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Only a fraction of the total number of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are monitored on a routine basis using targeted chemical analyses. We report on an approach toward identifying bioactive substances in environmental samples using effect‐directed analysis by combining toxicity testing, targeted chemical analyses, and suspect screening. PFAS compete with the thyroid hormone thyroxin (T4) for binding to its distributor protein transthyretin (TTR). Therefore, a TTR‐binding bioassay was used to prioritize unknown features for chemical identification in a PFAS‐contaminated sediment sample collected downstream of a factory producing PFAS‐coated paper. First, the TTR‐binding potencies of 31 analytical PFAS standards were determined. Potencies varied between PFAS depending on carbon chain length, functional group, and, for precursors to perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA), the size or number of atoms in the group(s) attached to the nitrogen. The most potent PFAS were the seven‐ and eight‐carbon PFSA, perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and the eight‐carbon perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which showed approximately four‐ and five‐times weaker potencies, respectively, compared with the native ligand T4. For some of the other PFAS tested, TTR‐binding potencies were weak or not observed at all. For the environmental sediment sample, not all of the bioactivity observed in the TTR‐binding assay could be assigned to the PFAS quantified using targeted chemical analyses. Therefore, suspect screening was applied to the retention times corresponding to observed TTR binding, and five candidates were identified. Targeted analyses showed that the sediment was dominated by the di‐substituted phosphate ester of N‐ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido ethanol (SAmPAP diester), whereas it was not bioactive in the assay. SAmPAP diester has the potential for (bio)transformation into smaller PFAS, including PFOS. Therefore, when it comes to TTR binding, the hazard associated with this substance is likely through (bio)transformation into more potent transformation products. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:245–258. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are contaminants of emerging concern, yet the understanding of factors that control their leaching and release from contaminated soils remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on the release of PFASs—specifically, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)from soils contaminated by aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). Batch aqueous leaching experiments were conducted on AFFF-contaminated soils under alkaline solution conditions (pH 9.5, 10.5, and 12) as it enhances leaching of both PFAS and DOC. Leaching of PFOS was significantly increased under alkaline conditions. Although the leaching of PFAS generally increased with pH, PFOS appeared to be more retained under the very alkaline pH conditions used in this study. At the same solution pH, leaching of PFOS and DOC was less in Ca(OH) 2 than in NaOH. The retention of PFOS under these conditions may be attributable to the shielding of the negative charge of the soil components and colloids (e.g., DOC and clay minerals) in the leachates and/or the screening of negative charges on head groups of PFOS due to the high concentration of divalent cations. Solution chemistry affected desorption of PFOS more than PFHxS and PFOA. The study highlights that the influence of DOC on PFAS leaching and transport can be very complex, and depends on leachate chemistry (e.g., pH and cation type), PFAS chemistry, the magnitude of PFAS contamination and factors that influence the solid:liquid partitioning of organic carbon in soil. [Display omitted] • DOC affects PFAS leaching; impact varies with PFAS concentration & leachate chemistry. • Effect of DOC and solution chemistry on PFAS leaching is more pronounced for PFOS. • Increasing cation concentrations reduces PFAS mobility in environments at high pH. • Cations can decrease the leaching of PFAS at high pH via charge screening. • DOC has a small effect on PFOS desorption from highly contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bench-scale experiments were performed to evaluate poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) desorption from vadose zone soils collected at a site historically impacted with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). A sequential dilution batch method was employed to obtain PFAS desorption isotherms from a shallow surface soil [0.03 to 0.9 m below ground surface (bgs)] and from a deep soil (0.9–2.4 m bgs). Results showed that the desorption isotherms were reasonably described by a linear model, and that a fraction of the soil-bound PFAS mass was not readily desorbed (or, non-labile); the recalcitrance of this non-labile fraction was evaluated on a subset of samples and shown to persist for up to 9 months. The non-labile fraction of PFAS mass sorbed to the soil (non-labile PFAS sorbed mass divided by the total PFAS sorbed mass) ranged from 0.17 g g−1 for perfluorohexane sulfonamide in the deep soil to 0.87 g g−1 for 8∶2 fluorotelomer sulfonate in the shallow soil, and generally increased with the PFAS organic carbon:water partitioning coefficient (Koc). The fraction of the PFAS within the non-labile fraction was generally greater in the shallow soil than in the deep soil, likely