A new class of perfluorinated acid contaminants: primary and secondary substituted perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides are acidic at environmentally and toxicologically relevant pH values

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

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.

Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides (FASA)

Hundreds of sites across the United States have high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASA), but little is known about their propensity to accumulate in fish. FASA are precursors to terminal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are abundant in diverse consumer products and aqueous film-forming foams manufactured using electrochemical fluorination (ECF AFFF). In this study, FASA with C3-C8 carbon chain lengths were detected in all fish samples from surface waters up to 8 km downstream of source zones with ECF AFFF contamination. Short-chain FASA ≤ C6 have rarely been included in routine screening for PFAS, but availability of new standards makes such analyses more feasible. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for FASA were between 1 and 3 orders of magnitude greater than their terminal perfluoroalkyl sulfonates. Across fish species, BAF for FASA were greater than for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), which is presently the focus of national advisory programs. Similar concentrations of the C6 FASA (<0.36-175 ng g-1) and PFOS (0.65-222 ng g-1) were detected in all fish species. No safety thresholds have been established for FASA. However, high concentrations in fish next to contaminated sites and preliminary findings on toxicity suggest an urgent need for consideration by fish advisory programs.

Target and nontarget screening of PFAS in drinking water for a large-scale survey of urban and rural communities in Québec, Canada

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).

Effect of pH, surface charge and soil properties on the solid-solution partitioning of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in a wide range of temperate soils

The pH-dependent soil-water partitioning of six perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) of environmental concern (PFOA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFHxS, PFOS and FOSA), was investigated for 11 temperate mineral soils and related to soil properties such as organic carbon content (0.2-3%), concentrations of Fe and Al (hydr)oxides, and texture. PFAS sorption was positively related to the perfluorocarbon chain length of the molecule, and inversely related to solution pH for all substances. The negative slope between log K_d and pH became steeper with increasing perfluorocarbon chain length of the PFAS (r² = 0.75, p ≤ 0.05). Organic carbon (OC) alone was a poor predictor of the partitioning for all PFASs, except for FOSA (r² = 0.71), and the OC-normalized PFAS partitioning, as derived from organic soil materials, underestimated PFAS sorption to the soils. Multiple linear regression suggested sorption contributions (p ≤ 0.05) from OC for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and FOSA, and Fe/Al (hydr)oxides for PFOS, FOSA, and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA). FOSA was the only substance under study for which there was a statistically significant correlation between its binding and soil texture (silt + clay). To predict PFAS sorption, the surface net charge of the soil organic matter fraction of all soils was calculated using the Stockholm Humic Model. When calibrated against charge-dependent PFAS sorption to a peat (Oe) material, the derived model significantly underestimated the measured K_d values for 10 out of 11 soils. To conclude, additional sorbents, possibly including silicate minerals, contribute to the binding of PFASs in soil. More research is needed to develop geochemical models that can accurately predict PFAS sorption in soils.

Effect of geochemical conditions on PFAS release from AFFF-impacted saturated soil columns

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are frequently found at high concentrations in the subsurface of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-impacted sites. Geochemical parameters affect the release of PFASs from source area soils into groundwater but have not been extensively studied for soils that have been historically impacted with AFFF. This study investigated the effects of pH and salt concentrations on release of anionic and zwitterionic PFASs from AFFF-impacted soils in flow-through saturated columns. High pH (10) columns with elevated sodium concentrations had higher cumulative masses eluted of several PFASs compared to pH 3 and pH 7 columns with lower sodium concentrations, likely caused by changes to soil organic matter surface charge. Four PFASs (e.g. 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, perfluorobutane sulfonamido acetic acid) eluted significantly earlier in both pH 3 and pH 10/high NaCl columns compared to pH 7 columns. The results of this study suggest that shifts in pH for soils located at AFFF-impacted sites - particularly raising the pH - may mobilize sorbed PFASs, specifically longer-chain and zwitterionic compounds that are typically strongly sorbed to soil.

PFAS and Precursor Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Recreational Fish: Implications for Fish Advisories

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that include perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), which are widely used in modern commerce. Many products and environmental samples contain abundant precursors that can degrade into terminal PFAA associated with adverse health effects. Fish consumption is an important dietary exposure source for PFAS that bioaccumulate in food webs. However, little is known about bioaccumulation of PFAA precursors. Here, we identify and quantify PFAS in recreational fish species collected from surface waters across New Hampshire, US, using a toolbox of analytical methods. Targeted analysis of paired water and tissue samples suggests that many precursors below detection in water have a higher bioaccumulation potential than their terminal PFAA. Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), a short-chain precursor produced by electrochemical fluorination, was detected in all fish samples analyzed for this compound. The total oxidizable precursor assay interpreted using Bayesian inference revealed fish muscle tissue contained additional, short-chain precursors in high concentration samples. Suspect screening analysis indicated these were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors with three and five perfluorinated carbons. Fish consumption advisories are primarily being developed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), but this work reinforces the need for risk evaluations to consider additional bioaccumulative PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors.

