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Behnami A, Zoroufchi Benis K, Pourakbar M, Yeganeh M, Esrafili A, Gholami M. Biosolids, an important route for transporting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from wastewater treatment plants into the environment: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171559. [PMID: 38458438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171559] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in diverse products has led to their introduction into wastewater systems, making wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) significant PFAS contributors to the environment. Despite WWTPs' efforts to mitigate PFAS impact through physicochemical and biological means, concerns persist regarding PFAS retention in generated biosolids. While numerous review studies have explored the fate of these compounds within WWTPs, no study has critically reviewed their presence, transformation mechanisms, and partitioning within the sludge. Therefore, the current study has been specifically designed to investigate these aspects. Studies show variations in PFAS concentrations across WWTPs, highlighting the importance of aqueous-to-solid partitioning, with sludge from PFOS and PFOA-rich wastewater showing higher concentrations. Research suggests biological mechanisms such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, transamine metabolism, and beta-oxidation are involved in PFAS biotransformation, though the effects of precursor changes require further study. Carbon chain length significantly affects PFAS partitioning, with longer chains leading to greater adsorption in sludge. The wastewater's organic and inorganic content is crucial for PFAS adsorption; for instance, higher sludge protein content and divalent cations like calcium and magnesium promote adsorption, while monovalent cations like sodium impede it. In conclusion, these discoveries shed light on the complex interactions among factors affecting PFAS behavior in biosolids. They underscore the necessity for thorough considerations in managing PFAS presence and its impact on environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Behnami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khaled Zoroufchi Benis
- Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mojtaba Pourakbar
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran; Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Yeganeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Esrafili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mitra Gholami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Chen W, Yang F, Hu E, Yang C, Sun C, Li M. Occurrence, fate and risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater treatment plants in Shaanxi, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120226. [PMID: 36150624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered as major sinks for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). However, conventional WWTPs with low efficiency are also a secondary point source of PFASs entering the environment. Herein, a large-scale investigation of PFASs was conducted in 44 WWTPs throughout Shaanxi Province in the transitional zone between North and South China. The composition profiles of target PFASs differed between wastewater and sludge samples. Perfluorobutanoic acid was dominant in wastewater influent and effluent samples, with maximum concentrations of 59.8 and 11.4 ng/L, respectively. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid occurred predominantly in sludge samples, with a maximum concentration of 73.2 ng/g. Through wastewater treatment, short-chain PFASs with an even number of carbon atoms were mostly removed, whereas short-chain PFASs with an odd number of carbon atoms were primarily discharged into receiving water. Long-chain PFASs (perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids: C ≥ 8; perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids: C ≥ 6) were not removed efficiently and secondary production might occur during treatment. Based on the risk quotient, PFASs residues in wastewater effluent posed minimal ecological risk, but the residues in sludge posed low to high potential risk. The mass loadings of PFASs discharged through wastewater and sludge were 15.5 and 3.74 kg/year, respectively, from all WWTPs in Shaanxi Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Chen
- Shaanxi Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Xi'an, 710061, PR China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Fang Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - En Hu
- Shaanxi Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Xi'an, 710061, PR China.
| | - Chenghua Yang
- Shaanxi Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Changshun Sun
- Shaanxi Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
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3
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Ganesan S, Chawengkijwanich C, Gopalakrishnan M, Janjaroen D. Detection methods for sub-nanogram level of emerging pollutants - Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 168:113377. [PMID: 35995078 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are organofluorine compounds has been manufactured for more than five decades and used in different purposes. Among persistent organic pollutants, PFAS are toxic, bioaccumulative in humans, wildlife, and global environment. As per environmental protection agency (EPA) guidelines, the perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate permissible limit was 0.07 ng/L in drinking water. When the concentration exceeds the acceptable limit, it has negative consequences for humans. In such a case, PFAS monitoring is critical, and a quick detection technique are highly needed. Health departments and regulatory agencies have interests in monitoring of PFAS presences and exposures. For the detection of PFAS, numerous highly precise and sensitive chromatographic methods are available. However, the drawbacks of analytical techniques include timely sample preparations and the lack of on-site applicability. As a result, there is an increasing demand for simple sensor systems for monitoring of PFAS in real field samples. In this review, we first describe the sample pre-treatment and analytical techniques for the detection of PFAS. Second, we broadly discussed available sensor system for the quantification of PFAS in different filed samples. Finally, future trends in PFASs sensor are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunantha Ganesan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Chamorn Chawengkijwanich
- Research Network of NANOTEC - CU on Environment, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 12120, Pathumthani, Thailand.
| | - Mohan Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Dao Janjaroen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 12120, Pathumthani, Thailand.
