Search

Due to potential adverse effects and bioaccumulation in biota and humans, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have raised wide attention in recent years. Ingestion is a vital pathway for PFASs to transmit to humans especially through water and fish. In present study, PFASs in water and fish from the drinking water source of Beijing in China were investigated. Three layers of water were collected in order to find the connection between concentrations of PFASs and depth of water, which showed no prominent correlation. PFASs in water from Miyun Reservoir with concentrations of 5.30–8.50 ng/L, were relatively lower compared with other reports on raw drinking water. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the dominant PFASs. In addition, six species of fish (including C yprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, Erythroculter dabryi, Pseudohemiculter dispar , Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Siniperca chuatsi) were analyzed, with concentrations of PFASs ranging from 1.70 to 14.32 ng/g wet weight (w.w.). Due to relatively stronger bioaccumulation potential, long chain perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs) were detected with higher concentrations, especially perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of PFASs through drinking water and fish consumption were 0.20–0.34 and 3.44–12.61 ng/kg bw/day based on Exposure Factors Handbook of Chinese Population , respectively. In addition, the EDI of high-priority concern PFASs via pork, chicken and dust were also calculated, with value of 0.015–0.043, 0.003–0.013 and 0.074–0.390 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. The total EDI of PFOS and PFOA via diverse pathways were less than suggested tolerable daily intake (PFOS, 150 ng/kg bw/day; PFOA, 1500 ng/kg bw/day), indicating that the detected levels would not cause severe health effects on Beijing residents. Image 1 • PFBA and PFOA were dominant PFASs in water from drinking water source of Beijing. • Exposure of PFBA, PFDA and PFUdA were the highest due to consumption of fish. • Exposure risk of PFASs via fish was the highest, followed by dust and water. • The human intake of PFASs for different age groups were 3.74–13.40 ng/kg bw/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important in the migration and transformation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water bodies. Six municipal WWTPs located in the upper reaches of the Guanting reservoir, along the Yanghe River, were sampled from November 2016 to July 2017. Influents, effluents, and activated sludge solutions were sampled and the concentrations of 17 PFASs were analyzed. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), Perfluorobutane sulfonat (PFBS) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) accounted for more than 90% of these. Seasonal variations in PFASs in influent directly influenced concentrations in supernatant and effluent. The annual average PFAS concentrations were 46.4, 45.1, and 38.5 ng L−1 in influent, supernatant, and effluent, respectively, indicating that WWTPs do not efficiently remove PFASs from wastewater. Annual average PFAS removal efficiencies differed among WWTPs, were influenced primarily by the treatment process used at each, and followed the order Cyclic Activated Sludge System (CASS, 32.2%) > Orbal Oxidation Ditch (OD, 17.5%) > Anaeroxic–Anoxic–Oxic (A2/O, −1.49%). Short-chain PFASs were removed significantly more efficiently in the CASS compared to the other systems. These results can show how traditional wastewater treatment plants can help remove PFASs from the environment. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Perfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in influent drove seasonal variations. • Three treatment processes to remove PFASs from wastewater varied in efficiency. • The cyclic activated sludge system was the most efficient system for PFASs removal. • PFBA was the dominant compound in wastewater accounting for >50% of total PFASs. Short-chain PFASs dominated more than 70% of the total PFAS concentrations in studied influent, CASS had higher PFAS removal efficiency than OD and A2/O did. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has been the largest producer and emitter of perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts (PFOA/PFO). However, the flows of PFOA/PFO from manufacture and application to the environment are indistinct, especially flows from waste treatment sites to the environment. Here, a life cycle analysis of PFOA/PFO is conducted in which all major flows of PFOA/PFO have been characterized for 2012. Processes related to uses and possible releases of PFOA/PFO include manufacture and use, waste management, and environmental storage. During manufacture and use, emission from application was the most important (117.0 t), regardless of whether it flowed first to waste treatment facilities or was directly released to the environment, followed by manufacture of PFOA/PFO (3.9 t), while flows from the service life and end of life of consumer products were the lowest (1.2 t). Among five waste treatment routes, flows through wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were the highest (10.6 t), which resulted in 12.8 t of PFOA/PFO being emitted into the environment. Masses of PFOA/PFO