due to the elevated organic carbon content of the shallow soil. The slopes of the desorption isotherms associated with the readily-desorbable (labile) PFAS fraction for the shallow soil were within the ranges predicted by Koc -based models derived from adsorption data. Overall, results for the soils studied herein suggest that much of the PFAS mass present in the soil likely is not readily available for leaching into infiltrating waters. Such information could provide useful insight for developing PFAS soil cleanup standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are compounds manufactured for use in paints, cleaning agents, fire suppressants, nonstick cookware, food containers, and water‐resistant products. Concerns about PFAS stem from their ubiquitous presence in the environment, persistence, and variable/uncertain bioaccumulation and toxicity. In the present study, 5 perfluoroalkyl acids and one polyfluoroalkyl substance were administered to white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) to elucidate the kinetics of each chemical over 28 d of exposure. Perfluorooctanoate, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorobutane sulfonate were administered to male and female mice via drinking water. Perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorononanoate, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, and PFHxS were administered to male and female mice via oral gavage. Blood samples collected after 14 or 21 and 28 d of exposure were analyzed for individual PFAS concentrations via liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. In general, a plateau in serum concentration in this toxicity test–relevant timeline depended on interactions between 1) the type of PFAS (i.e., perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids [PFSAs] vs perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids [PFCAs] vs polyfluorinated), 2) continuous versus bolus dosing, and 3) to a lesser extent, sex. Specifically, PFCAs were detected at higher concentration in females than males, whereas PFSAs were generally detected at similar levels across sex. An exception occurred when PFHxS yielded higher serum levels in males than females through bolus, but not continuous, dosing. Type of PFAS had the largest impact on serum concentrations, whereas sex had the lowest. As such, future work on the toxicokinetics of PFAS in common ecological receptors would be valuable to further explore these patterns. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2886–2898. © 2021 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a two-day workshop held by about 50 international scientists and regulators in November 2017 to address the problem presented by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). It mentions several approaches conducted by the group in response to the issue of PFASs including identification of common goals and respective needs of the community, development of recommendations for cooperative actions, and assessment and management of PFASs.

Abstract: The near ubiquitous presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in humans has raised concerns about potential human health effects from these chemicals, some of which are both extremely persistent and bioaccumulative. Because some of these chemicals are highly water soluble, one major pathway for human exposure is the consumption of contaminated drinking water. This study measured concentrations of PFASs in 18 raw drinking water sources and 2 treated wastewater effluents and evaluated 15 full-scale treatment systems for the attenuation of PFASs in water treatment utilities throughout the U.S. A liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry method was used to enable measurement of a suite of 23 PFASs, including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs). Despite the differences in reporting levels, the PFASs that were detected in >70% of the source water samples (n = 39) included PFSAs, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (74%), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (79%), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (84%), and PFCAs, perfluoropentanoic acid (74%), perfluorohexanoic acid (79%), perfluoroheptanoic acid (74%), and perfluorooctanoic acid (74%). More importantly, water treatment techniques such as ferric or alum coagulation, granular/micro-/ultra- filtration, aeration, oxidation (i.e., permanganate, ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide), and disinfection (i.e., ozonation, chlorine dioxide, chlorination, and chloramination) were mostly ineffective in removing PFASs. However, anion exchange and granular activated carbon treatment preferably removed longer-chain PFASs and the PFSAs compared to the PFCAs, and reverse osmosis demonstrated significant removal for all the PFASs, including the smallest PFAS, perfluorobutanoic acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitously detected all around the world. Herein, for the first time, concentrations of 16 selected legacy and emerging PFASs are reported for sediment and edible fish collected from the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. Mean concentrations varied from 0.57 to 2.6 μg kg−1 dry weight (dw) in sediment, 3.89–7.63 μg kg−1 dw in fish muscle, and 17.9–58.5 μg kg−1 dw in fish liver. Wastewater treatment plant effluents represented the main source of these compounds and contributed to the exposure of PFAS to biota. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most abundant compound in sediment and fish tissues analysed, comprising between 42 and 99% of the ∑ 16 PFAS. The short chain perfluorobutanoate (PFBA) was the second most dominant compound in sediment and was detected at a maximum concentration of 0.64 μg kg−1 dw. PFAS levels and patterns differed between tissues of investigated fish species. Across all fish species, ∑ 16 PFAS concentrations in liver were significantly higher than in muscle by a factor ranging from 3 to 7 depending on fish species and size. The PFOS replacements fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) exhibited a bioaccumulation potential in several fish species and 6:2 FTS, was detected at a maximum concentration of 7.1 ± 3.3 μg kg−1 dw in a doublespotted queenfish (Scomberoides lysan) liver. PFBS was detected at a maximum concentration of 2.65 μg kg−1 dw in strong spine silver-biddy (Gerres longirostris) liver. The calculated dietary intake of PFOS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) exceeded the safety threshold established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2020 in doublespotted queenfish muscle, indicating a potential health risk to humans consuming this fish in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. [Display omitted] • PFAS were quantified for the first time in sediment and fish from the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. • WWTP effluents represent the main local source of PFAS. • Despite phase out actions, PFOS was still the most predominant PFAS. • The short chain acid PFBA was also predominant in all sediments analysed. • The fluorotelomer sulfonate 6:2 FTS accumulated in most fish species investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 3000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are, or have been, on the global market, yet most research and regulation continues to focus on a limited selection of rather well-known long-chain PFASs, particularly perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and their precursors. Continuing to overlook the vast majority of other PFASs is a major concern for society. We provide recommendations for how to proceed with research and cooperation to tackle the vast number of PFASs on the market and in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) leaching from unsaturated soils impacted with aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) is an environmental challenge that remains difficult to measure and predict. Complicating measurements and predictions of this process is a lack of understanding between the PFAS concentrations measured in a collected environmental unsaturated soil sample, and the PFAS concentrations measured in the corresponding porewater using field-deployed lysimeters. The applicability of bench-scale batch testing to assess this relationship also remains uncertain. In this study, field-deployed porous cup suction lysimeters were used to measure PFAS porewater concentrations in unsaturated soils at 5 AFFF-impacted sites. Field-measured PFAS porewater concentrations were compared to those measured in porewater extracted in the laboratory from collected unsaturated soil cores, and from PFAS concentrations measured in the laboratory using batch soil slurries. Results showed that, despite several years since the last AFFF release at most of the test sites, precursors were abundant in 3 out of the 5 sites. Comparison of field lysimeter results to laboratory testing suggested that the local equilibrium assumption was valid for at least 3 of the sites and conditions of this study. Surprisingly, PFAS accumulation at the air-water interface was orders of magnitude less than expected at two of the test sites, suggesting potential gaps in the understanding of PFAS accumulation at the air-water interface at AFFF-impacted sites. Finally, results herein suggest that bench-scale testing on unsaturated soils can in some cases be used to inform on PFAS in situ porewater concentrations. • Precursors accounted for up to 70% of the quantifiable PFAS F mass in porewater. • The local equilibrium assumption was typically valid for PFAS in soil porewater. • At least one site showed substantial retention of PFAS at the air-water interface. • Bench-scale testing can inform on PFAS in situ porewater concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of aqueous film–forming foam (AFFF) for firefighting and firefighter training has led to extensive per– and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in the environment. Challenges remain in the analytical determination of PFASs via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), particularly when attempting to include ultrashort–chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and longer–chain anionic and zwitterionic PFASs in a single direct injection. In this study, we assessed the performance of three analytical LC columns (C18, JJ, and Acclaim columns) to separate targeted and suspect PFASs in AFFF–impacted water samples collected from five sites. The C18 column failed to retain ultrashort–chain PFAAs while the JJ and Acclaim columns were not suitable for hydrophobic PFASs. Ultrashort–chain PFAAs were detected at three sites and comprised 1.6–18% of the total perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids. Semi–quantified concentrations of suspect PFASs comprised 0.70–13% of the total PFASs. When attempting to capture the entirety of the PFAS mass in a water sample, the C18 column captured the broadest suite of suspect PFASs, while the JJ column quantified the most