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Ways to improve understanding of PFAS contamination - A case study within a waste management facility
Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. (Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre)ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9549-8478
Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. (Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6330-789X
Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. (Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre)ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6800-5658
2024 (English)In: Environmental Pollution, ISSN 0269-7491, E-ISSN 1873-6424, Vol. 356, article id 124352Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Waste management facilities are a known source for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment. In this study, water samples from seven subsections within a waste management facility in Sweden were analyzed for PFAS and extractable organofluorine (EOF). Oxidative conversion was used to investigate how much PFAS precursors could contribute to the EOF. Out of the 23 analyzed PFAS, ten compounds accounted for a major proportion of the concentrations. Before oxidative conversion the ∑10PFAS were between 0.44 μg/L and 17 μg/L. The EOF ranged from 2 μg/L F up to 79 μg/L F. There was a greater difference in concentrations and profiles between the subsections in comparison to the four sampling dates at respective sampling point, suggesting different sources of PFAS from the waste. Oxidative conversion revealed presence of precursors by elevated concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids after oxidation, which increased the explained EOF up to 25%. Seven samples from one sampling date were selected to investigate if other fluorinated compounds (inorganic anions, ultra-short-chain PFAS, and zwitterions) could be a part of the unexplained EOF fraction. The contribution of fluorine from tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate were equal or higher proportions than the ∑10PFAS. The presence of the ionic liquids tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate could originate from battery waste, due to their use as counter ions in batteries. Ultra-short-chain PFAS increased the explained EOF by an average of 8%, with trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoromethane sulfonic acid being the main contributors. However, the reported concentrations of ultra-short-chain PFAS, were underestimated due to low recovery by the additional washing step to remove inorganic fluoride for EOF analysis. The concentrations of zwitterions were low and increased the explained EOF by < 1%. Our results suggest that EOF, selected PFAS, oxidative conversion and anionic fluorinated substances give a better picture of PFAS contamination.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2024. Vol. 356, article id 124352
Keywords [en]
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, TOP-A, Total oxidizable precursor assay, Unexplained fluorine, WMF
National Category
Environmental Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-114251DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124352ISI: 001259864600001PubMedID: 38871169Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85195828894OAI: oai:DiVA.org:oru-114251DiVA, id: diva2:1871174
Funder
Knowledge Foundation, 20190105; 20160019Available from: 2024-06-17 Created: 2024-06-17 Last updated: 2024-10-09Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Sustainable approaches for remediation of PFAS contaminated water and generated waste handling: Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Sustainable approaches for remediation of PFAS contaminated water and generated waste handling: Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
2024 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals with a widespread environmental occurrence around the globe. This group of compounds has been associated with negative effects on human health and the environment. A recent estimation on the number of PFAS using the revised PFAS definition from the OECD in 2021 reached over 7 million compounds in the PubChem database. PFAS monitoring usually aims towards a small number of compounds in comparison to the potential total number of PFAS. In this thesis, target analysis for short- and long-chain PFAS, extractable organofluorine (EOF) analysis, target analysis after oxidative conversion was performed for a comprehensive assessment of PFAS in drainage water from different sections within a waste management facility. Other, not as common fluorinated compounds were also analyzed. For water remediation purposes, the ability to reduce PFAS concentrations using pine and spruce barks was also assessed. The drainage water contained PFAS in the magnitude of low μg/L with minor contribution from precursor compounds. Interestingly, the inorganic fluoride anions tetrafluoroborate (BF4) and hexafluorophosphate (PF6) were detected. The composition of 50% pine and 50% spruce demonstrated the greatest ability to remove PFAS with 100 μg/kg sorbent. Addition of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) was not observed to be beneficial when the bark material was thermally treated.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Örebro: Örebro University, 2024. p. 59
Series
Örebro Studies in Chemistry, ISSN 1651-4270 ; 31
Keywords
extractable organofluorine compounds, oxidative conversion, PFAS, remediation, sampling, sorption, thermal treatment, tree bark, wastewater
National Category
Other Chemistry Topics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-116468 (URN)9789175295800 (ISBN)9789175295817 (ISBN)
Public defence
2024-11-01, Örebro universitet, Forumhuset, Hörsal F, Fakultetsgatan 1, Örebro, 13:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2024-10-03 Created: 2024-10-03 Last updated: 2024-10-25Bibliographically approved

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Pettersson, MioEricson Jogsten, IngridYeung, Leo W. Y.

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