugsel B, Zwiener C. FindPFΔS: Non-Target Screening for PFAS─Comprehensive Data Mining for MS 2 Fragment Mass Differences. Anal Chem 2022; 94:10788-10796. [PMID: 35866933 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The limited availability of analytical reference standards makes non-target screening approaches based on high-resolution mass spectrometry increasingly important for the efficient identification of unknown PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and their TPs. We developed and optimized a vendor-independent open-source Python-based algorithm (FindPFΔS = FindPolyFluoroDeltas) to search for distinct fragment mass differences in MS/MS raw data (.ms2-files). Optimization with PFAS standards, two pre-characterized paper and soil samples (iterative data-dependent acquisition), revealed Δ(CF2)n, ΔHF, ΔCnH3F2n-3, ΔCnH2F2n-4, ΔCnHF2n-5, ΔCnF2nSO3, ΔCF3, and ΔCF2O as relevant and selective fragment differences depending on applied collision energies. In a PFAS standard mix, 94% (36 of 38 compounds from 10 compound classes) could be found by FindPFΔS. The use of fragment differences was applicable to a wide range of PFAS classes and appears as a promising new approach for PFAS identification. The influence of mass tolerance and intensity threshold on the identification efficiency and on the detection of false positives was systematically evaluated with the use of selected HR-MS2-spectra (20,998) from MassBank. To this end, with the use of FindPFΔS, we could identify different unknown PFAS homologues in the paper extracts. FindPFΔS is freely available as both Python source code on GitHub (https://github.com/JonZwe/FindPFAS) and as an executable windows application (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6797353) with a graphical user interface on Zenodo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Zweigle
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Boris Bugsel
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christian Zwiener
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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48
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Jiao E, Zhu Z, Yin D, Qiu Y, Kärrman A, Yeung LWY. A pilot study on extractable organofluorine and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water from drinking water treatment plants around Taihu Lake, China: what is missed by target PFAS analysis? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:1060-1070. [PMID: 35687097 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00073c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have raised concerns due to their worldwide occurrence and adverse effects on both the environment and humans as well as posing challenges for monitoring. Further collection of information is required for a better understanding of their occurrence and the unknown fractions of the extractable organofluorine (EOF) not explained by commonly monitored target PFAS. In this study, eight pairs of raw and treated water were collected from drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) around Taihu Lake in China and analyzed for EOF and 34 target PFAS. Mass balance analysis of organofluorine revealed that at least 68% of EOF could not be explained by target PFAS. Relatively higher total target concentrations were observed in 4 DWTPs (D1 to D4) when compared to other samples with the highest sum concentration up to 189 ng L-1. PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS were the abundant compounds. Suspect screening analysis identified 10 emerging PFAS (e.g., H-PFAAs, H-PFESAs and OBS) in addition to target PFAS in raw or treated water. The ratios PFBA/PFOA and PFBS/PFOS between previous and current studies showed significant replacements of short-chain to long-chain PFAS. The ratios of the measured PFAS concentrations to the guideline values showed that some of the treated drinking water exceeds guideline values, appealing for efforts on drinking water safety guarantee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enmiao Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China.
| | - Zhiliang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China.
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China.
| | - Yanling Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China.
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Sweden.
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Sweden.
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49
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Fan X, Jiang Y, Guan X, Bao Y, Gu M, Mumtaz M, Huang J, Yu G. Determination of total reducible organofluorine in PFAS-impacted aqueous samples based on hydrated electron defluorination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 829:154548. [PMID: 35288136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a large group of thousands of anthropogenic chemicals. Recently, measurement of total organic fluorine (TOF) to reflect the total PFASs has been recommended in limits and advisories. In this study, a total reducible organofluorine (TROF) assay is developed based on hydrated electron (eaq-) conversion of PFASs into inorganic fluorine combined with ion chromatograph, which is a common and widespread instrument. The eaq- is generated in UV/sulfite system with alkaline condition, and the concentration of TROF (CF_TROF) is the difference of fluoride concentration before and after assay. Method validation uses perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid and their main alternatives, and F- recoveries are 76.6%-101%, except for perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (48.5%). Method application of TROF assay uses industrial surfactant products and fluorochemical industry-contaminated water, meanwhile, target PFAS analysis and total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay are concurrently conducted. Concentrations of PFASs detected in target analysis and TOP assay were converted to fluorine equivalents concentrations (CF_Target and CF_TOP). ∑CF_Target and ∑CF_TOP account for 0.80%-36% of CF_TROF in industrial samples, 0.12%-54% in environmental water and 9.7%-14% in wastewater. The TROF assay can be used to initially judge whether PFASs contamination occurred near a hotspot with known sources. The CF_TROF could infer the extent of PFAS contamination in PFAS-impacted samples and estimate the fraction of uncharacterized PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Fan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yiming Jiang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yixiang Bao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengbin Gu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mehvish Mumtaz
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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50
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Wu C, Wang Q, Chen H, Li M. Rapid quantitative analysis and suspect screening of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and municipal wastewater samples by Nano-ESI-HRMS. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 219:118542. [PMID: 35550967 PMCID: PMC10492922 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A rapid analytical method for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) combining nano-electrospray ionization and high-resolution mass spectrometry (Nano-ESI-HRMS) was developed and applied to aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and wastewater samples collected from three local wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This method exhibited high sensitivity with lower limits of detection (LODs) of 3.2∼36.2 ng/L for 22 target PFAS analytes. In AFFF formulations, Nano-ESI-HRMS enabled the first-time detection of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS), perfluoroethyl cyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonyl amido sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSAS-SO2), N-ammoniopropyl perfluoroalkanesulfonamidopropylsulfonate (N-AmP-FASAPS, n = 3-6), ketone-perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (Keto-PFOS), fluorotelomer unsaturated amide sulfonic acid (FTUAmS, n = 7), and 6:2 fluorotelomer amide (6:2 FTAm). Their structures were verified by the tandem MS analysis using collision-induced dissociation. Further, the combination of absolute and semi-quantification results revealed 16 PFASs from 9 PFAS classes as dominant AFFF constituents, accounting for 88.2∼96.5% of the total detected anionic and zwitterionic PFASs, including perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs, n = 1,4∼8), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates (6:2 FTS), fluorotelomer thioether amido sulfonic acid (FTSAS, n = 6,8), fluorotelomer sulfinyl amido sulfonic acid (FTSAS-SO, n = 6,8), N-AmP-FASAPS (n = 6), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), perfluoroalkylsulfonamido amino carboxylate (PFASAC, n = 6), 2-((perfluorooctyl)thio)acetatic acid (Thio-8:2 FTCA), and 6:2 FTAm. At WWTPs, aerobic and anaerobic biotransformation of PFAS precursors at the aeration tanks and secondary clarifiers were evident by the generation of mid/short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids, such as perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), as well as the emergence of ultrashort trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and TFMS and several novel fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs). Overall, Nano-ESI-HRMS enabled comprehensive PFAS quantitative analysis and suspect screening, applicable for rapid investigation and assessment of PFAS-related exposure and treatment in environmental matrixes. Our results also revealed that AFFFs and municipal wastewaters are two key sources contributing to the prevalent detection of ultrashort-chain PFASs (e.g., TFMS and TFA) in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States.
| | - Mengyan Li
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States.
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