total PFAS mass. Results of this study highlight the importance and tradeoffs of LC column choice to comprehensively determine the composition of PFASs and their concentrations in AFFF–impacted water samples. [Display omitted] • The C18 column failed to retain ultrashort-chain PFAAs and the JJ and Acclaim columns were unsuitable for hydrophobic PFASs. • Ultrashort-chain PFAAs comprised 1.6-18% of total measured PFCAs and PFSAs at three sites. • Semi-quantified concentrations of suspect PFASs comprised 0.70-13% of the total PFASs. • The C18 column captured the broadest suite of suspect PFASs in AFFF-impacted water. • The JJ column quantified the most total PFAS mass in AFFF-impacted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective monitoring tools, including passive samplers, are essential for the wide range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic matrices. However, knowledge of the extent and mechanisms of PFASs sorption with sorbents in a passive sampling context is limited. To address this, sorption behavior of 45 anionic, neutral and zwitterionic PFASs ranging in perfluorocarbon chain length (C 3 -C 16) and functional groups with 11 different commercial sorbents (cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers, activated carbon, anion exchange (AE), cation exchange, hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) and non-polar) was investigated. A broad range of equilibrium sorbent-MilliQ water (MQ) distribution coefficients (K d) were observed (10−1.95 to 108.30 mL g−1). Similar sorbent types (e.g., various AE and HLB sorbents) exhibited very different sorption behavior, likely due to their different polymeric structures and relative importance of sorbate/sorbent interactions other than coulombic interactions. HLB and AE with hydroxyl functionalities are most effective for sampling of the full suite of PFASs. Reduced sorptive affinity was observed in the presence of matrix co-constituents in wastewater influent for most PFASs. HLB had the smallest reduction in log K d in wastewater suggesting that these sorbents are appropriate for applications in complex matrices. Sufficient sorbent capacity was observed for linear uptake of many target analytes which facilitates passive sampling. [Display omitted] • Sorption mechanisms explored for 45 PFASs (C3-C16) with 11 different commercial sorbents. • Reduced sorptive affinity was observed in the presence of matrix co-constituents in wastewater influent for most PFASs. • HLB sorbents were appropriate for applications in complex matrices, and relatively high affinity for zwitterionic PFASs. • Nominally similar sorbents such as weak anion exchange show different affinity to PFAS due to their polymer structure. • HLB and AX sorbents with hydroxyl functionalities are most effective for sampling of most of the PFAS investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One dimensional column experiments were conducted using saturated porous media containing residual trichloroethylene (TCE) to understand the effects of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) and chemical oxidation on perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) fate and transport. Observed retardation factors and data from supporting batch studies suggested that TCE provides additional sorption capacity that can increase PFAA retardation (i.e., decreased mobility), though the mechanisms remain unclear. Treatment with persulfate activated with FeCl 2 and citric acid, catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (CHP), or permanganate did not result in oxidative transformations of PFAAs. However, impacts on PFAA sorption were apparent, and enhanced sorption was substantial in the persulfate-treated columns. In contrast, PFAA transport was accelerated in permanganate- and CHP-treated columns. Ultimately, PFAA transport in NAPL contaminated groundwater is likely influenced by porous media properties, NAPL characteristics, and water quality properties, each of which can change due to chemical oxidant treatment. For contaminated sites for which ISCO is a viable treatment option, changes to PFAA transport and the implications thereof should be included as a component of the remediation evaluation and selection process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Single-use IX resins significantly outperform regenerable resins for PFAS removal. • >180,000 bed volumes treated before breakthrough of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. • Polystyrene resin >> polyacrylic; sorbent hydrophobicity crucial for adsorption. • Analyte-specific adsorption zones show competition among PFAS for exchange sites. • Breakthrough behavior correlates with batch-derived exchange coefficients. This study reports the results of an 8-month pilot study comparing both regenerable and emerging single-use anion exchange resins (AERs) for treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at a source zone impacted by historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Two regenerable (Purolite A860 and A520E) and three single-use (Purolite PFA694E, Calgon CalRes 2301, and Dowex PSR2+) AERs were tested in parallel, collecting effluent samples after treatment for 30-sec and 2-min total empty bed contact time (EBCT). Results demonstrate that single-use AERs significantly outperform regenerable resins, particularly for treatment of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs). No detectable concentrations of ≥C7 PFCAs or PFSAs were observed within 150,000 bed volumes (BVs) after