Binding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) by organic soil materials with different structural composition - Charge- and concentration-dependent sorption behavior

The charge- and concentration-dependent sorption behavior of a range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) was studied for three organic soil samples with different organic matter quality, one Spodosol Oe horizon (Mor Oe) and two Sphagnum peats with different degrees of decomposition (Peat Oi and Peat Oe). Sorption to the two peat materials was, on average, four times stronger compared to that onto the Mor Oe material. In particular, longer-chained PFASs were more strongly bound by the two peats as compared to the Mor Oe sample. The combined results of batch sorption experiments and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy suggested sorption to be positively related to the content of carbohydrates (i.e., O-alkyl carbon). Sorption of all PFAS subclasses was inversely related to the pH value in all soils, with the largest pH effects being observed for perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) with C₁₀ and C₁₁ perfluorocarbon chain lengths. Experimentally determined sorption isotherms onto the poorly humified Peat Oi did not deviate significantly from linearity for most substances, while for the Mor Oe horizon, sorption nonlinearity was generally more pronounced. This work should prove useful in assessing PFAS sorption and leaching in organic soil horizons within environmental risk assessment.

Comparing the Leaching Behavior of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Contaminated Soils Using Static and Column Leaching Tests

Soil contaminated with aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at firefighting training sites has become a major concern worldwide. To date, most studies have focused on assessing soil-water partitioning behavior of PFASs and the key factors that can affect their sorption, whereas PFASs leaching from contaminated soils have not yet been widely investigated. This study evaluated the leaching and desorption of a wide range of PFASs from twelve contaminated soils using the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure (ASLP), the U.S. EPA Multiple Extraction Procedure (MEP), and Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF). All three leaching tests provided a similar assessment of PFAS leaching behavior. Leaching of PFASs from soils was related to C-chain lengths and their functional head groups. While short-chain (CF₂ ≤ 6) PFASs were easily desorbed and leached, long-chain PFASs were more difficult to desorb. PFASs with a carboxylate head group were leached more readily and to a greater extent than those with a sulfonate or sulfonamide head group. Leaching of long-chain PFASs was pH-dependent where leaching increased at high pH, while leaching of short-chain PFASs was less sensitive to pH. Comparing different leaching tests showed that the results using the alkaline ASLP were similar to the cumulative MEP data and the former might be more practical for routine use than the MEP. No single soil property was adequately able to describe PFAS leaching from the soils. Overall, the PFAS chemical structure appeared to have a greater effect on PFAS leaching from soil than soil physicochemical properties.

Durability of sorption of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in soils immobilised using common adsorbents: 1. Effects of perturbations in pH

The global problem of groundwater being contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) originating from highly contaminated soils has created a need to remediate these locations. In situ immobilisation of PFASs in soil by applying sorbents is often a preferred low-cost technique to reduce their mobility and leaching to groundwater, but the long-term efficacy of sorbents has not yet been investigated. In this study, the longevity of remediation of two different soils by two common sorbents (RemBind®, and pulverized activated carbon, Filtrasorb™ 400) was assessed. Regulatory agencies often rely on standardised leaching procedures to assess the risk of contaminant mobility in soils. Hence, the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure and the U.S. EPA Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework were applied to quantify the desorption/leaching of a wide range of PFASs from unremediated and remediated soils under a range of pH conditions (pH 2 to 12). Ease of desorption and subsequent leaching from the unremediated soils was related to C-chain length; while short-chain PFASs were easily desorbed and leached, long-chain PFASs were more difficult to desorb. Desorption of long-chain PFASs was also pH dependent in unremediated soils, with desorption being greater at high pH. Both sorbents retained PFASs strongly in the remediated soils (> 99% for most PFASs) across a broad range of pH conditions, with only small differences between the sorbents in terms of efficacy. Both sorbents showed better retention of PFASs under low pH conditions. Remediation of PFAS-contaminated soils with these sorbents could be considered robust and durable in terms of changes in soil pH, with little risk of subsequent PFASs desorption under normal environmental pH conditions. Ultimately, to give regulators and site owners the greatest level of confidence that immobilisation is stable for the longer term, it should also be tested under repeated cycles of leaching and under different conditions.