emission were estimated to be 96.3 t to the hydrosphere, 25.6 t to the atmosphere, and 3.2 t to soils. Therefore, control over reduction of PFOA/PFO should focus on application of reliable alternatives and emission reduction from WWTPs using effective treatment techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and the bacterial community composition along the Xiaoqing River were explored with HPLC-MS/MS and Illumina high-throughput sequencing in present study. The results showed that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the predominant PFAAs in all sediment samples, and high level of PFOA could lead to an evident increase in the abundance of Thiobacillus. Thiobacillus was identified with the survival ability in high concentrations of PFOA accordingly. Therefore, Thiobacillus thioparus and Thiobacillus denitrificans were selected as receptors to design indoor biosorption experiment. The growth curves under different PFOA concentrations and residual rates of PFOA in the processes of cultivation were analyzed. The results showed that upwards concentrations of PFOA below 5000 ng/L led to an obvious increase in the growth rate of T. thioparus . Whereas PFOA promoted the growth of T. denitrificans in a relatively limited range of concentration, and the effect was not obvious. The addition of different concentrations of PFOA had no apparent effects on pH values in the media of both T. thioparus and T. denitrificans . The concentrations of PFOA in liquid media reduced after the process of bacteria culturing. The removal rates of T. thioparus and T. denitrificans to PFOA were 21.1–26.8% and 13.5–18.4%, respectively. The current findings indicated that T. thioparus could play a significant role as potential biosorbent with the ability to eliminate PFOA effectively in aquatic environment, which would provide novel information for PFOA ecological decontamination and remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the concentrations and proportions of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water and sediments (in different seasons) from the Qing River were investigated. The highest concentration of PFASs in water (207.59 ng L −1 ) was found in summer. The composition of PFASs in water changed with time, perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) was the predominant compound in spring and summer, while long-chain PFASs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), started to increase in autumn and winter. The PFASs concentration in sediments ranged from 0.96 to 4.05 ng g −1 dw. The proportion of long-chain PFASs was higher than that of short-chain PFASs in sediments, the dominant component in sediments was PFOA with a contribution of 24.6–75.4% to total PFASs in sediments, followed by PFOS. The concentrations of PFASs in roots of emergent plants were relatively higher than those in submerged plants. However, the translocation effect of PFASs was not remarkable. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of the aquatic plants indicated the absorption of PFASs were effective. BAFs in submerged plants basically increased with increasing chain length accordingly. In general, aquatic plants had the absorption preference for long-chain PFASs, especially PFOS, which was the predominant compounds in both submerged and emergent plants. Based on the results above, hornworts were selected to be cultivated indoor in the nutrient solution spiked gradient concentrations of PFOS to assess the general ecological risk. The results revealed that hornworts were resistant to PFOS and might be used as remediation flora to eliminate PFOS contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After global commercialization of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) as substitutes to conventional long-chain PFAAs by the major manufacturers, two fluorine industry parks for production of short-chain PFAAs located in the Daling River Basin of northern China have developed rapidly in the last few years. This study provides a systematic assessment of sources, emissions, transportation, and potential risks of the PFAAs in this area. The C4 perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) were the predominant short-chain PFAAs in river water, with maximum concentrations of 2.90 and 1.35 μg/L, respectively. Park 1 equipped with a telomerization process was identified to be the source of linear and branched mixtures of PFBS, PFBA, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), while park 2 with an electrochemical fluorination process (ECF) was identified to be the source of linear and branched mixtures of PFBS and PFOA. Partition coefficients between water and sediment were consistent for C4-C8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) but directly proportional to C9-C11 PFCAs and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs). Analysis on the health risk of PFBS and PFBA suggested that they were not without risk since short chain PFAAs are known to be recalcitrant during water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we investigated concentrations and composition profiles of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in surface water from the Daling River in different seasons. The highest concentration of ΣPFASs (9540 ng L) and dominant homologues were found in surface water collected in summer. