Article
Environmental Sciences
Dauren Mussabek, Anna Soderman, Tomomi Imura, Kenneth M. Persson, Kei Nakagawa, Lutz Ahrens, Ronny Berndtsson
Summary: Groundwater contamination caused by the use of AFFF containing PFAS was investigated in southern Sweden. PFAS concentrations ranged from 20 to 20,000 ng L-1, with PFOS and PFHxS being the most prominent compounds. PFAS chain length was found to affect the distribution and transport in groundwater. PFAS-AFFF use during fire-training and equipment tests was identified as a contributor to PFAS contamination, with estimated emission amounts varying based on the number of training sessions per year.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mahsa Modiri Gharehveran, Alexandria M. Walus, Todd A. Anderson, Seenivasan Subbiah, Jennifer Guelfo, Matthew Frigon, Anna Longwell, Jamie G. Suski
Summary: Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have historically been used in fire-suppression activities, but due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity, investigations into alternative PFAS-free AFFF formulations have been conducted. This study aimed to characterize the constituents and assess the biodegradability of PFAS-free AFFF, providing valuable information for the development of more biodegradable alternatives.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mattias Sorengard, Sofia Bergstrom, Philip McCleaf, Karin Wiberg, Lutz Ahrens
Summary: This study investigated the transport and distribution of PFAS in an urban groundwater aquifer affected by PFAS contamination. The military training site was identified as the main source of PFAS contamination in drinking water extraction areas. Transport variations and dilution from adjacent aquifers were found to impact PFAS concentrations in the groundwater.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johnsie R. Lang, Jeffery McDonough, T. C. Guillette, Peter Storch, John Anderson, David Liles, Robert Prigge, Jonathan A. L. Miles, Craig Divine
Summary: Fire suppression systems can be impacted by residual PFASs, which can affect their performance, especially during the transition to fluorine free foam. More research is needed to understand the residual PFASs associated with the surfaces of fire suppression systems and develop effective methods for their removal.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Md Al Amin, Yunlong Luo, Annette Nolan, Fiona Robinson, Junfeng Niu, Scott Warner, Yanju Liu, Raja Dharmarajan, Megharaj Mallavarapu, Ravi Naidu, Cheng Fang
Summary: The TOP assay can degrade and convert unknown PFAS to detectable forms, with tests conducted on known compounds and PFAS precursors to understand the degradation pathway and effectiveness. The results indicate the assay's efficacy in assessing the presence of PFAS precursors in AFFF samples, with some variations in end products. Recommendations for enhancing the assay are also provided.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Md. Al Amin, Yunlong Luo, Feng Shi, Linbo Yu, Yanju Liu, Annette Nolan, Olalekan Simon Awoyemi, Mallavarapu Megharaj, Ravi Naidu, Cheng Fang
Summary: This study modified the Total Oxidable Precursor (TOP) assay to improve oxidation and conversion efficiency by adjusting the initial concentration of the target sample, increasing oxidising doses, time, temperature, etc. The modified TOP assay was used to test aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) and a PFAS-contaminated soil extract, resulting in a significant increase in the sum concentrations of detectable PFASs. Detectable fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) was used as an oxidation indicator to monitor the progress of oxidation and conversion from precursor PFASs to detectable PFASs.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Feng Xiao, Pavankumar Challa Sasi, Ali Alinezhad, Svetlana A. Golovko, Mikhail Y. Golovko, Anthony Spoto
Summary: This study investigated the thermal decomposition mechanisms of various polyfluoroalkyl substances, revealing the formation of perfluoroalkyl compounds and different decomposition pathways. It also demonstrated the generation of anionic fluoroalkyl substances from AFFF samples through low-temperature thermal treatments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bridger J. Ruyle, Lara Schultes, Denise M. Akob, Cassandra R. Harris, Michelle M. Lorah, Simon Vojta, Jitka Becanova, Shelley McCann, Heidi M. Pickard, Ann Pearson, Rainer Lohmann, Chad D. Vecitis, Elsie M. Sunderland
Summary: Drinking water supplies in the US have been contaminated by PFAS in AFFF used in firefighting and fire-training activities. The C6 precursors in 3M AFFF can be transformed into PFHxS through microbial oxidation. This study provides evidence of the biotransformation of C6 sulfonamido precursors in representative microcosms, highlighting the role of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Understanding the interrelationship between precursor biotransformation and nitrogen cycling can inform site remediation efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bridger J. Ruyle, Lara Schultes, Denise M. Akob, Cassandra R. Harris, Michelle M. Lorah, Simon Vojta, Jitka Becanova, Shelley McCann, Heidi M. Pickard, Ann Pearson, Rainer Lohmann, Chad D. Vecitis, Elsie M. Sunderland