treatment with the single-use resins (2-min EBCT). Analysis of effluent samples following 30-sec EBCT treatment shows that even the shortest-chain PFSAs do not reach 50% breakthrough within the first 350,000 BVs, though differences in removal of short-chain PFCAs was less dramatic. The regenerable polyacrylic A860 resin performed very poorly compared to all polystyrene resins, with >90% breakthrough of all PFASs occurring within 10,000 BVs. The greater affinity of polystyrene resins is attributed to increased hydrophobic interactions in addition to electrostatic ion exchange. Analysis of breakthrough profiles reveals empirical correlation with ion exchange affinity coefficients (log K ex) measured in batch experiments. Postmortem analysis of PFASs extracted from spent resins revealed chromatographic elution behavior and competition among PFASs for adsorption to the resins. PFSAs and long-chain PFCAs were preferentially adsorbed to earlier sections in the AER columns, whereas short-chain PFCAs were competitively displaced towards the later sections of the columns and into the effluent, consistent with effluent concentrations of the latter structures exceeding influent values. These results provide insights into the mechanisms that govern PFAS adsorption to AERs in real multisolute groundwater matrices and support findings from other diverse sites regarding PFAS affinity, elution behavior, and competition for exchange sites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field-deployed lysimeters were used to measure the concentrations of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in soil porewater at a site historically impacted with aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). Samples collected over a 49-day period showed that perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were the PFASs with the highest concentrations in porewater, with concentrations of approximately 10,000 and 25,000 ng L−1, respectively. The corresponding average mass flux to underlying groundwater observed for PFOS and PFHxS was 28,000 ± 11,000 and 92,000 ± 32,000 ng m−2 d−1, respectively. Employing the use of batch desorption isotherms (soil:water slurries) to determine desorption K d values resulted in an overestimation of PFAS porewater concentrations by a factor for 1.4 to 4. However, using the desorption K d values from the batch desorption isotherms in combination with a PFAS mass balance that incorporated PFAS sorption at the air-water interface resulted in improved predictions of the PFAS porewater concentrations. This improvement was most notable for PFOS, where inclusion of air-water interfacial sorption resulted in a 58% reduction in the predicted PFOS porewater concentration and predicted PFOS porewater concentrations that were identical (within the 95% confidence interval) to the lysimeter measured PFOS porewater concentration. Overall these results highlight the potentially important role of air-water interfacial sorption on PFAS migration in AFFF-impacted unsaturated soils in an in situ field setting. [Display omitted] • Total PFAS mass flux to groundwater was measured at 162 ± 54 μg m−2 d−1. • PFAS porewater concentrations were overpredicted based on soil desorption data. • Accounting for PFAS interfacial sorption improved predicted PFAS porewater concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread and persistent environmental contaminants. Exposure to several PFASs has been associated with altered immune function in humans, including autoimmune disease and impaired response to vaccination. However, changes to the profile of inflammatory biomarkers in adults exposed to PFASs has not been extensively described.Objective: To estimate cross-sectional associations between serum PFASs and markers of inflammation among adults in a population exposed to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-contaminated drinking water.Methods: We quantified concentrations of 48 PFASs in non-fasting serum samples from 212 non-smoking adults. In the same serum samples, we measured concentrations of ten pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. We restricted analysis to seven PFASs detected in >85% of participants and the following four cytokines detected in ≥30% of participants: interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α. We fit multiple linear regression or logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate associations between concentrations of each PFAS and either continuous or categorical (above vs below limit of detection) concentrations of each cytokine. We additionally applied Bayesian kernel machine regression to describe the combined effect of the PFAS mixture on each cytokine outcome.Results: Certain PFAS concentrations in this sample were elevated compared to a US nationally representative sample; median levels of PFHxS, ΣPFOS and ΣPFOA in this sample were 13.8, 2.1 and 1.7 times higher, respectively, than medians observed in the U.S.Sample: Higher concentrations of multiple PFASs were significantly associated with lower odds of detectable IL-1β. Weaker associations were observed with other cytokines. In general, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids had inverse associations with TNF-α, whereas the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids showed positive associations.Conclusions: We observed preliminary evidence of altered inflammatory profiles among adults with elevated serum concentrations of PFASs due to contaminated drinking water. Modifications to inflammatory