The Adsorption of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) onto Ferrihydrite Is Governed by Surface Charge

An improved quantitative and qualitative understanding of the interaction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and short-range ordered Fe (hydr)oxides is crucial for environmental risk assessment in environments low in natural organic matter. Here, we present data on the pH-dependent sorption behavior of 12 PFASs onto ferrihydrite. The nature of the binding mechanisms was investigated by sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and by phosphate competition experiments. Sulfur K-edge XANES spectroscopy showed that the sulfur atom of the head group of the sulfonated PFASs retained an oxidation state of +V after adsorption. Furthermore, the XANES spectra did not indicate any involvement of inner-sphere surface complexes in the sorption process. Adsorption was inversely related to pH (p < 0.05) for all PFASs (i.e., C₃-C₅ and C₇-C₉ perfluorocarboxylates, C₄, C₆, and C₈ perfluorosulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonamide, and 6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates). This was attributed to the pH-dependent charge of the ferrihydrite surface, as reflected in the decrease of surface ζ-potential with increasing pH. The importance of surface charge for PFAS adsorption was further corroborated by the observation that the adsorption of PFASs decreased upon phosphate adsorption in a way that was consistent with the decrease in ferrihydrite ζ-potential. The results show that ferrihydrite can be an important sorbent for PFASs with six or more perfluorinated carbons in acid environments (pH ≤ 5), particularly when phosphate and other competitors are present in relatively low concentrations.

Thermal desorption as a high removal remediation technique for soils contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)

Soils contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are an important source for impacting drinking water delivery systems and surface water bodies world-wide, posing an urgent risk to human health and environmental quality. However, few treatment techniques have been tested for PFAS-contaminated soil hotspots. This study investigated the possibility of thermal desorption as a possible technique to remediate soils contaminated with multiple PFASs. Two fortified soils (∑₉PFAS ≈ 4 mg kg^-1) and one field-contaminated soil (∑₉PFAS ≈ 0.025 mg kg^-1) were subjected to a 75-min thermal treatment at temperatures ranging from 150 to 550°C. Soil concentrations of PFASs showed a significant decrease at 350°C, with the ∑₉PFAS concentration decreasing by, on average, 43% and 79% in the fortified and field contaminated soils, respectively. At 450°C, >99% of PFASs were removed from the fortified soils, while at 550°C the fraction removed ranged between 71 and 99% for the field contaminated soil. In the field contaminated soil, PFAS classes with functional groups of sulfonates (PFSAs) and sulfonamides (FOSAs) showed higher removal than the perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs). Thus thermal desorption has the potential to remove a wide variety of PFASs from soil, although more studies are needed to investigate the cost-effectiveness, creation of transformation products, and air-phase vacuum filtration techniques.

Nontarget Screening of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Binding to Human Liver Fatty Acid Binding Protein

More than 1000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been discovered by nontarget analysis (NTA), but their prioritization for health concerns is challenging. We developed a method by incorporating size-exclusion column co-elution (SECC) and NTA, to screen PFASs binding to human liver fatty acid binding protein (hL-FABP). Of 74 PFASs assessed, 20 were identified as hL-FABP ligands in which eight of them have high binding affinities. Increased PFAS binding affinities correlate with stronger responses in electrospray ionization (ESI^-) and longer retention times on a C18 column. This is well explained by a mechanistic model, which revealed that both polar and hydrophobic interactions are crucial for binding affinities. Encouraged by this, we then developed an SECC method to identify hL-FABP ligands, and all eight high-affinity ligands were selectively captured from 74 PFASs. The method was further applied to an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) product in which 31 new hL-FABP ligands were identified. Suspect and nontargeted screening revealed these ligands as analogues of perfluorosulfonic acids and homologues of alkyl ether sulfates (C₈- and C₁₀/EO_n, C₈H₁₇(C₂H₄O)_nSO₄^-, and C₁₀H₂₁(C₂H₄O)_nSO₄^-). The SECC method was then applied to AFFF-contaminated surface waters. In addition to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, eight other AFFF chemicals were discovered as novel ligands, including four C₁₄- and C₁₅/EO_n. This study implemented a high-throughput method to prioritize PFASs and revealed the existence of many previously unknown hL-FABP ligands.