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4
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Hoang SA, Bolan N, Madhubashani AMP, Vithanage M, Perera V, Wijesekara H, Wang H, Srivastava P, Kirkham MB, Mickan BS, Rinklebe J, Siddique KHM. Treatment processes to eliminate potential environmental hazards and restore agronomic value of sewage sludge: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118564. [PMID: 34838711 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Land application of sewage sludge is increasingly used as an alternative to landfilling and incineration owing to a considerable content of carbon and essential plant nutrients in sewage sludge. However, the presence of chemical and biological contaminants in sewage sludge poses potential dangers; therefore, sewage sludge must be suitably treated before being applied to soils. The most common methods include anaerobic digestion, aerobic composting, lime stabilization, incineration, and pyrolysis. These methods aim at stabilizing sewage sludge, to eliminate its potential environmental pollution and restore its agronomic value. To achieve best results on land, a comprehensive understanding of the transformation of organic matter, nutrients, and contaminants during these sewage-sludge treatments is essential; however, this information is still lacking. This review aims to fill this knowledge gap by presenting various approaches to treat sewage sludge, transformation processes of some major nutrients and pollutants during treatment, and potential impacts on soils. Despite these treatments, overtime there are still some potential risks of land application of treated sewage sludge. Potentially toxic substances remain the main concern regarding the reuse of treated sewage sludge on land. Therefore, further treatment may be applied, and long-term field studies are warranted, to prevent possible adverse effects of treated sewage sludge on the ecosystem and human health and enable its land application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son A Hoang
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Division of Urban Infrastructural Engineering, Mientrung University of Civil Engineering, Phu Yen, 56000, Viet Nam
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia.
| | - A M P Madhubashani
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Centre, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka; Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Centre, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Vishma Perera
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka
| | - Hasintha Wijesekara
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka
| | - Hailong Wang
- Biochar Engineering Technology Research Center of Guangdong Province, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, China
| | - Prashant Srivastava
- CSIRO, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Land and Water, PMB 2, Glen Osmond, South Australia, 5064, Australia
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Bede S Mickan
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Institute of Soil Engineering, Waste- and Water Science, Faculty of Architecture und Civil Engineering, University of Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia
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Negrete-Bolagay D, Zamora-Ledezma C, Chuya-Sumba C, De Sousa FB, Whitehead D, Alexis F, Guerrero VH. Persistent organic pollutants: The trade-off between potential risks and sustainable remediation methods. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 300:113737. [PMID: 34536739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have become a very serious issue for the environment because of their toxicity, resistance to conventional degradation mechanisms, and capacity to bioconcentrate, bioaccumulate and biomagnify. In this review article, the safety, regulatory, and remediation aspects of POPs including aromatic, chlorinated, pesticides, brominated, and fluorinated compounds, are discussed. Industrial and agricultural activities are identified as the main sources of these harmful chemicals, which are released to air, soil and water, impacting on social and economic development of society at a global scale. The main types of POPs are presented, illustrating their effects on wildlife and human beings, as well as the ways in which they contaminate the food chain. Some of the most promising and innovative technologies developed for the removal of POPs from water are discussed, contrasting their advantages and disadvantages with those of more conventional treatment processes. The promising methods presented in this work include bioremediation, advanced oxidation, ionizing radiation, and nanotechnology. Finally, some alternatives to define more efficient approaches to overcome the impacts that POPs cause in the hydric sources are pointed out. These alternatives include the formulation of policies, regulations and custom-made legislation for controlling the use of these pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Negrete-Bolagay
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, 100119, Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Camilo Zamora-Ledezma
- Tissue Regeneration and Repair: Orthobiology, Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Research Group, UCAM - Universidad Católica de Murcia, Avda. Los Jerónimos 135, Guadalupe, 30107, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Cristina Chuya-Sumba
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, 100119, Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Frederico B De Sousa
- Laboratório de Sistemas Poliméricos e Supramoleculares, Physics and Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Itajubá, 37500-903, Itajubá, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Whitehead
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
| | - Frank Alexis
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, 100119, Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Victor H Guerrero
- Department of Materials, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ladrón de Guevara E11-253, Quito, 170525, Ecuador.