pathways may be one mechanism by which PFAS exposures produce adverse health effects in humans, but this finding requires verification in longitudinal studies as well as phenotypic anchoring to immune function outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Removal of perfluoroalkyl acids by GAC and NF was evaluated. [•] Virgin and fouled NF270 membranes were tested using artificial groundwater. [•] Multiple carbons tested using rapid small scale column tests with and without DOM. [•] NF270 had >93% removal of all PFAAs during all experiments. [•] Carbon performance varied based on type, water chemistry, and sorbate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Life cycle assessment showed trade-offs in environmental impacts for ion exchange. • Impacts of disposal of waste regeneration solution dominated by incineration. • Impacts were sensitive to amount incinerated and incineration waste type. • Recycling the solvent or brine fraction of regeneration solution decreased impacts. • Alternative salts for regeneration had lower impacts than incineration. Although anion exchange resin (AER) treatment is considered an effective technology for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from impacted water, the environmental impacts associated with AER regeneration have not been systematically explored. In particular, the trade-offs of altering the composition of the regeneration solution and disposing of or recycling the waste regeneration solution are not known. To fill these important gaps in the literature, this research conducted a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of an AER-based PFAS remediation system with different regeneration scenarios including disposing of waste regeneration solution via incineration, reusing the organic cosolvent and brine fractions of the waste regeneration solution, and altering the composition of the regeneration solution to avoid organic cosolvent or NaCl. The results show that disposing of waste regeneration solution via incineration, without recycling organic cosolvent or brine, had the greatest environmental impact, and that incineration accounted for the greatest impact among contributing processes. Recycling of the cosolvent (or cosolvent and brine) fraction of the waste regeneration solution resulted in lower environmental impacts due to reduced mass of waste disposed of via incineration. Replacing NaCl in the brine with an alternative salt resulted in higher environmental impacts, with salts derived from chemical production, such as ammonium chloride and potassium carbonate, showing the largest increases in impacts. The results of this research highlight the importance of understanding the fate of PFASs during incineration, and the need for PFAS destruction technologies that can be coupled to AER regeneration to avoid incineration. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combination of NF and UV-sulfite more cost effective PFAS degradation method. • NF effective technology to concentrate (> 10x) and reject PFASs (∼95%). • Faster UV-sulfite degradation in alkaline pH 11.2. • UV-sulfite degradation of all PFCAs < 2 h and PFOS < 4 h in NF reject. • Treatment train EE/O ≤ 13.1 kWh/m3 for all PFCAs and 14.1 kWh/m3 for PFOS. Previous laboratory scale studies indicate nanofiltration (NF) and UV-sulfite photochemical treatments as promising technologies for the removal and destruction, respectively, of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from contaminated water. This study reports on a field demonstration of a pilot-scale hybrid NF and UV-sulfite treatment train for the remediation of 12 PFASs detected in groundwater impacted by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) at a U.S. Department of Defense installation. For most of the detected PFASs, NF rejection was consistently ≥ 95% over a 30-day field trial when operating at 90% total permeate recovery. Rejection of short-chain perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) by NF decreased when recoveries increased from 90 to 97%; tests with a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane showed ≥ 99% rejection of all PFASs regardless of increasing recovery. UV treatment of the NF reject following 90% permeate recovery resulted in variable destruction of individual PFASs, with rates also being dependent on pH and the identity and concentration of UV photosensitizer. Rates of perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) degradation were greater than those measured for PFSAs and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors and were independent of perfluoroalkyl chain length. In contrast, rates of PFSA degradation increased with increasing chain length. Consistent levels of PFAS degradation by UV-sulfite were observed during a 30-day demonstration experiment in NF reject water amended with 10 mM sulfite and adjusted to pH 11.2. Collectively, > 75% of the detected PFAS mass in the NF reject was destroyed after 4 h of UV treatment, increasing to > 90% after 8 h of treatment. An analysis of electrical energy inputs for the hybrid NF/UV-sulfite treatment train showed energy per order magnitude (EE/O) requirements ranging from ≤ 13.1 kWh/m3 for PFCAs and 14.1 kWh/m3 for PFOS to values > 100 kWh/m3 for more recalcitrant short-chain PFSA analogues. The UV reactor and water-cooling system were the major contributors to overall energy requirements and represent the greatest opportunities for improving efficiency of the technology. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]