Summary: Drinking water supplies in the US have been contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foams produced by 3M, which consist of C6 precursors. These precursors can be transformed through nitrification into PFHxS, a compound of regulatory concern. The study demonstrates the slow biotransformation of C6 precursors into PFHxS in microcosms, with the involvement of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Further understanding of the relationship between precursor biotransformation and nitrogen cycling would aid in site remediation efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marzieh Shojaei, Naveen Kumar, Jennifer L. Guelfo
Summary: This study evaluated AFFF and AFFF-impacted soils using two soil extraction methods, TOP assay, and SQ analysis. The results suggest that routine application of an acid extraction step in PFAS-impacted soils does not provide advantages. Suspect screening analysis of post-TOP samples identified eight classes of PFAS, some of which may have persistence in the environment and require more routine monitoring.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Thomas Buckley, Kavitha Karanam, Xiaoyong Xu, Pradeep Shukla, Mahshid Firouzi, Victor Rudolph
Summary: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are difficult to degrade compounds widely used in consumer products. Foam fractionation is a potential remediation technology for PFAS contaminated water. This study evaluated the effect of co-foaming agents and salts on the performance of foam fractionation, showing that higher charge density of cations leads to better separation of PFAS.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunlong Luo, Ashkan Khoshyan, Md Al Amin, Annette Nolan, Fiona Robinson, Jim Fenstermacher, Junfeng Niu, Mallavarapu Megharaj, Ravi Naidu, Cheng Fang
Summary: In this study, a hybrid system combining electrochemical treatment with ultrasound irradiation is proposed for enhanced degradation of PFAS. The electrochemical process using a titanium suboxide anode effectively removes PFOA, and when combined with ultrasound irradiation, achieves 100% PFOA removal and 63.5% defluorination, indicating synergistic removal/oxidation effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Heidi M. Pickard, Bridger J. Ruyle, Colin P. Thackray, Adela Chovancova, Clifton Dassuncao, Jitka Becanova, Simon Vojta, Rainer Lohmann, Elsie M. Sunderland
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals widely used in modern commerce. This study focused on the bioaccumulation of PFAS precursors in recreational fish species collected from surface waters in New Hampshire. The results showed that many precursors have a higher bioaccumulation potential than their terminal PFAS, highlighting the need to consider these precursors in risk evaluations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fuhar Dixit, Gabriel Munoz, Mahboubeh Mirzaei, Benoit Barbeau, Jinxia Liu, Sung Vo Duy, Sebastien Sauve, Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian, Madjid Mohseni
Summary: This study investigated the removal of selectfluorotelomer zwitterionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from natural waters using various resins and Ti3C2MXenes. The results showed that Ti3C2MXenes had the highest removal efficiency and could capture over 75% of the influent zwitterionic PFAS. Ti3C2MXenes also exhibited efficient regeneration and UV-sulfite systems showed promising potential for the treatment of zwitterionic PFAS concentrates.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamed Ateia, Dora Chiang, Michaela Cashman, Carolyn Acheson
Summary: The comprehensive characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is crucial for assessing and managing risk at contaminated sites. However, current analytical methods only measure specific PFASs, leaving out the potential thousands of PFASs used in commercial products and released into the environment. The total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay offers a way to bridge this gap by converting unknown PFAS precursors into stable PFASs, but its application beyond academia is limited.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Farhad Jalili, Hana Trigui, Juan Francisco Guerra Maldonado, Sarah Dorner, Arash Zamyadi, B. Jesse Shapiro, Yves Terrat, Nathalie Fortin, Sebastien Sauve, Michele Prevost
Summary: The impact of oxidation on mitigating cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in drinking water treatment sludge was studied. Results showed that KMnO4 and H2O2 reduced cell counts and cyanotoxin levels, but stagnation promoted cell growth. These findings suggest that alternative approaches should be considered for managing cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in sludge.
