Passive sampler designed for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances using polymer‐modified organosilica adsorbent

Abstract

A passive sampler designed to measure per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was evaluated to determine chemical uptake rates under a variety of conditions. The sampler design is simple and robust, using organosilica modified with cross-linked amine polymer in an high density polyethylene housing retained with polypropylene mesh. The addition of amine groups as a weak ionexchange resin in combination with Cu 2+ was designed to promote binding of short-chain PFAS. A five-fold improvement in perfluorobutanoic acid adsorption was measured when Cu 2+ was added to the polyethylenimine polymer. The samplers showed an integrated response to all analytes tested except for shortchain PFAS. Sampling rates of PFAS analytes from simulated groundwater were on average 10 mL/day at flow rates of 0.038-1.9 cm/min. Relatively low variability in sampling rate was observed over the range of laboratory tested conditions (representing common conditions in environmental waters) including elevated ionic strength, sulfate concentration, and humic acid content.

PFAS are forever? The state of the science and research needs for analyzing and treating PFAS‐laden water

“…For sampling in the field, a demonstrated passive sampling technique would be extremely important because of the vagaries of PFAS concentrations seen in natural environments. Hartmann et al (2021) demonstrate a passive sampler that can be used for PFAS, including C 4 ‐C 9 perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) and C 4 , C 6 , and C 8 perfluorosulfonates (PFSAs) under a variety of solution conditions. The sampler uses a PFAS‐specific adsorbent tailored for both hydrophobic and IX interactions.…”

Polyfluoroalkyl substances requiring a renewed focus on groundwater‐surface water interactions

“…It is hypothesized that this stormwater has impacted portions of the aquifer with PFASs detected in the single ng/L range in both shallow and deep nearby domestic wells. PFAS‐optimized passive samplers (Hartmann et al 2021) placed in four nearby large springs (which are considered integrative discharge points for the aquifer) detected PFASs in all four springs at ∑PFAS concentrations from 4 to 52 ng/L. Information for this vignette provided by Trevor Osorno.…”

Advancing “Autonomous” sensing and prediction of the subsurface environment: a review and exploration of the challenges for soil and groundwater contamination

“…A range of soil and groundwater passive techniques were promoted and further developed for use with chlorinated compounds in urban redevelopment projects in Europe (CityChlor 2013 ). There have also been recent advances for PFAS passive samplers using specialist modified sorbents (Hale et al 2021 ; Hartmann et al 2021 ).…”