Stabilization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with colloidal activated carbon (PlumeStop®) as a function of soil clay and organic matter content

The global problem of contamination of drinking water sources and the aquatic environment with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) originating from highly contaminated soils is addressed in this study. For the first time, a colloidal activated carbon (AC) product (PlumeStop®) was systematically assessed for PFASs stabilization in soil. Colloidal (particle size 0.1-1.1 μm) AC has the advantage that field application is non-intrusive, comprising injection under high pressure in situ at PFAS-contaminated soil hotspots. In the assessment, 10 different soil mixtures with gradually increasing organic carbon and clay fractions were spiked with 18 different PFASs of varying perfluorocarbon chain length and four different functional groups and aged for one year. Equilibrium leaching tests showed that the ability of colloidal AC to increase sorption of PFASs to soil was highly dependent on PFAS perfluorocarbon chain length. The best treatment efficiency was observed for perfluorocarbon chain lengths 6-7 at which colloidal AC resulted in sorption of 81%, 85%, and 86% for perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate, (PFHxS), respectively. Sorption of individual PFASs decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing organic carbon content in soil treated with colloidal AC indicating stearic hindrance of the ACs pore structure. On the other hand, the sorption of the majority of PFASs increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing clay content in colloidal AC-treated soil, which can be explained by increase in surface area that colloidal AC can sorb to. Overall, the results indicate that the colloidal AC product tested can be useful in remediation approaches for certain PFASs under specific field conditions and PFAS contamination.

Electrodialytic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) removal mechanism for contaminated soil

Contamination of soils with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a global problem, in particular at fire-fighter training sites due to the usage of PFAS-containing aqueous fire-fighting foams (AFFFs). In this study, an electrodialytic remediation method was applied for the first time to remove PFASs from contaminated soil. The electrodialytic remediation system was evaluated in a laboratory-scale experiment with current densities of 0.19 mA cm^-2 and 0.38 mA cm^-2 over 21 days, using PFAS-contaminated soil from a fire-fighter training site at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden. Of the 23 PFASs targeted, significant (p < 0.05) PFAS electromigration towards the anode was observed for C₃-C₇ perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFOA) and C₄, C₆, and C₈ perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) (PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS) since these PFASs were predominantly negatively charged. In contrast to the electromigration of the charged PFASs, N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (MeFOSA), perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (FOSAA) and ethyl FOSAA (EtFOSAA) showed significant (p < 0.05) transport towards the cathode, which is probably attributed to electro-osmotic flow of these predominantly neutral PFASs. Mass balance calculations showed that for the shortest-chained PFASs (i.e., PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFBS, and PFHxS), up to 20% was extracted from the soil to the anolyte, which showed that electrodialysis is a possible in-situ remediation technique for PFAS-contaminated soil.

Stabilization and solidification remediation of soil contaminated with poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)

Remediation methods for soils contaminated with poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are urgently needed to protect the surrounding environment and drinking water source areas from pollution. In this study, the stabilization and solidification (S/S) technique was tested on aged PFAS-contaminated soil that were artificially spiked with 14 PFAS. To further reduce leaching of PFASs in S/S-treated soil, seven different additives were tested at 2% concentration: powdered activated carbon (PAC), Rembind®, pulverized zeolite, chitosan, hydrotalcite, bentonite, and calcium chloride. Standardized leaching tests on S/S-treated soil revealed that leaching of 13 out of 14 target PFASs (excluding perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBA)) was reduced by, on average, 70% and 94% by adding PAC and Rembind®. Longer-chained PFASs such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which is considered persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, were stabilized by 99.9% in all S/S treatments when PAC or Rembind® was used as an additive. The S/S stabilization efficiency depended on PFAS perfluorocarbon chain length and functional group, e.g., it increased on average by 11-15 % per CF₃-moeity and was on average 49% higher for the perfluorosulfonates (PFSAs) than the perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs). Overall, the S/S treatment with active carbon-based additives showed excellent performance in reducing leaching of PFASs, without marked loss of physical matrix stability.

Kinetic analysis of aerobic biotransformation pathways of a perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) precursor in distinctly different soils

With the phaseout of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) production in most countries and its well known recalcitrance, there is a need to quantify the potential release of PFOS from precursors previously or currently being emitted into the environment. Aerobic biodegradation of N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol (EtFOSE) was monitored in two soils from Indiana, USA: an acidic forest silt loam (FRST-48, pH = 5.5) and a high pH agricultural loam (PSF-49, pH = 7.8) with similar organic carbon contents (2.4 and 2.6%) for 210 d and 180 d, respectively. At designated times, triplicate samples were sacrificed for which headspace samples were taken followed by three sequential extractions. Extracts were analyzed using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Measured profiles of EtFOSE degradation and generation/degradation of subsequent metabolites were fitted to the Indiana soils data as well as to a previously published data set for a Canadian soil using an R-based model (KinGUII) to explore pathways and estimate half-lives (t_1/2) for EtFOSE and metabolites. EtFOSE degradation ranged from a few days to up to a month. PFOS yields ranged form 1.06-5.49 mol% with the alkaline soils being four to five times higher than the acidic soil. In addition, a direct pathway to PFOS had to be invoked to describe the early generation of PFOS in the Canadian soil. Of all metabolites, the sulfonamidoacetic acids were the most persistent (t_1/2 ≥ 3 months) in all soils. We hypothesized that while pH-pK_a dependent speciation may have impacted rates, differences in microbial communities between the 3 soils arising from varied soil properties including pH, nutrient levels, soil management, and climatic regions are likely the major factors affecting pathways, rates, and PFOS yields.