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. D. Metcalfe, S. Bayen, M. Desrosiers, G. Munoz, S. Sauve, V Yargeau
Summary: Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a diverse group of chemicals that require sensitive and varied analytical methods to monitor their presence in the environment. Only environmental matrixes with a clear link to endocrine effects are included, and emerging methods and advanced instruments for sample preparation are also discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fuhar Dixit, Gabriel Munoz, Mahboubeh Mirzaei, Benoit Barbeau, Jinxia Liu, Sung Vo Duy, Sebastien Sauve, Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian, Madjid Mohseni
Summary: This study investigated the removal of selectfluorotelomer zwitterionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from natural waters using various resins and Ti3C2MXenes. The results showed that Ti3C2MXenes had the highest removal efficiency and could capture over 75% of the influent zwitterionic PFAS. Ti3C2MXenes also exhibited efficient regeneration and UV-sulfite systems showed promising potential for the treatment of zwitterionic PFAS concentrates.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Youn Jeong Choi, Damian E. Helbling, Jinxia Liu, Christopher Olivares, Christopher P. Higgins
Summary: This review examines the microbial biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances derived from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). The analysis reveals that there is more knowledge about the aerobic microbial biotransformation of these substances compared to anaerobic biotransformation. Dealkylation, oxidation, and hydrolytic reactions are found to be important for the microbial biotransformation of AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl substances. The review also discusses knowledge gaps and opportunities for further research.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ken Goeury, Sung Vo Duy, Gabriel Munoz, Michele Prevost, Sebastien Sauve
Summary: This study evaluated the suitability of automated off-line solid phase extraction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of EPA-priority endocrine-disrupting compounds in environmental water matrixes. Factors that may influence the analytical performance were assessed, and various materials and protocol variations were tested. The method showed acceptable extraction efficiencies and reliable limits of detection for the target compounds in different water samples. Method validation confirmed the accuracy and precision of the method through linearity, accuracy, and precision tests in reagent water and matrix-matched extracted calibrants.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bei Yan, Jinxia Liu
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate the potential of designing clay-based materials with enhanced adsorption affinity for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by incorporating fluorinated intercalants. The incorporation of fluorine atoms leads to the formation of a hydrophobic and fluorophilic cavity structure, which significantly improves the adsorption capacity for targeted PFAS. This work provides insights into the fundamental physics and chemistry of PFAS adsorption and suggests a new strategy for PFAS removal.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Robert G. Mothersole, Foster T. Wynne, Gaia Rota, Mina K. Mothersole, Jinxia Liu, Jonathan D. Van Hamme
Summary: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals that are widely used, but some have been shown to have negative impacts on human health and the environment. The fate of PFAS in the environment is influenced by physical, chemical, and biological processes, with microbial communities known to generate low-molecular-weight PFAS metabolites. This study confirms the ability of acyl-CoA synthetase to catalyze the formation of PFAS-CoA adducts, providing evidence for enzymatic pathways in microbial PFAS metabolism.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastien Sauve, Benoit Barbeau, Maryse F. Bouchard, Marc-Andre Verner, Jinxia Liu
Summary: Water quality regulations for PFAS are in turmoil due to toxicological evidence of human health effects. Countries have different approaches to regulate PFAS in drinking water, focusing on specific targets or larger groups of PFAS compounds. This poses regulatory challenges and may result in incoherent regulations across jurisdictions. It is important to ensure coherent regulations and balanced remediation approaches to reduce overall exposure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Termeh Teymoorian, Gabriel Munoz, Sung Vo Duy, Jinxia Liu, Sebastien Sauve
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in various industrial applications are pollutants of concern for the environment and human health. This study reviews the analytical methods used for the detection and quantification of PFAS in drinking water, discussing the challenges and pitfalls encountered in the process. The study also evaluates the performance of these methods and provides guidelines for health advisory levels of PFAS in tap water.
Letter
Engineering, Environmental
Jinxia Liu, Elizabeth Edwards, Jonathan Van Hamme, Mike Manefield, Christopher P. Higgins, Jens Blotevogel, Jinyong Liu, Linda S. Lee
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
R. Daghrir, N. Ouerd, L. M. Patterson-Fortin, J. Boutros, S. Vo Duy, S. Sauve, S. Sauve, M. W. Gaultois, R. Smith
Summary: This article introduces an advanced oxidation system (AOS) technology that can effectively remove pharmaceutical residues from municipal wastewater and promote mineralization. The results of the pilot-scale reactor experiments showed that the AOS technology, operating in continuous mode, can remove most of the common pharmaceuticals at a lower cost, making it a viable tertiary treatment method.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