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the dominant PFASs in four seasons with a total contribution of over 90 %. The discharge of two fluorine chemical industry parks was predicted to be the main contamination source of PFASs in the study area. The daily and annual mass flows were calculated according to data of detected PFAS concentrations and water discharge, and the annual mass loading of PFASs into the Bohai Sea from the Daling River reached to 461 kg year. Hazard assessment indicated that concentrations of PFASs in study area had little risk to aquatic organisms and wildlife. However, the multiple health risk would be relatively high if the water was served as drinking water in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] 133 Serum samples were collected from inland China aged 0–88years for analysis. [•] Compared with coastal region, the levels and composition of PFCs were different. [•] Significant increases in PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS concentrations over age were found. [•] Median concentrations of 4 PFCs were higher in males than in females. [•] Higher PFOA concentrations were found in urban populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been used in a variety of products for many years and have been detected worldwide in human serum. Previous studies have suggested the potential effects of PFAAs on serum lipids. To investigate the associations between serum concentrations of PFAAs and serum lipid levels, 133 participants were randomly selected from the people coming for health check-up in Yuanyang Red Cross Hospital of Henan, China. Linear regression analysis revealed that perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), with a median concentration of 1.43, 0.37, and 0.19ng/mL, respectively, were positively associated with total cholesterol (TC). Those in the highest quartile of PFOA exposure had ln-TC levels 0.24mmol/L higher than those in the lowest quartile. For PFNA and PFDA, effect estimates were 0.25 and 0.16mmol/L, respectively. A positive association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and PFDA was found, and there was a 0.18mmol/L increase of HDLC for the top PFDA quartile compared with the lowest quartile. PFOA and PFNA were positively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). Ln-LDLC levels of people in both top PFOA and PFNA quartiles were 0.33mmol/L higher than those in the lowest quartiles. Logistic regression analysis indicated that increased PFOA and PFOS quartiles were positively associated with an increased risk of abnormal TC and LDLC when controlling for no confounding factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were analyzed in surface soils along the Koshi River in Nepal, a typical agricultural country with little industrialization and urbanization. Sixteen target PFASs were quantified in soils from a hilly region in central and eastern Nepal, but only ten PFASs were detected. Concentrations of total PFASs ranged from nd (below the detection limit) to 1.78 ng/g dw. The predominant PFASs in soils were perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-butanesulfonate (PFBS) with concentrations that ranged from nd to 0.26 ng/g dw and nd to 0.38 ng/g dw, respectively. Results of mass balance analysis also revealed weak associations among concentrations of PFASs, extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and total fluorine (TF). PFASs were relatively evenly distributed among locations. Due to the absence of direct emission of PFASs and slow development of local industry, PFASs in soils originated mostly from long-range atmospheric transport, consumer use, and disposal of PFASs-containing products. Uncontrolled disposal of domestic waste will be a challenge to controlling concentrations of PFASs in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: With the shift of manufacturing plants from more industrialized countries to China, occurrences of Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the environment has attracted more attention. Concentrations of PFCs in 14 soils collected from the coast of Liaodong Bay were determined and spatial distributions used to identify potential sources of PFCs. A mass balance approach was introduced to quantify concentrations of Total Fluorine (TF) and Extractable Organic Fluorine (EOF). Concentrations of ∑PFCs ranged from

Abstract: Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water, sediment, soil, and biota collected from estuarine and coastal areas of the north Bohai Sea, China, were determined by use of HPLC-MS/MS. Significant concentrations of PFCs were found in water (mean: 18.4ng/l) and biologic samples (fish: 265ng/g dw), while concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were less. The predominately detected compound was perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), with a maximum concentration of 30.9ng/l in water and 791ng/g dw in fish. Concentrations of PFCs were significantly greater in the Liaohe River system than other locations, which suggests point sources in this urbanized and industrialized region. PFOS concentrations in water and biota were both less than the reported threshold concentrations. Detection of PFCs at relatively great concentrations in various environmental matrices from this region suggested that further studies characterizing concentrations of PFCs, their sources and potential risk to both humans and wildlife are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Concentrations of 12 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in 21 representive water, sediment and soil samples from Guanting Reservoir and vicinity. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the predominant PFCs with concentrations of 0.55-2.3 ng/L,

Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in water and sediment from coastal Bohai Bay and surrounding rivers flowing into the bay. Of the 15 PFCs measured, PFOS and PFOA were detected with the greatest frequency. Concentrations in water ranged from<0.2 to 31 ng·L-1 and<1.0 to 82 ng·L-1 for PFOS and PFOA, respectively. Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in sediments ranged from<0.1 to 2.0 ng·g-1 dw and<0.1 to 0.5 ng·g-1 dw, respectively. Concentrations of PFCs in Bohai Bay were less than those observed in other areas in Asia, but greater concentrations of ∑PFCs were observed in the Dalin River with concentrations increasing from upstream to downstream, and the greatest concentrations in sediment were observed in tidal flats. The ratio of ∑PFCs in sediment and water indicated that sediment could serve as a significant sink for PFUnA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased anthropogenic activities have caused contamination of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in lakes worldwide. However, how to remediate their contamination remains unclear. In this study, a heavily polluted lake, Baiyangdian Lake in China, was selected to investigate current PFASs levels in multimedia, stimulate their transport fate based upon an optimized fugacity model, and finally identify appropriate remediation pathways. From 2008–2019, the average concentrations of PFASs in the lake increased approximately 7–40 times in the environment and biota. Spatially, with continuous import of perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), barring fish, a noticeable north-south difference was distinguished in the PFASs composition in multimedia from the lake. Based on the optimized fugacity model simulation, the water phase was the primary transport path (~76.5%) for PFASs, with a total flux of 333 kg y-1. Compared with bioaccumulation fluxes in submerged plants (6.2 kg y-1), emerged plants (2.6 kg y-1), and fish (1.1 kg y-1), the exchange flux of PFASs between water and sediment remained high (~94 kg y-1). Considering remediation cost, sediment cleaning is currently the most cost-effective pathway, while harvesting submerged plant could be a promising pathway in the future. This study provides a basis for remediating PFASs-polluted lakes on a global scale. [Display omitted] • A rapid increase of PFAS contamination was found in multimedia in Baiyangdian Lake. • QWASI model was optimized by considering organism phase to predict PFAS transport. • Source control is the top priority for preventing PFAS contamination in the lake. • Sediment cleaning is the cost-effective approach in eliminating PFAS contamination. • Screening and breeding high-bioaccumulated plant is a promising remediation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has gradually become the most important manufacturing and consumption centre for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the world, and inadvertently become the world's major contamination hotspots. However, a systematic analysis of pollution pathways for PFOS/PFOA into the different environmental compartments and their quantification in China has yet to be carried out. This study focused on PFOS and PFOA release into the environment in the central and eastern region of China, which accounts for the vast majority of national emission. About 80–90% of PFOS/PFOA contamination in the Chinese environment was estimated to come directly from manufacturing and industrial sites mostly via wastewater discharge from these facilities. The other major contamination sources for PFOS were identified as being linked to aqueous fire-fighting foams (AFFFs), and pesticides including sulfluramid. For PFOA, following some way behind industrial wastewater, were industrial exhaust gas, domestic wastewater and landfill leachate as contamination sources. For surface water contamination, the major pollution contributors after industrial wastewater were AFFF spill runoff for PFOS, and domestic wastewater and precipitation-runoff for PFOA. The majority of PFOS that contaminated soil was considered to be linked with infiltration of AFFF and pesticides, while most PFOA in soil was attributed to atmospheric deposition and landfill leachate. Where groundwater had become contaminated, surface water seepage was estimated to contribute about 50% of PFOS and 40% of PFOA while the remainder was mostly derived from soil leaching. A review of the available monitoring data for PFOS/PFOA in the literature supported the view that industrial wastewater, landfill leachate and AFFF application were the dominant sources. Higher concentrations of PFOA than PFOS found in precipitation also corroborated the prediction of more PFOA release into air. To reduce PFOS/PFOA contamination of the Chinese environment the focus for control should be on industrial wastewater emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]