Different binding mechanisms of neutral and anionic poly-/perfluorinated chemicals to human transthyretin revealed by In silico models

Chemical forms-dependent binding interactions between phenolic compounds and human transthyretin (hTTR) have been elaborated previously. However, it is not known whether the binding interactions between ionizable halogenated alphatic compounds and hTTR also have the same manner. In this study, poly-/perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were selected as model compounds and molecular dynamic simulation was performed to investigate the binding mechanisms between PFCs and hTTR. Results show the binding interactions between the halogenated aliphatic compounds and hTTR are related to the chemical forms. The ionized groups of PFCs can form electrostatic interactions with the -NH⁺₃ groups of Lys 15 residues in hTTR and form hydrogen bonds with the residues of hTTR. By analyzing the molecular orbital energies of PFCs, we also found that the anionic groups (nucleophile) in PFCs could form electron donor - acceptor interactions with the -NH⁺₃ groups (electrophile) in Lys 15. The aforementioned orientational interactions make the ionized groups of the PFCs point toward the entry port of the binding site. The roles of fluorine atoms in the binding interactions were also explored. The fluorine atoms can influence the binding interactions via inductive effects. Appropriate molecular descriptors were selected to characterize these interactions, and two quantitative structure-activity relationship models were developed.

Estimated pKa values for the environmentally relevant C1 through C8 perfluorinated sulfonic acid isomers

In order to estimate isomer-specific acidity constants (pKa) for the perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) environmental contaminants, the parameterization method 6 (PM6) pKa prediction method was extensively validated against a wide range of carbon oxyacids and related sulfonic/sulfinic acids. Excellent pKa prediction performance was observed for the carbon oxyacids using the PM6 method, but this approach was found to have a severe positive bias for sulfonic/sulfinic acids. To overcome this obstacle, a correlation was developed between non-adjusted PM6 pKa values and the corresponding experimentally obtained/estimated acidity constants for a range of representative alkyl, aryl and halogen-substituted sulfonic acids. Application of this correction to the PM6 values allows for extension of this computational method to a new acid functional group. When used to estimate isomer-specific pKa values for the C1 through C8 PFSAs, the modified PM6 approach suggests an adjusted pKa range from -5.3 to -9.0, indicating that all members of this class of well-known environmental contaminants will be effectively completely dissociated in aquatic systems.

Is Ongoing Sulfluramid Use in South America a Significant Source of Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS)? Production Inventories, Environmental Fate, and Local Occurrence

Despite international phase-out initiatives, production and use of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and related substances continues in some countries. In Brazil, the PFOS-precursor N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA) is used in Sulfluramid, a pesticide for controlling leaf-cutting ants. New data on production, environmental fate, and occurrence of Brazilian Sulfluramid are reported herein. From 2003 to 2013, Brazilian Sulfluramid manufacturing increased from 30 to 60 tonnes yr(-1) EtFOSA. During this time <1.3 tonnes yr(-1) were imported, while exports increased from ∼0.3 to 2 tonnes yr(-1). From 2004 to 2015, most EtFOSA was exported to Argentina (7.2 tonnes), Colombia (2.07 tonnes), Costa Rica (1.13 tonnes), Equador (2.16 tonnes), and Venezuela (2.4 tonnes). Within Brazil, sales occurred primarily in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Espírito Santo, and Bahia. Model simulations predict EtFOSA will partition to soils, while transformation products perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and PFOS are sufficiently mobile to leach into surface waters. In support of these predictions, up to 3400 pg L(-1) of FOSA and up to 1100 pg L(-1) of PFOS were measured in Brazilian surface water, while EtFOSA was not detected. The high FOSA/PFOS ratio observed here (up to 14:1) is unprecedented in the scientific literature to our knowledge. Depending on the extent of conversion of EtFOSA, cumulative Brazilian Sulfluramid production and import from 2004 to 2015 may contribute between 167 and 487 tonnes of PFOS/FOSA to the environment. These levels are clearly nontrivial and of concern since production is continuing unabated.