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Bolan N, Sarkar B, Vithanage M, Singh G, Tsang DCW, Mukhopadhyay R, Ramadass K, Vinu A, Sun Y, Ramanayaka S, Hoang SA, Yan Y, Li Y, Rinklebe J, Li H, Kirkham MB. Distribution, behaviour, bioavailability and remediation of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in solid biowastes and biowaste-treated soil. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 155:106600. [PMID: 33964642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foam, used in firefighting, and biowastes, including biosolids, animal and poultry manures, and composts, provide a major source of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) input to soil. Large amounts of biowastes are added to soil as a source of nutrients and carbon. They also are added as soil amendments to improve soil health and crop productivity. Plant uptake of PFAS through soil application of biowastes is a pathway for animal and human exposure to PFAS. The complexity of PFAS mixtures, and their chemical and thermal stability, make remediation of PFAS in both solid and aqueous matrices challenging. Remediation of PFAS in biowastes, as well as soils treated with these biowastes, can be achieved through preventing and decreasing the concentration of PFAS in biowaste sources (i.e., prevention through source control), mobilization of PFAS in contaminated soil and subsequent removal through leaching (i.e., soil washing) and plant uptake (i.e., phytoremediation), sorption of PFAS, thereby decreasing their mobility and bioavailability (i.e., immobilization), and complete removal through thermal and chemical oxidation (i.e., destruction). In this review, the distribution, bioavailability, and remediation of PFAS in soil receiving solid biowastes, which include biosolids, composts, and manure, are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanthi Bolan
- The Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia, The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Gurwinder Singh
- The Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Raj Mukhopadhyay
- Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal 132001, India
| | - Kavitha Ramadass
- The Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Ajayan Vinu
- The Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sammani Ramanayaka
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom; Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Son A Hoang
- The Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia, The Cooperative Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Yubo Yan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an 223300, China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, Faculty of Architecture und Civil Engineering, Institute of Soil Engineering, Waste- and Water Science, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea.
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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Nickel JP, Sacher F, Fuchs S. Up-to-date monitoring data of wastewater and stormwater quality in Germany. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117452. [PMID: 34358910 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive dataset of pollutant concentrations in German urban wastewater systems is available from recently completed monitoring projects. It contains up to 1000 concentration values for each of 79 substances in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents from 49 sites, and up to 157 values for each of 95 substances in combined sewer overflows (CSOs) from 12 sites. WWTP influents and stormwater outfalls were sampled to a lesser extent. All sampling methods were harmonised and aimed at collecting event or multi-day composite samples over periods of ≥1 year. Among the substances analysed were biocides and pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, perfluorinated alkyl substances, metals, pharmaceuticals, benzotriazoles, phenols, acesulfame, di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, and hexabromocyclododecanes. Occurrence, concentration ranges, and removal rates of selected WWTPs are presented. CSOs can be confirmed as an important pathway of metals and PAH to receiving waters when compared to WWTPs on the basis of annual per capita loads. The derived volume-weighted site mean concentrations are qualified to be used as representative input data for estimation of average substance emissions in large areas, e.g. on river basin scale, if no site-specific data are available. As such, they will contribute to the development of strategies to reduce substance emissions, taking into account not only WWTPs but also stormwater-related discharges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philip Nickel
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Water and River Basin Management, Department of Aquatic Environmental Engineering, Gotthard-Franz-Str. 3, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany.
| | - Frank Sacher
- DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW), Karlsruher Straße 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Water and River Basin Management, Department of Aquatic Environmental Engineering, Gotthard-Franz-Str. 3, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany.
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Rodríguez-Varela M, Durán-Álvarez JC, Jiménez-Cisneros B, Zamora O, Prado B. Occurrence of perfluorinated carboxylic acids in Mexico City's wastewater: A monitoring study in the sewerage and a mega wastewater treatment plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 774:145060. [PMID: 33609836 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An analytical method based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was validated to quantify five perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCA) namely, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), in wastewater produced in a megacity. Sampling was performed on a monthly basis, obtaining samples from the undergrounded sewerage system and the main open-air canal transporting wastewater out the city. Steady levels of the sum of the target PFCA (ƩPFCA) were determined on both sites through the study: 419.4 ± 24.3 ng L-1 in undergrounded sewage and 591.1 ± 39 ng L-1 in the open-air canal. Short-chain PFCA (PFBA, PFHxA, and PFHpA) were abundant, while concentrations of PFOA and PFUnA remained lower in both sampling sites. The open-air canal was transected in four sampling points, which were sampled throughout the monitoring campaign, finding that furtive discharges of municipal and industrial wastewater increased the levels of short-chain PFCA, while those of PFOA and PFUnA were depleted. Relevant concentrations of PFBA (176.9 ± 3.3 ng L-1), PFHxA (133.4 ± 2.5 ng L-1), PFHpA (116.6 ± 3.9 ng L-1), PFOA (133.1 ± 3.5 ng L-1), and PFUnA (23.5 ± 6.5 ng L-1) were found 60 km downstream, where the wastewater transported by the open-air canal is used in irrigation. A fraction of sewage is treated in a conventional wastewater treatment plant. The concentration of short-chain PFCA increased in effluent, adding extra loads of PFBA, PFHxA, and PFHpA to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rodríguez-Varela
- Posgrado en Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacan, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Juan C Durán-Álvarez
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacan, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Blanca Jiménez-Cisneros
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacan, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Olivia Zamora
- Instituto de Geología y LANGEM, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Blanca Prado
- Instituto de Geología y LANGEM, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
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