The aqueous solubility of some herbicidal by-side toxic impurities: predicted data of the 399 chlorinated trans-azoxybenzene congeners

The quantitative structure - property relationship (QSPR) and the artificial neural networks (ANNs) methods were used to estimate aqueous solubility (log S and μg/L) of polychlorinated trans-azoxybenzenes (PCt-ABs). These QSPR and ANN models are based on geometry optimalization and quantum-chemical structural descriptors, which were computed on the level of density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP functional and 6-311++G** basis set in Gaussian 03 software and the semi-empirical quantum chemistry method for property parameterization (RM1) in the molecular orbital package (MOPAC) software. The predicted solubility of PCt-AOBs by RM1 and DFT models and depending on a congener varied within a homologue class between 47-19498 and 371-1738 μg/L for Mono-; 33-11481 and 7.9-3630 μg/L for Di-; 6.1-4786 and 4.7-12882 μg/L for Tri-; 1.3-1174 and 0.3-14791 μg/L for Tetra-; 0.4-646 and 0.1-38904 μg/L for Penta-; 0.1-155 and 0.2-63096 μg/L for Hexa-; 0.2-27 and 0.1-646 μg/L for Hepta-; < 0.1-6.2 and 0.8-282 μg/L for Octa-; 0.6-2.6 and 0.8-12 μg/L for NonaCt-AOBs; and 1.2 and 0.5 μg/L for DecaCt-AOB, respectively. Both computational models used were characterized by good predictive abilities and small errors, while calculations by RM1 method were highly competitive compared to a much more time-consuming and expensive method by DFT.

Use of quantitative-structure property relationship (QSPR) and artificial neural network (ANN) based approaches for estimating the octanol-water partition coefficients of the 209 chlorinated trans-azobenzene congeners

Polychlorinated azobenzenes (PCABs) can be found as contaminant by products in 3,4-dichloroaniline and its derivatives and in the herbicides Diuron, Linuron, Methazole, Neburon, Propanil and SWEP. Trans congeners of PCABs are physically and chemically more stable and so are environmentally relevant, when compared to unstable cis congeners. In this study, to fulfill gaps on environmentally relevant partitioning properties of PCABs, the values of n-octanol/water partition coefficients (log K(OW)) have been determined for 209 congeners of chloro-trans-azobenzene (Ct-AB) by means of quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) approach and artificial neural networks (ANN) predictive ability. The QSPR methods used based on geometry optimalization and quantum-chemical structural descriptors, which were computed on the level of density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP functional and 6-311++G basis set in Gaussian 03 and of the semi-empirical quantum chemistry method (PM6) of the molecular orbital package (MOPAC). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), -furans (PCDFs) and -biphenyls (PCBs), to which PCABs are related, were reference compounds in this study. An experimentally obtained data on physical and chemical properties of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were reference data for ANN predictions of log K(OW) values of Ct-ABs in this study. Both calculation methods gave similar results in term of absolute log K(OW) values, while the models generated by PM6 are considered highly efficient in time spent, when compared to these by DFT. The estimated log K(OW) values of 209 Ct-ABs varied between 5.22-5.57 and 5.45-5.60 for Mono-, 5.56-6.00 and 5.59-6.07 for Di-, 5.89-6.56 and 5.91-6.46 for Tri-, 6.10-7.05 and 6.13-6.80 for Tetra-, 6.43-7.39 and 6.48-7.14 for Penta-, 6.61-7.78 and 6.98-7.42 for Hexa-, 7.41-7.94 and 7.34-7.86 for Hepta-, 7.99-8.17 and 7.72-8.20 for Octa-, 8.35-8.42 and 8.10-8.62 for NonaCt-ABs, and 8.52-8.60 and 8.81-8.83 for DecaCt-AB. These log K(OW) values shows that Ct-ABs are compounds of relatively low environmental mobility (log K(OW) > 4.5) and of significant bioaccumulation potential.

Prediction of subcooled vapor pressures (log PL) of 399 polychlorinated trans-azoxybenzenes by using the QSPR and ANN approach

Environmentally relevant partitioning properties such as the sub-cooled vapor pressures (log PL) have been predicted for 399 congeners of chloro-trans-azoxybenzene (C-t-AOBs) by two computational methods. The quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR), an approach which is based on geometry optimalization and quantum-chemical structural descriptors in RM1 and DFT methods and artificial neural networks (ANNs), an approach that predicts abilities that give similar results of estimated log P(L) and the accuracy of the methods was also similar. The RM1 method was less time consuming and less costly compared to calculations by the DFT method. Estimated from the RM1 and DFT methods of log P(L) values of 399 Ct-AOBs varied between -1.98 to -0.93 and -1.83 to -0.79 for Mono-, 3.12 to -1.46 and -3.00 to -1.46 for Di-, -4.03 to -1.39 and -3.53 to -1.67 for Tri-, -4.75 to -2.33 and -4.59 to -1.91 for Tetra-, -5.37 to -2.59 and -5.42 to -2.09 for Penta-, -5.82 to -2.88 and -5.66 to -2.58 for Hexa-, -5.88 to -3.24 and -5.60 to -2.93 for Hepta-, -6.28 to -4.33 and -5.60 to -4.29 for Octa-, -6.54 to -5.28 and -5.66 to -4.93 for NonaCt-AOBs, and -6.59 and -5.61 for DecaCt-AOB. According to a common classification of environmental contaminants and by sub-cooled vapor pressure values, MonoCt-AOBs and a few of the Di- and TriCt-AOBs (log P(L)from -2 to 0) fall into the group of compounds that are relatively well mobile in the ambient environment, while most of the Di- to HeptaCt-AOBs (log P(L) < -4 to -2) mobility is relatively weak. Octa- and NonaCt-AOBs and DecaCt-AOB (log P(L) < -4) are also weak mobile contaminants.

QSPR models for prediction of the soil sorption coefficient (log KOC) values of 209 polychlorinated trans-azobenzenes (PCt-ABs)

The values of the soil sorption coefficient (K(OC)) have been computed for 209 environmentally relevant trans polychlorinated azobenzenes (PCABs) lacking experimental partitioning data. The quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) approach and artificial neural networks (ANN) predictive ability used in models based on geometry optimalization and quantum-chemical structural descriptors, which were computed on the level of density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP functional and 6-311++G** basis set and of the semi-empirical quantum chemistry method for property parameterization (PM6) of the molecular orbital package (MOPAC). An experimentally available data on physical and chemical properties of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were used as reference data for the QSPR models and ANNs predictions in this study. Both calculation methods gave similar results in term of absolute log K(OC) values, while the PM6 model generated in the MOPAC was a much more efficient compared to the DFT model in GAUSSIAN. The estimated values of log K(OC) varied between 4.93 and 5.62 for mono-, 5.27 and 7.46 for di-, 6.46 and 8.09 for tri-, 6.65 and 9.11 for tetra-, 6.75 and 9.68 for penta-, 6.44 and 10.24 for hexa-, 7.00 and 10.36 for hepta-, 7.09 and 9.82 octa-, 8.94 and 9.71 for nona-Ct-ABs, and 9.26 and 9.34 for deca-Ct-AB. Because of high log K(OC) values PCt-ABs could be classified as compounds with high affinity to the particles of soil, sediments and organic matter.

QSAR and ANN for the estimation of water solubility of 209 polychlorinated trans-azobenzenes

Polychlorinated trans-azobenzenes (PCt-ABs) are less studied a highly toxic impurity in 2,3-dichloroaniline (2,3-D) and some herbicides and are compounds of environmental relevance lacking experimental physical and chemical properties data. In this study, to fulfill gaps on environmentally relevant partitioning properties of PCABs, the values of water solubility (μg/L and log S) have been determined for 209 congeners of chloro-trans-azobenzene (Ct-AB) by means of quantitative structure - property relationship (QSPR) approach and artificial neural networks (ANN) predictive ability. The quantitative structure - property relationship (QSPR) approach used based on geometry optimalization and quantum-chemical structural descriptors, which were computed on the level of density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP functional and 6-311++G** basis set in Gaussian 03 and the semi-empirical quantum chemistry method for property parameterization (PM6) in the molecular orbital package (MOPAC) software. The predicted solubility of PCt-ABs by PM6 and DFT models and depending on a congener within a homologue class varied between 1995-11481 and 5370-15135 μg/L for mono-; 170-5495 and 138-9332 μg/L for di-; 36-1950 and 209-5248 μg/L for tri-; 15-794 and 41-3715 μg/L for tetra-; 5.5-209 and 39-1259 μg/L for penta-; 1.8-98 and 3.5-1096 μg/L for hexa-; 1.5-34 and 4.7-214 μg/L for hepta-; 0.71-6.2 and 0.76-26 μg/L for octa-; 0.83-1.7 and 0.69-1.2 μg/L for nonaCt-ABs; and between 0.36 and 0.04 μg/L for decaCt-AB, respectively. The calculations by PM6 were highly efficient and inexpensive compared to these by DFT, while both models gave data of similar accuracy.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: terminology, classification, and origins

The primary aim of this article is to provide an overview of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) detected in the environment, wildlife, and humans, and recommend clear, specific, and descriptive terminology, names, and acronyms for PFASs. The overarching objective is to unify and harmonize communication on PFASs by offering terminology for use by the global scientific, regulatory, and industrial communities. A particular emphasis is placed on long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids, substances related to the long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids, and substances intended as alternatives to the use of the long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids or their precursors. First, we define PFASs, classify them into various families, and recommend a pragmatic set of common names and acronyms for both the families and their individual members. Terminology related to fluorinated polymers is an important aspect of our classification. Second, we provide a brief description of the 2 main production processes, electrochemical fluorination and telomerization, used for introducing perfluoroalkyl moieties into organic compounds, and we specify the types of byproducts (isomers and homologues) likely to arise in these processes. Third, we show how the principal families of PFASs are interrelated as industrial, environmental, or metabolic precursors or transformation products of one another. We pay particular attention to those PFASs that have the potential to be converted, by abiotic or biotic environmental processes or by human metabolism, into long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic or sulfonic acids, which are currently the focus of regulatory action. The Supplemental Data lists 42 families and subfamilies of PFASs and 268 selected individual compounds, providing recommended names and acronyms, and structural formulas, as well as Chemical Abstracts Service registry numbers.

N-octanol-water partition coefficients (log K(OW)) of 399 congeners of polychlorinated azoxybenzenes (PCAOBs) determined by QSPR- and ANN-based approach

Polychlorinated azoxybenzenes (PCAOBs) theoretically consist of 798 congeners with 399 in cis and 399 in trans configuration. PCAOBs in trans configuration are largerly planar compounds and some are highly toxic and environmentally relevant compared to cis congeners. Trans-PCAOBs can be found as by-side products in 3,4-dichloroaniline and some herbicides. To fulfill gaps in physical and chemical properties of PCAOBs, the values of log K(OW) were determined for 399 congeners of t-CAOB using a computational approach. We used the semi-empirical RM1 in MOPAC and DFT B3LYP in Gaussian 03 methods, artificial neural net (ANN) predictions, and the standardized variables with and without the normal varimax rotation. The models created predicted the values of log K(OW) of all 399 chlorinated derivatives of trans-azoxybenzenes (C-t-AOBs). The values of log K(OW) of C-t-AOBs varied between 5.08 and 5.42 for Mono-, 5.16 and 5.96 for Di-, 5.79 and 6.73 for Tri-, 6.26 and 7.18 for Tetra-, 6.65 and 7.54 for Penta-, 7.13 and 7.94 for Hexa-, 7.20 and 8.20 for Hepta-, 7.96 and 8.32 for Octa-, 8.32 and 8.43 for Nonachloro-t-AOBs and 8.55 and 8.97 for Decachloro-t-AOB. These log K(OW) values were similar per chloro-t-AOB congener and independent of the calculation method. C-t-AOBs have log K(OW) values above 4.5, and what relates to contaminants of low or very low environmentally mobility but a high predilection to the soil and sediment particles and with potential for bioaccumulation. The models that used the standardized variables had smallest errors and higher correlation coefficients compared to the models that based on the normal varimax rotation of standardized structural descriptors. In light of these data, the semi-empirical RM1 calculations in MOPAC software and followed by ANN were a much less time consuming and less expensive compared to the DFT B3LYP method.

pK(a) values of the monohydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (OH-PBBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PCDEs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs)

The SPARC software program aqueous pK(a) prediction module was validated against corresponding experimental acidity constants for chlorinated and brominated phenols and the limited experimental aqueous pK(a) data sets for monohydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PCDEs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs). pK(a) values were then estimated for all 837 monohydroxylated mono- through nona-halogenated congeners in each of the OH-PCB, OH-PCDE, and OH-PBDE classes, as well as for the monohydroxylated polybrominated biphenyls (OH-PBBs), giving a total of 3348 compounds. Large intrahomolog pK(a) variation by up to six units is expected within each contaminant class, with pK(a) values ranging from about 4 to 11 dependent on the degree and pattern of halogenation. Increasing halogenation generally decreased the average pK(a) within each homolog group. Significant intrahomolog differences in pK(a) values exist between OH-PCB, OH-PBB, OH-PCDE, and OH-PBDE congeners, including large acidity constant variation between isomers with equivalent halogenation patterns but varying location of the hydroxy moiety. Congener specific pH dependent investigations into the partitioning and degradation behaviors of these compounds are necessary, including greater consideration of analyte ionization effects during their extraction and analysis.